Substance Abuse Counselor III

Career Opportunities:
Substance Abuse Counselor III (18571)

Substance Abuse Counselor III oversees specialized and comprehensive substance abuse counseling for individuals with alcohol and other substance use disorders. Duties include monitoring progress, participating in staff development, collaborating with discharge placement staff to arrange after‑care services, developing individualized objectives, facilitating substance use and co‑occurring psychiatric care, and performing other duties such as disaster response or COOP activation. The position may allow overtime and additional pay for evenings, nights, and weekends.

• Attend work on a regular basis, possibly on rotating or extended schedules per agency policy.
• Provide advanced substance use disorder assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and case management services for individuals with complex behavioral health and co‑occurring conditions. Evaluate progress and modify treatment per clinical needs.
• Participate in staff development activities related to the agency’s approved substance abuse counseling program; attend trainings and maintain compliance with mandatory training requirements.
• Collaborate with discharge placement staff to identify and arrange appropriate after‑care services, including IOP and community‑based counseling.
• Prepare and maintain required records, forms, and reports in compliance with HHSC and Texas Department of State Health Services regulations.
• Develop individualized objectives, communicate them to the treatment team, and track progress in the electronic health record.
• Complete COPSD assessments within seven days of admission or physician order.
• Perform assigned responsibilities as part of the Recovery Team, Quality Improvement Team, and Substance Use Discipline meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including supporting disaster response or COOP activation.

• Knowledge of evidence‑based practices in substance use treatment such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, relapse prevention, and integrated COPSD interventions.
• Knowledge of HHSC/TAC standards, state/federal regulations, and documentation requirements for behavioral health and substance use services.
• Knowledge of the impact of co‑occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders and integration of care within a hospital setting.
• Skill in conducting bio‑psychosocial and substance use assessments.
• Skill in group facilitation and individual counseling with diverse populations.
• Skill in crisis intervention, de‑escalation techniques, and motivational enhancement strategies.
• Skill in maintaining accurate and timely clinical documentation in compliance with hospital policy.
• Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships while setting professional boundaries.
• Ability to integrate substance use treatment into a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Ability to recognize, assess, and respond to withdrawal symptoms, risk of relapse, or psychiatric crisis.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals, families, and treatment team members.
• Ability to adapt evidence‑based interventions to meet cultural, developmental, and clinical needs in a state hospital setting.
• Ability to model professionalism, support recovery‑oriented care, and promote individual engagement in treatment and discharge planning.

• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

• Minimum of three (3) years of full‑time chemical dependency counseling experience after obtaining LCDC licensure.
• Experience should include assessment, treatment planning, individual counseling, group counseling, case management, and required documentation.

• Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks including CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, and Employee Misconduct, LEIE.
• Applicants must have no current disciplinary action that would prohibit supervision responsibilities.
• All applicants must be…