JOB DESCRIPTION – SUBSTANCE USE COUNSELOR ASAM Level 3.1 Residential & ASAM Level 1.0 Outpatient Services
Education & Licensure Requirements (Maryland) Candidate must meet one of the following Maryland licensing or certification requirements under the Health Occupations Article and COMAR 10.58 (Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists): Approved Substance Use Disorder Counseling Credentials:
CAC-AD – Certified Associate Counselor–Alcohol and Drug
CAC-AD (Supervised Practice) – Certified Associate Counselor–Alcohol and Drug (under approved supervision)
LMSW / LCSW-C (with SUD training or experience) – Licensed Master Social Worker or Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical
LGPC / LCPC (with SUD competency/training) – Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LCMFT – Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (with SUD competency)
LCADC – Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (if applicable pathway is held/recognized)
Other Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists–approved SUD credentials or permits
Trainee / Supervised Status (if applicable):
ADT (Alcohol and Drug Trainee) status under approved Board supervision
Must be actively progressing toward full licensure or certification in good standing
Preferred Licensure (Ideal Candidate Profile) Preference is given to candidates who hold one of the following independent clinical licenses:
LCPC – Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
LCSW-C – Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical
LCMFT – Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist
LCADC – Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
These licenses allow for independent clinical practice and supervision eligibility, including supervision of ADTs and other clinical trainees when Board-approved.
Reports To Clinical Supervisor
Position Summary The Substance Use Counselor provides comprehensive, client-centered substance use disorder treatment services within ASAM Level 3.1 Residential and ASAM Level 1.0 Outpatient programs. The Counselor is responsible for clinical assessment, diagnosis support, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, documentation, and coordination of care in compliance with COMAR, ASAM Criteria, and The Joint Commission standards.
Core Duties and Responsibilities 1. Intake, Assessment & Clinical Evaluation
Collect and evaluate information for admissions
Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments
Apply ASAM Criteria for level of care determination
Screen clients for risk of harm to self or others
Identify co-occurring mental health needs and refer for psychiatric evaluation when indicated
Collaborate with clients to establish goals and objectives
Conduct treatment plan reviews per COMAR and ASAM standards
Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation
Prepare discharge summaries in accordance with regulatory requirements
3. Therapeutic Services
Provide individual counseling services
Facilitate group therapy sessions
Provide family counseling when authorized
Implement evidence-based substance use disorder treatment interventions
Support trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care models
4. Case Management & Care Coordination
Coordinate referrals to mental health, medical, and community services
Maintain communication with external providers with proper consent
Support continuity of care through all levels of treatment
Participate in discharge and aftercare planning
5. Clinical Programming & Milieu Support
Implement addiction treatment programming
Participate in therapeutic milieu activities
Support client engagement and retention in care
Participate in recreational and recovery-oriented activities
6. Documentation, Compliance & Utilization Review
Maintain complete and accurate client records
Submit group documentation by next business day (9:00 AM)
Submit individual session notes by end of business day Thursday
Complete insurance authorizations (e.g., Carelon or other payers) to avoid coverage lapse
Ensure compliance with COMAR, ASAM, and Joint Commission documentation standards
7. Team Participation & Communication
Participate in weekly treatment team meetings
Communicate client status updates to clinical leadership
Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members
Participate in clinical supervision sessions as required
8. Ethical & Professional Standards
Maintain ethical conduct consistent with Maryland licensing boards
Ensure confidentiality and HIPAA compliance
Maintain professional boundaries at all times
Participate in continuing education and competency development
9. Required Annual Competencies
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders
Trauma-Informed Care
De-escalation & Behavior Management
Suicide Risk Assessment
Ethics & Professional Boundaries
Clinical Documentation & Team Communication
10. Administrative Responsibilities
Maintain active licensure or certification in good standing
Comply with Maryland Board renewal and supervision requirements
Support program operations as needed
Other duties as assigned by Executive Leadership or designee
Required Competencies
Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills
Ability to provide individual, group, and family therapy
Knowledge of ASAM Criteria and SUD treatment standards
Strong documentation and organizational skills
Crisis awareness and de-escalation skills
Ability to function in a multidisciplinary treatment team
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Day shift
Monday to Friday
Flexible to accommodate group scheduling: 8:4:30, 9-5:30, 10-6:30.
This Job Is:
A job for which military experienced candidates are encouraged to apply
A “Fair Chance” job (you or the employer follow Fair Chance hiring practices when performing background checks)
The Ranch is a “Recovery is Good Business” gold star certified employer.
A good fit for applicants with gaps in their resume, or who have been out of the workforce for the past 6 months or more
COVID-19 considerations:
Flu-shots and COVID-19 vaccines are highly recommended. All clients are pre-screened and negative prior to full admission. All clients are recommended to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Work Location:
In person
Numbers & Facts
Location
FREDERICK, MD
Job Type
Full-time
Skills
Administrative Skillsunmatched
Aftercareunmatched
Case Managementunmatched
Clinical Assessmentunmatched
Clinical Competencyunmatched
Clinical Study Publicationsunmatched
Clinical Trialunmatched
Community and Social Servicesunmatched
Cross-Functionalunmatched
Customer Retention/Renewalunmatched
Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
Dental Insuranceunmatched
Documentationunmatched
Documentation Planunmatched
Documentation Standardsunmatched
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)unmatched
Health Insuranceunmatched
Insuranceunmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)unmatched
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)unmatched
Licensingunmatched
Maintain Complianceunmatched
Operational Supportunmatched
Outpatient Careunmatched
Patient Careunmatched
Psychiatry and Mental Healthunmatched
Quality of Careunmatched
Retirement Planunmatched
Riskunmatched
Risk Analysisunmatched
Set Goalsunmatched
Social Workunmatched
Team Playerunmatched
The Joint Commission (TJC)unmatched
Time Managementunmatched
Training/Teachingunmatched
Treatment Planunmatched
Tuition Feesunmatched
Vision Planunmatched
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