Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC)

JOB SUMMARY

The Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC) provides comprehensive substance use disorder (SUD) counseling, case management, and supportive services within the treatment program, helping ensure clients receive consistent, client-centered care throughout their recovery. This role conducts biopsychosocial screenings, gathers clinical information for assessments, and assists with developing individualized treatment plans. The CADC delivers individual and group counseling services, using evidence-informed approaches to support clients with SUD and co-occurring mental health needs.

Working closely with the clinical team, the CADC tracks client progress, completes timely and accurate documentation, and supports continuity of care throughout treatment. This position also provides education and support to family members when appropriate, helping them understand the recovery process and strengthen support systems. The CADC contributes to a structured, supportive environment and delivers services in a manner that is ethical, trauma-informed, and aligned with program standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Care

• Conduct initial screenings and gather clinical information to support assessments and treatment planning; participate in treatment plan development and updates in accordance with CARF, DHCS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling within certification scope, including psychoeducational and relapse‑prevention groups.
• Assist clients in developing measurable goals that support step‑down to a lower level of care and safe reintegration into the community.
• Perform crisis intervention within scope of practice and follow protocols for escalating clinical concerns to licensed staff.
• Provide liaison support between clients, families, and the treatment team.
• Maintain consistent communication with the Clinical Director or designee regarding client progress, concerns, and barriers.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of information for Utilization Review and Concurrent Review requests.
• Complete all CARF and state‑required documentation related to counseling services.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings to address client progress and treatment needs.

Operations

• Document all services and progress notes in the EHR in accordance with documentation standards and timelines.
• Track client progress and support coordination of care across the continuum of services.
• Participate in and/or lead weekly clinical and interdisciplinary team meetings as assigned.
• Assist in planning and coordinating client movement across levels of care in collaboration with the treatment team.

Ethical & Legal Responsibilities

• Follow all mandated reporting requirements, including suspected child abuse, elder abuse, or threats of harm to self/others.
• Monitor and report safety concerns, including behavioral escalations, self‑harm risk, or environmental hazards.
• Participate in incident reporting and related follow‑up actions.
• Follow all facility safety procedures, including emergency response protocols.
• Uphold professional and ethical standards, including confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries.
• Ensure clients understand their rights, responsibilities, treatment options, and confidentiality limits.
• Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and certification board requirements (e.g., CADTP, CCAPP).
• Participate in internal audits, chart reviews, and quality assurance activities.

Client Support

• Provide supportive counseling and interventions aligned with treatment goals and the counselor’s scope of practice.
• Respond to client requests for additional support or sessions as appropriate.
• Support clients in building healthy support systems that promote long‑term recovery and overall well-being.

People & Culture / Teamwork

• Collaborate closely with clinical, medical, administrative, and support staff to promote coordinated care.
• Contribute to a respectful, professional, and trauma‑informed treatment environment.

Additional Duties and Scope of Responsibility

• The duties listed represent the essential functions of the position and are not exhaustive.
• Employees may be assigned additional job‑related duties, consistent with their role, training, licensure (if applicable), and applicable laws, to support operations, regulatory compliance, safety, and client care.
• This position is classified as exempt under applicable California wage and hour laws and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

COMPETENCIES 

Adaptability

• Adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, accepts criticism and feedback, and changes approaches or methods to best fit the situation.

Business Ethics

• Treats people with respect, inspires trust in others, keeps commitments, upholds organizational values, and works with integrity and ethically.

Communication

• Expresses ideas and thoughts verbally and in written form. Exhibits good listening and comprehension, keeps others adequately informed, and selects and uses appropriate communication methods.

Customer Service

• Displays courtesy and sensitivity, manages difficult or emotional customer situations, meets commitments, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve services.

Problem Solving

• Identifies problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions, resolves problems in early stages, and works well in group problem-solving situations.

Teamwork

• Balances team and individual responsibilities, exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views, gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit, and puts the success of the team above own interests.

