Substance Abuse Counselor job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

16

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

extensive preparation

Data Government data groups this job as Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors (O*NET-SOC 21-1011.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes. importance 4.7 of 5
2. Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills. importance 4.7 of 5
3. Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories. importance 4.7 of 5
4. Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information. importance 4.6 of 5
5. Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans. importance 4.5 of 5
6. Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs. importance 4.5 of 5
7. Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. importance 4.4 of 5
8. Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers. importance 4.3 of 5
9. Participate in case conferences or staff meetings. importance 4.3 of 5
10. Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies. importance 4.2 of 5
11. Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions. importance 4.2 of 5
12. Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients. importance 4.1 of 5
13. Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status. importance 4.0 of 5
14. Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions. importance 4.0 of 5
15. Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff. importance 4.0 of 5
16. Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary. importance 4.0 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Assisting and Caring for Others, Documenting/Recording Information, Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships, Getting Information and Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.

Knowledge areas: Therapy and Counseling, Psychology, English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Sociology and Anthropology.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, ACMS Casewatch Millenium. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 5 of 5 (extensive preparation). Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become a substance abuse counselor.

The most common answer among O*NET's occupation experts for this occupation is a master's degree (33%).

Job title: Substance Abuse Counselor
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Substance Abuse Counselor to counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will do
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
- Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.

What we are looking for
- [Education this role truly needs]
- Strength in social perceptiveness, active listening and speaking
- Working knowledge of Therapy and Counseling and Psychology
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Office software]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

• Read a real substance abuse counselor posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only substance abuse counselor work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (social perceptiveness and active listening).