Substance Abuse Counselor

Job Description

Substance Abuse Counselor | Wesley Health Centers – JWCH Institute, Inc.

The Tone:
This is a Substance Abuse Counselor position at Wesley Health Centers – JWCH Institute, Inc., located at the Los Angeles General Recuperative Care Center on the Los Angeles General Medical Center campus in Los Angeles, CA. JWCH Institute is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of underserved populations in Los Angeles County. This role is crucial for providing essential individual and group counseling to unhoused clients, ensuring a high standard of care within state and county guidelines and upholding the organization’s mission to serve those most in need.

The TL;DR
• Role: Substance Abuse Counselor
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Los Angeles, CA

• Team: Collaborates with a multidisciplinary team including social work, medical providers, nursing, case management, and offsite partners.
• Mission: Provide quality substance abuse counseling and prevention services to unhoused clients residing in recuperative care.
• Tech Stack: NextGen, CHAMP

What You’ll Actually Do
• Collaborate effectively with social work, medical, nursing, and case management teams to ensure cohesive client care.
• Conduct intake assessments, establish client problem lists, and maintain accurate documentation within established timelines.
• Facilitate weekly individual counseling sessions and lead various group counseling sessions on topics like Matrix, Seeking Safety, and Relapse Prevention.
• Provide immediate support and intervention for clients in crisis, ensuring safety and connecting them to appropriate resources.
• Engage with clients’ families to provide education and support, fostering a collaborative approach to recovery.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Certified or Registered Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselor, accredited by a NCCA-recognized agency (CADTP or CCAPP), adhering to California Code of Regulations, Title 9, Chapter 8.
• Experience: One year of experience as a drug and alcohol counselor, with knowledge of trauma-informed treatment and evidence-based substance abuse treatment.
• Skills: Excellent written, oral, organizational, and documentation skills; ability to work within a team structure; valid California driver’s license with proof of insurance and an excellent driving record; current First Aid/CPR certification, physical exam, and tuberculosis test results.
• Bonus: Experience in outpatient treatment with minority, low-income, and disenfranchised populations; experience working with co-occurring disorders; knowledge of Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) and Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention Control (SAPC) system of care; bilingual capabilities in English and Spanish.