Substance Use Counselor | Addiction Counselor | English/Spanish

Location: Philadelphia, PA
Department: Behavioral Medicine
Job Type: Full Time | Exempt
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Work Setting: Fully Onsite
Pay Range: $27.34 to $28.39 per hour
Additional Compensation: Licensed counselors receive an additional $2.00 per hour in accordance with the applicable union pay scale.
Language Requirement: Fluent in English and Spanish Required

Overview

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is seeking a compassionate, motivated, and dedicated Bilingual Substance Use Counselor to join our Behavioral Medicine team in Philadelphia.

This position provides counseling, treatment planning, and recovery support to individuals receiving services for substance use disorders, addiction, and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Fluency in both English and Spanish is required. The counselor must be able to communicate effectively with clients in both languages, providing culturally responsive counseling and supporting individuals throughout their treatment and recovery.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of addiction treatment, behavioral health, relapse prevention, and recovery-focused counseling. We welcome professionals with backgrounds in Substance Use Counseling, Addiction Counseling, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Behavioral Health, Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, and Human Services.

This opportunity is well suited for counselors seeking a consistent weekday schedule while making a meaningful impact on individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.

Relevant professional certification or licensure is preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual counseling and facilitate group counseling sessions for individuals receiving substance use disorder treatment

• Conduct intake assessments, biopsychosocial evaluations, and ongoing client assessments

• Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment plans based on client needs, recovery goals, and clinical progress

• Provide counseling and recovery support in both English and Spanish

• Facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on addiction recovery, relapse prevention, coping skills, and healthy decision-making

• Support individuals experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions

• Assist clients in identifying barriers to recovery and developing effective coping strategies

• Utilize evidence-based counseling approaches, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care practices

• Monitor client progress, treatment participation, and achievement of individualized recovery goals

• Complete accurate and timely clinical documentation, progress notes, assessments, and treatment plan updates using Electronic Health Records (EHR)

• Coordinate referrals, discharge planning, aftercare services, and community recovery resources

• Collaborate with physicians, nursing staff, case managers, counselors, and other interdisciplinary treatment team members

• Participate in treatment team meetings, case consultations, clinical supervision, and required training

• Maintain compliance with HIPAA, confidentiality requirements, professional boundaries, and applicable regulatory standards

• Provide culturally responsive care that respects each client's background, experiences, and individual recovery needs

• Perform additional counseling and clinical support duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's, or Master's degree in Behavioral Health, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Addiction Studies, or a related field

• Fluency in both English and Spanish required

• Must be able to provide counseling services and communicate effectively with clients in both English and Spanish

• Minimum of 1 years of experience in substance use treatment, addiction counseling, behavioral health counseling, or human services

• Experience working with individuals affected by substance use disorders, addiction, or co-occurring mental health conditions

• Experience in outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), residential treatment, or Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) preferred

• Knowledge of addiction recovery, relapse prevention, treatment planning, and trauma-informed care

• Familiarity with ASAM criteria and substance use treatment standards preferred

• Relevant professional certification or licensure preferred but not required

• Experience conducting individual counseling, group counseling, and clinical assessments preferred

• Proficiency with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Microsoft Office

Work Environment

This is a fully onsite counseling position within a behavioral health and addiction treatment environment.

The counselor works directly with individuals receiving treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Responsibilities include individual and group counseling, clinical assessments, treatment planning, documentation, and collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

The position requires regular communication with English-speaking and Spanish-speaking clients and the ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate therapeutic boundaries.

Pre-Employment and Workplace Policy

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including a physical examination, background check, employment verification, and drug screening.

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is a Drug Free Workplace. All employees are expected to comply with organizational policies, professional standards, and applicable healthcare regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.