Substance Use Disorder Treatment Counselor (Entry – Senior Level)

Job Summary:

This position provides drug and alcohol assessment, psychosocial, and pharmacological treatment to adults who are living with Substance Use Disorder (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 probation departments and with opioid dependent patients 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 and is located in Denver, CO. 

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 and a new Medication Mobile Unit coming online to deliver methadone related treatments to the patients of our city. 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. 

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition benefits, ECO pass, paid time off – vacation, sick, holidays and more. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits-wellness .

Diversity and Equity:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student body, faculty, and administrative staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community and all veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Entry Level:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field from an accredited university.
  • 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 another closely related field from an accredited university.
  • 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.
• 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 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).

Senior Level:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field from an accredited university.
  • 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.
• 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 the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) as  Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, social work, counseling, human services, or another closely related field.
• 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).

Conditions of Employment:

• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass a fingerprint check.
• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass a criminal background check and motor vehicle records check.
• Must agree to undertake and successfully pass professional references check.

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.

4.     Copy of valid DORA license.

Questions should be directed to: Shingo Ishida, at [email protected]

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by April 1st , 2024. 

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established as:

Entry Level: $51,788 - $56,900

Intermediate Level: $56,358 - $62,000

Senior Level: $60,928 - $67,000

External candidates may be eligible for a one-time, non-base building sign-on bonus up to $3,000. Details of this recruitment incentive program will be provided during the interview process.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program .