Licensed Addiction Counselor

Job Title: Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC) – 2.1 Outpatient

Type and FLSA Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Reports To: Clinical Director

Last updated: 09.2026

Salary - $23 - $31 per hour

ABOUT HER CAMPAIGN

HER Campaign is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by substance use disorders, trauma, and co-occurring mental health needs, including survivors of human trafficking. Since our founding in 2016, HER Campaign has supported individuals through crisis intervention, stabilization, and various stages of recovery and restoration.

Our mission is to empower individuals to heal, grow, and discover purpose through a continuum of care that integrates safe environments, trauma-informed practices, therapeutic support, spiritual support, and community connection. We are committed to creating environments where individuals can stabilize physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually while being supported in their journey toward healing, recovery, and long-term restoration.

Rooted in the belief that “Hospitality Comes First,” HER Campaign fosters a culture of dignity, respect, compassion, accountability, and excellence. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with honor and provided with the support, resources, and opportunities necessary to pursue healing and a future of hope.

Through its affiliated licensed entities, HER Campaign supports the development and operation of substance use disorder and related supportive services designed to meet the needs of individuals with substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occurring mental health needs. Programs may also serve individuals with trauma histories and other complex needs, including survivors of human trafficking. Services are provided through appropriately licensed entities in accordance with applicable state licensing requirements, regulatory standards, payer requirements, and evidence-based practices, including the ASAM Criteria when applicable.

HER Campaign provides mission alignment, organizational leadership, administrative infrastructure, and operational support to strengthen the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate, and person-centered services across its programs and locations.

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

HER Campaign supports trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, and holistic recovery environments that recognize the integration of mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.

Programs are designed to meet individuals where they are and provide appropriate support based on their needs, goals, level of care, and recovery journey. Services are delivered in a manner that promotes dignity, safety, accountability, personal responsibility, connection, and hope.

Licensed substance use disorder services are provided through affiliated licensed entities in accordance with applicable state licensing requirements, regulatory standards, payer requirements, and evidence-based practices, including the ASAM Criteria when applicable.

Spiritual support may be incorporated into services and activities consistent with the individual's preferences and goals. Participation in spiritual activities is voluntary and client-centered.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), reporting to the Clinical Director, provides clinical substance use disorder treatment in licensed behavioral health programs. The LAC provides screening, comprehensive substance use assessments, ASAM multidimensional assessments, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, discharge planning, and ongoing clinical services for individuals with substance use disorders, co-occurring behavioral health conditions, and histories of human trafficking and trauma. All services are provided under the clinical supervision of the Clinical Director and in accordance with ASAM Criteria, Montana licensing requirements, Medicaid requirements, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Assessments and Treatment Planning

• Conduct intake and ASAM assessments for clients to identify substance use and mental health needs and create individualized treatment plans.

• Complete biopsychosocial assessments, ASAM multidimensional assessments (Dimensions 1–6), individualized treatment plans, continuing care plans, and required clinical reassessments in accordance with program policy and applicable regulations.

• Provide direct therapeutic interventions, including individual, group, and crisis therapy, to outpatient clients.

• Coordinate with external mental health providers as needed for specialized care.

• Ensure SUD and mental health services are trauma-informed, culturally competent, and aligned with HER Campaign’s mission.

• Monitor and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the Clinical Director and clients.

• Track client progress and maintain detailed clinical documentation, including data reports on mental health and treatment outcomes.

Therapeutic Services

• Provide individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention services in outpatient settings.

• Apply evidence-based, trauma-informed clinical interventions appropriate to SUD and co-occurring disorders.

• Coordinate with external psychiatric, medical, and specialty providers as needed.

• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and provide clinical recommendations regarding client progress, barriers to treatment, level-of-care needs, referrals, transitions in care, and discharge based upon ASAM Criteria and clinical judgment.

Crisis and Risk Management

• Provide clinical response to escalated behavioral or emotional crises occurring within the outpatient program or in connection with client services.

