Drug & Alcohol Counselor

Location: Upper Darby

Our Mission, Vision, & Model of Care At Union Community Care, our purpose is at the forefront of all that we do: we stand for whole health to help you live your fullest life.

We envision vibrant and healthy communities supported by inclusive healthcare that embraces each member’s unique culture, needs, and values, and emboldens them to make healthful choices that fuel their well-being and the well-being of others.

We believe in whole health. This means we address and heal disease but equally important, we work at the causes of the causes, the social ills that must be addressed to achieve true equity.

We listen, learn, and embrace the complex lives and unique strengths of our patients, and we work hard to break down all barriers to care. This means we look through a grassroots lens. We connect with our communities because we are our communities. Each of us is a neighbor, a friend, a family member, and together, we are a trusted community health center.

JOB SUMMARY The Drug & Alcohol Counselor position is classified as an essential role and requires employees to report to work on-site during scheduled shifts, including holidays. Drug & Alcohol Counselors are also expected to fulfill their duties during public health crises, pandemics, and severe weather conditions, unless otherwise directed by management. Drug and Alcohol Counselors may be required to provide coverage at other Union Community Care-Drug & Alcohol facilities as needed to ensure continuity of services during periods of staffing shortages.

The Drug & Alcohol counselor collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams and internal and external service providers to ensure coordinated, high-quality care. Responsibilities also include participating in case reviews, monitoring client progress, and supporting continuity of care throughout the treatment process.

The Drug & Alcohol counselor is responsible for maintaining complete, accurate, and timely clinical records, ensuring that all assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, aftercare plans, and other required documentation are completed in accordance with established regulatory and agency timelines.

All services must be delivered in compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) regulations, including applicable Chapters 704 and 709 of the Pennsylvania Code, ASAM Criteria, agency policies and procedures, and all federal and state confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part
2.SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES Maintain a daily caseload of approximately 5–8 clients in residential setting or no more than 35 clients in outpatient setting according to PA Code 704.12. FTE maximum client to counselor ratios; fostering therapeutic relationships and providing ongoing clinical support throughout the treatment process.

Obtain prior authorizations from client funding sources to ensure timely access to approved treatment services.

Provide individual counseling services utilizing evidence-based practices, including relapse prevention, recovery planning, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and harm reduction education, when clinically appropriate.

Plan, facilitate, and document psycho educational and therapeutic group counseling sessions. Promote active client participation and engagement while addressing topics such as substance use disorders, relapse prevention, coping strategies, recovery management, life skills development, emotional regulation, and overall wellness.

Provide family counseling and educational services, as clinically indicated and with appropriate client consent. Facilitate effective communication between clients and family members to support recovery goals and educate families on addiction, treatment processes, relapse prevention, and available recovery resources.

Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical records in compliance with DDAP regulations, agency policies, HIPAA requirements, and 42 CFR Part 2 confidentiality standards.

Complete clinical assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and all other required documentation in accordance with regulatory and agency standards.

Ensure all clinical documentation accurately reflects services provided and client progress toward established treatment goals and objectives.

Coordinate care and services with healthcare providers, community agencies, referral sources, probation/parole officers, and other treatment professionals, as appropriate.

Advocate for client needs and…