Substance Abuse Professional-Community Support Team

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: Hourly

Job Title: Substance Abuse Counselor Community Support Team (CST)

Company: Arbor Care Solutions
Location: Winston-Salem, NC (Community-Based Role)
Employment Type: Full-Time Only
Schedule: MondayFriday | 8:00 AM5:00 PM | Rotating On-Call Required
Reports To: CST Team Lead

Position Summary

The Substance Abuse Counselor is a critical member of the Community Support Team (CST) at Arbor Care Solutions, responsible for delivering direct clinical and rehabilitative services to adults with substance use disorders (SUD) and/or co-occurring mental health conditions. This role focuses on engaging clients in the recovery process, providing evidence-based interventions, and coordinating care to support long-term stability and community integration.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Clinical Services

• Provide individual and group interventions addressing substance use, recovery readiness, relapse prevention, and co-occurring mental health symptoms.
• Deliver psychoeducation related to addiction, harm reduction, medication adherence, and wellness strategies.
• Implement and support evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Seeking Safety, or similar modalities.
• Assist in developing and executing relapse prevention plans, harm reduction strategies, and substance use recovery goals identified in the Person-Centered Plan (PCP).

Care Coordination & Recovery Support

• Coordinate and link clients to substance use treatment resources (e.g., MAT programs, detox services, peer recovery supports).
• Engage with medical, psychiatric, and community providers to support integrated care.
• Facilitate referrals to housing, employment, legal aid, and other recovery-enabling supports.
• Monitor client progress and adjust service strategies based on evolving clinical needs.

Person-Centered Planning

• Participate in the development, implementation, and review of Person-Centered Plans in collaboration with the CST team and the client.
• Contribute clinical insights into functional needs assessments and recovery planning.
• Document all services provided in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) in a timely, accurate, and Medicaid-compliant manner.

Crisis Response & On-Call Support

• Participate in a rotating 24/7 on-call crisis response schedule.
• Assist in de-escalation, short-term stabilization, and coordination of emergency services during substance use or mental health-related crises.
• Support the implementation of WRAP Plans, crisis/safety plans, and harm-reduction strategies.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with CST Team Lead, Qualified Professionals, Paraprofessionals, and Peer Support Specialists to ensure integrated, coordinated care.
• Attend weekly CST meetings and clinical staffing sessions to review client status and team service delivery.
• Provide consultative guidance to team members on SUD interventions and recovery practices.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements

• Must hold one of the following active credentials in North Carolina:
  • Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS)
  • Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate (LCAS-A)
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
  • Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS)
• At least 1 year of experience working directly with adults with substance use disorders.
• Valid North Carolina drivers license and reliable transportation.
• Willingness to work in community-based settings, including homes, shelters, hospitals, and street outreach environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Familiarity with Medicaid documentation standards, Person-Centered Planning, and EHR systems.
• Training in one or more of the following:
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Seeking Safety
  • ASAM Criteria
  • Harm Reduction Models

Training Requirements

• Completion of CST-required onboarding training within the first 90 days of hire:
  • Person-Centered Planning
  • Crisis Response
  • CST Service Definition
  • Motivational Interviewing (13 hours minimum)
  • ASAM Criteria (6 hours)
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Permanent Supportive Housing (if applicable)
• Ongoing annual training in your designated evidence-based practice or treatment modality.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive hourly rate or salary (commensurate with experience and licensure level)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short-Term Disability and Whole Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and agency holidays
• Mileage reimbursement for travel
• Clinical support and continuing education assistance

Schedule

• Monday through Friday | 8:00 AM5:00 PM
• Full-time only
• Includes participation in a rotating on-call schedule for crisis coverage (evenings/weekends)

Why Join Arbor Care Solutions?

At Arbor Care Solutions, we meet people where they are. Our mission is to walk beside individuals in recovery with compassion, integrity, and clinical excellence. As a Substance Abuse Counselor on our CST team, youll play a hands-on role in supporting people through one of the most transformative periods of their lives.