Substance Use Counselor

“Every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.” Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Health + Home is a growing non‑profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children's and family programs. IF currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro‑communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.

The Substance Use Counselor (SUC) is responsible for providing adult client supervision in a shelter or recuperative care facility, and assisting in the maintenance of a safe, secure environment that enhances behavioral health and substance use counseling while utilizing the harm reduction and recovery model to all clients being served.

The pay offered for this role is $25.00 per hour.

The schedule for this role is 12:00pm to 4:00pm; contractor/ as needed.

• Within a harm reduction model complete substance use assessment, care plan, and goal setting to clients interested in services
• Works with a multidisciplinary team, lead site activities such as; current events groups, community meetings, goals groups, fitness groups, activities of daily living groups, and/or recreational activities, as appropriate to the specified client population promoting safety and comfort in a supportive, therapeutic environment
• Provide individual and group counseling to clients struggling with substance use
• Recognize the need for and provide crisis intervention services to clients as needed according to PRO-ACT principles
• Documents all client interactions or activities complete on behalf of the client (including collaboration with other disciplines, case consultations, telephone calls, leaving voicemails, and collateral contact) in AICA & KIPU according to the documentation standards of the agency and within 96 hours of service provision
• Meet documentation standards as assigned by Clinical Supervisor, Manager or Director
• Informs Supervising Manager or Director, within 12 hours of making an incident report, APS/CPS and/or 5150 report within a mandated time frame
• Collaborate (on a need‑to‑know basis) with teams including site nursing, case management, behavioral health therapists, site‑staff, food service and transportation regarding client’s substance use counseling needs, ensuring the highest level of client care
• Maintain confidentiality of work‑related information and materials according to HIPAA standards
• Assists client with activities of daily living; attend to client behavioral issues and provide assistance in crisis intervention, as needed
• Tracks and maintain client observation, sets boundaries on inappropriate behavior, and recognizes the need for and provide crisis intervention services to clients
• Act as a liaison with clients, families of clients, or external facilities and agencies
• Follow established institutional policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety environmental, and infection control standards
• Research and build relationships with community agencies for client resources and linkage
• Familiarization with supportive services in county/counties served, including but not limited to linking clients to outside therapy, mental health, substance use treatment, job training, schooling, church, AA/NA meetings, etc.
• Participates in the development and implementation of client treatment programs as directed
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, in‑service trainings, workshops and other required meetings as directed
• Drive to any IF location for coverage, trainings, or support, as directed
• Support volunteers as needed; may be required to supervise volunteer(s)
• Circulate throughout the facility every hour and check‑in with security guards and medical staff concerning any client related issues. Be available to assist staff immediately with the de‑escalation process when asked to do so by security guards, medical staff, and site‑staff
• Other responsibilities, as assigned by Supervisor, Associate Manager, Manager or…