• Assess risk and implement appropriate clinical interventions within scope of licensure.

• Collaborate with staff on de-escalation strategies and safety planning.

• Document all critical incidents in accordance with policy and regulatory requirements.

• Complete clinical safety assessments, suicide risk assessments, relapse risk assessments, and safety planning as clinically indicated and within the scope of licensure.

• Coordinate referrals to higher or more appropriate levels of care when clinically indicated.

Direct Clinical Care & Client Support

• Provide direct, trauma-informed clinical services and ongoing support to clients in individual and group settings within an outpatient treatment environment.

• Maintain a safe, respectful, and empowering therapeutic environment for all clients, ensuring trauma-informed practices are upheld at all times in coordination with clinical staff and the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

• Facilitate educational sessions, psychoeducation, and therapeutic group activities as assigned under the direction of the Clinical Director or designee.

• Assist clients in implementing personalized continuing care and treatment plans in alignment with clinically developed goals.

• Provide clinical support during scheduled outpatient program hours and participate in crisis response responsibilities in accordance with program policy and supervisory direction.

• Provide observational and clinical feedback to the treatment team regarding client engagement, behavior, progress, barriers to treatment, and response to interventions to support ongoing treatment planning.

Trauma-Informed Training & Capacity Building

• Lead trauma-informed care training internally for staff and support training efforts externally in the broader community under the direction of the Clinical Director.

• Partner with the Clinical Director to equip clinical and non-clinical staff with tools to address complex trauma and support consistent application of trauma-informed practices.

• Facilitate workshops, seminars, or presentations for community partners, schools, and organizations.

• Develop ongoing education materials aligned with HER Campaign’s trauma-informed values, in collaboration with clinical leadership.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Represent HER Campaign on local and regional task forces, coalitions, and committees related to mental health, trafficking, substance use, or trauma care as assigned.

• Cultivate partnerships with other service providers, government agencies, and advocacy groups in coordination with organizational leadership.

• Stay current on industry trends and contribute to discussions supporting policy development and advocacy work impacting survivors, as directed by leadership.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with the Clinical Director to ensure a holistic approach to clients' care, balancing clinical, functional, and medical needs within the outpatient level of care.

• Act as a clinical liaison between external service providers and the HER Campaign team, ensuring coordinated care for clients.

• Contribute to the development of program policies, ensuring mental health components align with HER Campaign’s vision and values.

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure all SUD and mental health services comply with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as HER Campaign’s internal policies.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, case files, and reports for each client in compliance with confidentiality laws, including HIPAA.

• Monitor and report on clinical outcomes.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, Montana licensing requirements, Medicaid documentation standards, and organizational policies.

• Participate in clinical audits, case reviews, and quality assurance processes.

• Participate in utilization review, clinical case consultation, QAPI activities, and documentation audits to support quality improvement and regulatory compliance.

MDT Collaboration

• Work closely with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to ensure an integrated approach to each client's care, with a focus on medical, mental, emotional, and recovery needs.

• Maintain regular communication with the MDT to ensure care plans are implemented smoothly and effectively.

• Provide clinically relevant components to staff training.

• Develop and maintain community partnerships.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Time management and ability to meet deadlines.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask.

• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Proactivity and self-direction.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Relate to and effectively work with individuals who have experienced trauma and trafficking in a professional and respectful manner.

• Ability to maintain extreme confidentiality regarding the organization, clients, and staff members.

• Communication and teamwork: ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. Communicate effectively to produce clear, concise, and accurate correspondence, presentations, and reports.

• Efficiency and Effectiveness: plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate workflow. Work independently and meet multiple deadlines. Attention to detail with accuracy. Ability to set priorities and work independently.

• Adaptability to changes and problem-solving skills: to define problems, collect data, analyze and establish facts and draw valid conclusions, deal with abstract and concrete variables. High ethical standards and values, demonstrated with good judgment.