Use of Technology

• Demonstrates required skills, adapts to new technologies, troubleshoots technological problems, uses technology to increase productivity, and keeps technical skills up to date.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Licensure

• Must maintain active and current registration through a recognized body such as CCAPP, CAADE, CADTP. (required)
• Ongoing credential maintenance is required as a condition of employment. (required)

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience working with SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders. (required)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (read, write, and speak proficiently). (preferred)
• Must hold current CPR and First Aid certification or obtain certification within 30 days of hire (training provided by employer).

Education

• High School Diploma or GED. (required)

Certification

Other Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License (required) and insurability under company policy.
• Successful completion of FBI/DOJ fingerprint clearance, negative TB test, and pre-employment drug screening, consistent with regulatory requirements.
• This position is classified as safety‑sensitive and requires ongoing compliance with the Company’s drug‑free workplace, safety, and emergency response policies, including random drug testing, consistent with applicable law and regulatory requirements to ensure client and workplace safety.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekend shifts as operationally required.

Regulatory & Program Compliance Requirements

As an employee of a licensed SUD treatment facility, staff must meet and maintain all regulatory requirements, including:

• Adhering to the Company’s drug‑free workplace standards and all DHCS licensing requirements.
• Employees in recovery from substance use must maintain a minimum of two (2) years of continuous sobriety, consistent with SUD program standards for client‑facing, safety‑sensitive, and supportive care roles.

Knowledge & Skills

• Working knowledge of structured SUD treatment programming, facility operations, and internal policies and procedures.
• Proficiency in clinical documentation practices, including accurate and timely entry in electronic health record (EHR) systems.
• Demonstrated ability to support crisis de‑escalation, safety planning, and basic behavioral intervention strategies under clinical supervision.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally with clients, clinical staff, and external partners.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast‑paced, client‑centered healthcare environment.
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, confidentiality standards, and regulatory requirements applicable to licensed SUD treatment facilities.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATIONS

The physical and environmental conditions described below are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions, in accordance with applicable law.

Physical Requirements

This position primarily operates in an office or clinical environment. The role requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to:

• Sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods, including movement between buildings and use of stairs as required for job‑related and emergency response duties.
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling up to 50 pounds as required for client care, safety, or operational needs
• Assisting with client mobility and repositioning as necessary.
• Performing repetitive hand movements, including keyboarding, grasping, and reaching to operate standard office and medical equipment (e.g., computer, telephone, blood pressure cuffs).
• Occasionally stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and twisting.
• Performing CPR and other emergency response procedures as required by the position, following training and organizational protocols.

Vision Requirements

• Ability to effectively perform job duties requiring close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to visually monitor work areas, read documents, and use computer systems and medical equipment.

Communication Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and medical professionals, verbally and in writing, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to receive and respond to auditory information necessary for job performance and emergency situations, with or without assistive devices.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in an office and/or clinical setting with frequent client interaction and occasional interruptions.
• May involve exposure to bodily fluids, odors, cleaning agents, and other environmental conditions consistent with a healthcare setting.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies throughout the facility, including areas that may require stair access, subject to reasonable accommodation where feasible.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

A.B.C. Recovery Center, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. It is our policy to abide by all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on a person’s race (including hair texture and hairstyles), color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental and/or intellectual disability, age, military status, veteran status (including protected veterans), marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer‑related or HIV/AIDS‑related conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.

Fair Chance Employment

ABC Recovery Center follows California Fair Chance hiring and employment practices and complies with all applicable laws governing the consideration of criminal history. Employment decisions are not based solely on an individual’s criminal history. Where permitted by law, the organization conducts individualized, job‑related assessments consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements, and client safety.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this job description. I understand that it outlines the general nature and level of work expected for this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the role.

I also understand that this job description does not constitute a contract of employment, and that the organization reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties at its discretion and in accordance with applicable laws. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.