SUD Counselor - MLK BHC Residential

JOB SUMMARY

HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit organization and a family of programs, is committed to providing accessible and comprehensive healthcare services to vulnerable populations. Our mission is to tackle systemic barriers to healthcare and promote health equity for all. We offer a wide range of services, including mental health care, residential and outpatient substance use treatment, and primary health services. Additionally, we provide transitional support for individuals re-entering the community after involvement in the criminal justice system. By integrating physical and behavioral health, we empower individuals to overcome challenges by addressing social determinants of health, fostering resilience, and facilitating recovery.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Behavioral Health Center (MLK BHC) is a program of HealthRIGHT 360 and is contracted with the Department of Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) program. MLK BHC offers residential Drug Medi-Cal (DMC) services for a maximum of 99 adult individuals, comprising 33 beds each for judicially involved men, men, and women. MLK BHC collaborates closely with other Behavioral Health Center programs to ensure a comprehensive range of services for low-income and Medi-Cal-eligible individuals. Situated on the Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital campus in the Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, the program serves residents of all Los Angeles County.

The SUD Counselor I is an integral part of an interdisciplinary team that supports our clients through assessment of their needs and strengths in support of their health and recovery. This in-person role involves providing counseling in both individual and group settings, delivering curricula in accordance with program-specific requirements, offering case management, and assisting clients in navigating systems of care—all while fostering a supportive treatment environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Treatment Setting

• Facilitate group counseling sessions and community meetings.
• Proactively link clients to both internal and external resources based on their treatment needs.
• Teach classes on treatment-related topics to assist clients in meeting their treatment goals.
• Collaborate with each client and other available internal and external resources to develop/maintain treatment plans, transition plans, progress notes and appropriate updates in support of the health and recovery needs of the client.
• Perform crisis intervention and communicate with the treatment team.
• Follow up on clients' treatment progress.
• Monitor and document client medication administration.
• Ensure secure storage and proper accounting of client medications.
• Accompany clients to offsite appointments as needed.
• Assign client duties and sign off upon completion.
• Motivate clients to fulfill their weekly obligations.
• Support intake process and maintain supplies.
• Collect, clean, or dispose of biohazard waste.
• Disinfect and clean rooms and common areas.

Safety and Security

• Maintain safety and security of clients in the facility.
• Perform periodic house runs.
• Perform property and room searches.
• Respond to medical emergencies including overdoses.
• Perform substance use tests such as urinalysis and breathalyzer.
• Observe clients and maintain observation logs.

Documentation

• Document group and individual counseling sessions in a timely manner per program and/or contract requirements.
• Accurately enter data in electronic systems.
• Document client updates and incidents daily.
• All documentation must be maintained in accordance with guidelines established by HealthRIGHT 360 to satisfy internal and external evaluating requirements.
• Complete discharge paperwork and agency assessments.
• Maintain weekly logs of client contacts.
• Read and respond to communications in a timely manner.

Administration and Other Responsibilities

• Attend meetings and actively participate.

• Meet residential service delivery goals.

• Plan and facilitate celebrations and special events.
• Work on weekends and holidays as needed.
• Complete assigned training on time.
• Maintain full compliance with credential requirements.

And perform other assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Certification, or Licensure

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, or other related field preferred.

Registration as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor from an accredited California agency (CCAPP, CAADE, CADTP).Valid First Aid and CPR certification.

Experience

• Experience as a registered substance abuse or behavioral disorder counselor or recovery specialist in community mental health setting preferred.

Competencies

• Assessment and Evaluation. Ability to conduct thorough assessments to evaluate clients' substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders.

Case Management. Ability to coordinate care and services, including transitions in level of care, referrals to other services, and monitoring progress toward treatment goals.

Client-Centered Care. Ability to provide personalized, empathetic care and support to clients, particularly in helping them meet their treatment goals and access necessary services.

Communication Skills. Effective in conveying information clearly and accurately through both oral and written channels.

Community Resources. Familiarity with local community behavioral health and public health systems to assist clients in maintaining recovery.

Computer Literacy. Ability to utilize Microsoft Office applications and EHR systems.

Cultural Competence. Ability to interface well with diverse, disadvantaged populations including those with history of incarceration, substance abuse, and/or mental illness while withholding judgment.

Counseling Skills. Familiarity with various supportive counseling strategies and wellness and recovery principles in working with clients with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders such as client-centered approach, strength-based approach, harm reduction, recovery model, and trauma-informed care.

Crisis Intervention. Ability to manage crises related to substance use, such as overdose situations, withdrawal symptoms, or acute psychological distress.

Flexibility and Adaptability. Willingness to work nights, weekends, and in unpredictable situations, maintaining professionalism and responsiveness to participant needs.

Group Facilitation Skills. Ability to lead group discussions, manage group dynamics, and create a safe and supportive environment for all group members.

Inclusive Service Delivery. Ability to adapt services to meet the diverse needs of clients, including individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with unique life experiences such as incarceration or substance abuse.

Professional Boundaries. Maintain clear professional boundaries with colleagues and clients.

Regulatory Compliance. Understanding of relevant legal and regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, 42 CFR) and the ability to apply them in daily work to ensure ethical and legal standards are upheld in all client interactions and documentation.

Teamwork. Accountable to the team and positively collaborate with other team members.Bilingual preferred.

Background Check and Other Requirements

• Qualified candidates with a criminal record will be considered for employment.
• Must be capable of obtaining and maintaining a satisfactory background check.
• Must be capable of meeting health screening and tuberculosis testing requirements.
• Must be capable of meeting program and funding requirements.
• Must be capable of maintaining credential requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

In an 8-hr workday, employee is required to perform work:

Sitting

4

Hrs

Standing

2

Hrs

Walking

2

Hrs

Driving

Never

In an average month, employee must travel out of town:

☐ Often (>2x)

☐ Sometimes (<2x)

☒ Never

In an 8-hr workday, employee must:

Not at all

Occasionally

(1/4-2½ hrs.)

Frequently

(2½-5½ hrs.)

Continuously

(5½-8 hrs.)

Bend/stoop

☐

☒

☐

☐

Climb

☒

☐

☐

☐

Reach above shoulder level

☐

☒

☐

☐

Kneel

☐

☒

☐

☐

Balance

☒

☐

☐

☐

Push/pull

☐

☒

☐

☐

Squat

☐

☒

☐

☐

Crawl

☐

☒

☐

☐

Crouch

☐

☒

☐

☐

Lift*

☐

☒

☐

☐

Carry**

☐

☒

☐

☐

*     Usual number

       Maximum number

5

20

lbs

lbs

**   Usual number

       Maximum number

5

20

lbs

lbs

Job requires:

Working at heights

☐ Yes

☒ No

Explain

Operating heavy machinery

☐ Yes

☒ No

Type

Operating desk machines

☒ Yes

☐ No

Type

Computer, fax, printer, phone

Precise manual dexterity

☒ Yes

☐ No

Explain

Documentation, data entry

Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity

☐ Yes

☒ No

Explain

Exposure to dust, fumes, gases, chemicals

☐ Yes

☒ No

Explain