"Substance Use Disorder Treatment Counselor (Entry – Senior Level)"

Job Summary:

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Counselor provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment to adults who are living with SUD. This clinical position is responsible for performing counseling duties and will be supervised by a senior counselor, a Clinical Team Lead, and/or the Clinic Manager. This position will primarily work with patients who are participating in Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), referred from criminal justice programs, recovery courts, probation departments, and/or other referral sources (i.e. department of social services).

This position is required to share on-call and Saturday coverage duties. Evening hours may be necessary as well. Some positions are morning shifts (6:00am-2:30pm) and others may be day/afternoon shifts (10:30am-7:00pm).

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide assessments of clients for admission to treatment.
• Perform SUD evaluations.
• Complete patient intakes (new, returning, internal transfer, external transfer, etc.).
• Perform group, individual and family counseling.
• Use evidence-based practices for treating offenders and criminal-justice involved populations.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in patient charts.
• Develop and carry out individualized treatment plans and case management duties as needed to meet the needs of external sources as well as linking client's treatment progress to referral sources.
• Complete monthly billing report and statistics.
• Assess and collect fees from clients.
• Staff on-call shift rotations.
• Coverage of clinic front desk as needed.
• Work closely with problem solving courts, the Veterans Administration, Department of Social Services/Human Services, and/or other referral sources.
• Performing other work as assigned or required.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite at Adult Outpatient Clinics or the ARTS Medication Mobile Unit across the greater Metro Denver area.

Why Join Us:

Adult Outpatient Clinics for CU's ARTS team are leading the fight against substance use disorder (SUD) in the state. We have several clinics across the greater Metro Denver area including in Arvada, central Denver, and Aurora. Additionally, we have a new Medication Mobile Unit which delivers medication assisted treatments to the patients of our city. We are hiring across all locations. Joining this team not only sets you up for a long-term career within the university but also makes a lasting impact in our community.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry Level: Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. A combination of education and/or related technical or professional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis. Possess a valid registration in good standing with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as a Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPC-C), Social Worker Candidate (SW-C), Licensed Addiction Counselor Candidate (LAC-C), or Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFT-C).

Intermediate Level: Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. One (1) year of professional level experience in Mental Health, Behavioral Health or closely related field, case management, research of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or closely related field. Possess a valid registration in good standing with DORA as above.

Senior Level: Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a directly related field from an accredited institution. Two (2) years of professional level experience in Mental Health, Behavioral Health or closely related field, case management, research of Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or closely related field. Possess a valid registration in good standing with DORA as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience working in a counselor role with clients who are involved with probation, human services, social services, criminal justice programs, and/or other referral sources.
• Experience conducting, leading, or co-leading group counseling sessions.
• Experience working in a counselor role with opioid-dependent, adult clients.
• Experience conducting individual and/or family counseling.
• Experience creating individualized treatment plans and other clinical documentation (for example, DAP notes).
• Experience with therapeutic confrontation and structures.
• Experience observing, monitoring, and intervening in drug/alcohol treatment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written communication skills, which includes the ability to check for typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors.
• Ability to effectively manage difficult behaviors.
• Ability to engage patients in treatment for substance use disorder treatment.
• Ability to comply with established rules, policies and procedures and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be open-minded and nonjudgmental.
• Ability to develop healthy relationships with clients.
• Ability to establish boundaries with clients.
• Ability to exercise discretion (e.g. patient confidentiality).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass a fingerprint check.
• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass a criminal background check, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check.
• Must possess and maintain current and valid registration in good standing with DORA to provide behavioral health treatment and care to patients throughout employment in this position.
• Must possess a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle in Colorado or obtain one within 30 days from date of hire.

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s): 1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position. 2. Curriculum vitae / Resume 3. Three to five professional references, including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address. Questions should be directed to: Shingo Ishida, shingo.ishida@cuanschutz.edu.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by December 1st, 2025.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range for this position has been established as: Entry Level: $56,555 – $71,939; Intermediate Level: $61,546 – $78,286; Senior Level: $66,536 – $84,634.