Substance Abuse Therapist

Purpose: The primary purpose of the Counselor is to maintain patient care within the 

Center by providing counseling services within the parameters of policy, state, and 

federal regulations and procedures. The counselor is an essential part of creating a 

safe and well-balanced environment for ReVIDA’s patients. Counselors will continue 

ReVIDA’s mission by treating the whole person and standing by our values.

The position creates an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, positive emphasis, 

and a calm attitude when visiting with staff, patients, and visitors.

Duties: 

Counselor-Dependent will work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team,

assist in complex problem solving with patients and work autonomously. They will

demonstrate excellent observation, good judgment, and communication skills. Must 

have the ability to provide well-written documentation promptly. They are skilled in 

conducting assessments, utilizing ASAM criteria for appropriate patient placement 

and continued to stay justification, treatment plan development and implementation,

service coordination, and crisis intervention. Knowledge of local community drug

trends, the effects on the body and cognitive functioning of drugs of abuse, signs,

and symptoms of opioid overdose, psychosocial implications of substance use

disorders, the process of addiction and treatment, social service, economic, legal, and

medical systems, HIV transmission-health, behavioral, and emotional implications of

addiction.

Physical, Emotional Demands, and Work Conditions:

•  Work is sedentary and ambulant with occasional physical exertion (lifting 30 or 

more pounds, walking, standing, etc.) ability to support patient weight in case 

of emergency or disability requiring assistance. Must be able to see, stoop, sit, 

stand, bend, reach, and be mobile (whether natural or with accommodation). 

•  Quality of hearing (whether natural or with accommodation) must be 

acceptable. Must be able to communicate both verbally and in writing. Must be

able to relate to and work with mentally and physically ill, disabled, emotionally 

upset, and hostile patients. Must be emotionally stable and exhibit the ability to 

display coping skills to deal with multiple situations. 

•  Risk of exposure to infections, bloodborne pathogens, and other potentially

infectious materials or contagious diseases. For this reason, "Universal

Precautions" must always be followed. The Counselor-Dependent should

understand, support, and comply with the established workplace violence, 

ADA, EEOC, and Corporate Compliance program and commit to worker safety, 

health, and patient safety. Subject to work schedule and shift changes. 

Supervision/Competency Evaluations:

•  Supervision and competency evaluations are provided through facility

monitoring activities, direct observation, staff meetings, in-services,

management meetings, individual meetings, Employee Improvement 

Process, reporting, interactions, strategic planning, outcomes, and annual 

competency review. 

Competencies:

•  Prepare and maintain accurate and timely patient files. Coordinate care of 

assigned patients and present patient status and concerns with the treatment

team accordingly.

•  Conducts comprehensive patient assessments and the development and 

implementation of patient treatment plans according to State OBOT 

regulations, CARF standards, and State Medicaid rules.

•  Provide clinical services, patient care, education, and opioid use disorder 

counseling services to patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder

as part of a larger, comprehensive treatment plan.

•  Conduct individual counseling sessions. Provide patient advocacy and liaison

services with community and regulatory agencies as needed and work with 

ReVIDA Care Coordinators to achieve these services. (State Opioid Treatment

Authority, Probation / Parole Office, housing, food, etc.) 

•  Monitor the condition of the patient to evaluate the success of the treatment 

plan, and adapt treatment as needed. Assist in program evaluation efforts that

describe and assess the quality of services. Comply with all Federal and

State regulatory standards as specified. Use toxicology test results to monitor 

the success of treatment and as a clinical tool to help better meet patient 

needs and assess for an increased level of care (decreased program

attendance); Never use toxicology test results in a punitive way. 

•  File various patient paperwork into the chart and keep the patient’s electronic 

chart complete and updated. Coordinates with medical professionals to 

facilitate intake and ongoing assessment amongst the larger multidisciplinary 

team. 

•  Document patient progress notes and ensures that frequencies and 

counseling units are met per company policy. Obtains ongoing, applicable 

supervision by licensed professionals who have approved supervisors in the

employee’s specific profession. Ability to handle stressful situations and 

interact with others. 

•  Must be present during working hours at the office for in-person meetings and 

access to a computer without violating company policy. Conduct patient 

intake and orients patients to the program. 

•  Compose interpretative summary, transition plan, and discharge summary for

each patient. Provide crisis intervention as needed. Attend staff meetings as 

directed by the RCD, CCO, and the individual’s Program Director. Assist in

program development activities. Participate in counseling supervision

sessions.

•  Support organizational and departmental philosophies, goals, and objectives

and, through own behavior, lead and motivate others to do so. Communicate

with RCD regarding pertinent patient information. Regular attendance is to be 

maintained. 

•  Adherence to ReVIDA Recovery’s company code of conduct is always 

expected. Meet or exceed delivery of Company Service Standards 

consistently. Interact with all staff in a positive and motivational fashion, 

supporting the Company’s mission, consistent with ReVIDA’s vision and 

values. 

•  Conduct all business activities professionally and ethically. Other duties, as

assigned by the Regional Clinical Director or Chief Clinical Officer. 

Adherence to the NAADAC Code of Ethics and any other Codes of Ethics for

the individual’s respective field.

Requirements:

• Education: Master of Social Work, Professional Counseling, or related field

without licensure who are working toward licensure (TN and VA), LMSW (TN

only),MSW with LSW (VA only), LPC without MHSP (TN only), or LMFT (TN

only).

• Experience: Have experience working with individuals with substance use

and other co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.

• License/certifications: Master of Social Work, Professional Counseling, or

related field without licensure who are working toward licensure (TN and

VA), LMSW (TN only),MSW with LSW (VA only), LPC without MHSP (TN only),

LMFT (TN only). Must have or obtain current certification in CPR and First Aid.

**VA ONLY**

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Addiction Studies,

or another helping professional with 120 hours of didactic training in substance

abuse counseling (VA).

• Experience: Must have experience working with individuals with substance use

and other co-occurring mental disorders.

• Licensure: Must be eligible to register with the Board of Virginia for Certified

Substance Abuse Counselor in Residency

Special Requirements: Required/Maintained state trainee status, intern,

registration, training standing, and associate level clinical licensure. Knowledge of

applicable State Code of Regulations and 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Section 8.12. Compliance with accepted professional standards and practices;

Adherence to the NAADAC Code of Ethics and any other Codes of Ethics for the

individual’s respective field.

Continuing Education & Professional Licensing/Certification Requirements:

Employee is expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be

requested and required by their immediate supervisor. In addition, the employee is

expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance

job-related skills and abilities. The employee must attend mandatory educational

programs and maintain current professional certifications as delineated above in their

state, in good standing.

While this job description is intended to reflect the job requirements,

management reserves the right to add or remove duties from jobs when

circumstances (e.g., emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs, or

technological developments) dictate. Furthermore, they do not establish an

employment contract and are subject to change at the employer’s discretion.