Addiction Counselor

At DAP Health, we are committed to transforming lives and advancing health equity for all. As a leading nonprofit health care provider, we deliver compassionate, high-quality care to the diverse communities of the Coachella Valley and San Diego County. Our comprehensive services range from primary care to mental health, wellness programs, and beyond, with a focus on those who are most vulnerable. Joining our team means becoming part of a passionate, innovative organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. If you're looking for a dynamic and purpose-driven environment, we invite you to explore the opportunity to contribute to our mission.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Job Summary

The Addiction Counselor is a role within the Client Wellness Center which provides structured outpatient substance use disorder counseling and support for clients including people living with HIV who are receiving Ryan White-funded services. This role delivers evidence-based, trauma-informed care through screening, assessment, individual and group counseling, treatment planning, and care coordination. The addiction counselor works collaboratively with a

multidisciplinary team to with an overarching goal to support clients in strengthening HIV treatment adherence by addressing substance use, improving overall wellness, and remaining engaged in, or re-entering medical care. The Ryan White Substance Abuse Treatment Program is a newly implemented service at DAP

Health. The Addiction counselor will be supported by the Wellness team in launching a curriculum-based outpatient program.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• The Addiction Counselor will have flexibility to revise the outpatient program curriculum to meet the needs of the population and to complement the expertise of the Addiction Counselor
• The Addiction Counselor must be willing to strategize with the team to implement treatment sessions that integrate psychosocial topics related to those living with HIV,identifying as LGBTQ+, or who have a primary addiction related to chemsex
• Awareness of, and willingness to use multiple strategies that meet clients' needs, including individual counseling, group counseling, or harm reduction tools
• Participate in additional specialty training to enhance services offered to clients and patients. This will include mandatory SMART Recovery facilitator training, and optional training may include Seeking Safety, Freedom from Smoking, or other evidenced based programs which meet community and patient demands
• Participate in case conferencing and ensuring treatment planning reflects client-driven goals, referrals, and follow-up needs.
• Develop individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients within 30 Day calendar days of initial assessment, including measurable goals, interventions, timelines, service frequency, and referral/linkage needs; review and update plans at least every six months or more often as clinically indicated
• Provide outpatient substance use counseling in individual and group settings, including documentation of service, goals, progress, group topic or focus, participants, duration, modality, and outcomes as applicable
• Integrate harm reduction principles into service delivery, including client education, when appropriate, and nonjudgmental support for clients in varying stages of change
• Coordination of alternative care, if necessary, which may include medication assisted treatment, in-patient treatment, and mental health treatment
• Assist clients with resource navigation, connecting individuals to relevant community services and support
• Support relapse prevention by helping clients identify high-risk situations, triggers, coping strategies, and recovery plans that reinforce sustained engagement in care.
• Act as the liaison between the 12-Step community and the Wellness Center, including scheduling onsite meetings and communicating any facility closures that will affect meeting schedule
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ensure compliance with licensing requirements, ethical standards, HIPAA, and program policies
• Maintain an understanding of Motivational Interviewing techniques as it relates to promoting readiness to change
• Knowledge of addiction, varying recovery models, and co-occurring disorders
• Strong documentation, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Staff must demonstrate knowledge of the intersection of HIV, substance use, mental health, stigma, and social determinants of health, and the impact of substance use on HIV treatment adherence and engagement in care.

Education and Experience

• Required Certification: One of the following active, California recognized substance use counseling credential appropriate to their scope of practice is required:

• Entry Level: CADC-I, or comparably credentialed in California such as SUDCC or CATC-I

• Intermediate Level: CADC-II, SUDCC II, or CATC-II

• Advanced Level: CADC-III, SUDCC III, or CATC-III

• Group facilitation experience

• Experience and skills sufficient to use community resources necessary for independent living and to teach these skills to clients

• Current BLS certification obtained through the American Heart Association, American Red Cross or American Safety and Health Institute is required; must obtain within 90 days of hire

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• This position is on-site at DAP Health Sunrise; however, occasional travel to other clinics for collaborative care may be incorporated
• Requires current and valid driver's license and current personal auto insurance
• Able to travel to DAP Health locations throughout San Diego and Riverside
• Ability to lift 24 pounds
• Operates in an office setting and requires frequent times of sitting, standing, repetitive motion and talking