• Software skills: Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Google-based applications, database management, and management of system portals.

• Commitment to service: expectation to achieve the highest standards of personal and professional work performance in commitment to serving survivors of human trafficking and HER Campaign’s staff and directors. Ability to work in a team, be honest and transparent, show respect and care for diversity on a daily basis.

• Must successfully complete a criminal history background check. Individuals with findings involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual offenses, human trafficking, or violent offenses may be ineligible for employment based on an employment fitness determination.

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION

Required:

• * Current Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Montana.

• * Meets Montana education and supervised experience requirements for LAC licensure (minimum Associate or Bachelor’s degree with completion of required addiction counseling education).

• * Minimum 1–2 years post-licensure experience in substance use disorder, behavioral health, or co-occurring treatment settings, including experience working with individuals with complex trauma histories.

Preferred:

• Experience with:

  • Survivors of human trafficking.

  • Complex PTSD / developmental trauma.

  • Co-occurring SUD + mental health disorders.

  • High-acuity outpatient, crisis, or behavioral health services.

• Experience in:

  • Outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient services, community-based behavioral health, or other ambulatory treatment settings.

  • Case management within high-need or vulnerable populations.

  • Completing ASAM multidimensional assessments and providing clinical services within outpatient or intensive outpatient behavioral health treatment settings preferred.

Training and Health Requirements

Employee must complete required onboarding and ongoing training as a condition of employment, including but not limited to:

• Trauma-informed care training and application in clinical practice.

• Crisis intervention/de-escalation training (CPI or equivalent).

• CPR and First Aid certification (must remain current).

• Program-specific clinical, documentation, and compliance training.

Employee must also meet the following conditions of employment:

• Successful completion of all required background checks, including criminal background, registry checks, and exclusion list screening as applicable.

• Negative tuberculosis (TB) screening prior to or upon hire, with ongoing testing as required by program policy or public health guidance.

• If assigned to duties involving client transportation or driving on behalf of the program, employees must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and meet agency insurance requirements.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices for treating complex trauma.

• Excellent case management skills with the ability to manage complex, high-acuity client needs in an outpatient setting.

• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary clinical team.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to support staff education and contribute to training activities as part of clinical team development.

• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, motivational interviewing, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, co-occurring disorders, trauma-informed care, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and applicable Montana behavioral health licensing and Medicaid requirements.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position performs work in office, outpatient program, remote, telehealth, and community settings as assigned. The employee may be required to sit, stand, walk, travel between program locations, attend meetings, provide community-based services, and respond to operational or clinical needs consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, electronically, and through telehealth platforms; operate computers and electronic health record systems; review and prepare documentation; and respond appropriately to urgent or crisis situations requiring consultation, decision-making, or other responsibilities within the scope of the position.

The work environment may include exposure to emotionally intense situations involving individuals experiencing trauma, substance use disorders, mental health concerns, or behavioral health crises. The employee is expected to maintain professionalism, support safety practices, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and promote a trauma-informed environment.

EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER

This Position Description is intended to describe the general nature, scope, and level of work performed by this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or requirements associated with the position.

The Company reserves the right to modify this Position Description at any time based on organizational needs, program requirements, regulatory requirements, accreditation standards, or changes in professional practice.

This Position Description does not create an employment contract or alter the at-will employment relationship established under applicable law.

OTHER DUTIES

Employees may be assigned additional duties, responsibilities, or activities consistent with their position, qualifications, and scope of practice. Duties and responsibilities may change based on organizational needs, program requirements, regulatory requirements, or other operational considerations.

Employees are expected to support the mission, values, policies, procedures, standards of conduct, and compliance requirements of the company and its affiliated licensed entities, as applicable to their role.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, skills, experience, performance, and organizational needs without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

The Company is committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace that supports dignity, safety, and respect for all employees, clients, volunteers, and community partners.

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with Form I-9 information to confirm that individuals are authorized to work in the United States.