Residential Counselor

About the Job

Position Summary:

Counselors are responsible for delivering individual, group, and family counseling services to clients with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Core responsibilities include completing required clinical documentation such as psychosocial assessments, Individual Treatment/Service Plans (ITP/ISP), progress notes, and monthly reviews. Counselors actively participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, monitor client progress throughout care, and contribute to discharge planning to ensure continuity of services. They provide crisis assessment, intervention, and de-escalation to promote client and staff safety, while guiding peers to ensure consistent and appropriate responses to critical situations. Counselors develop and implement approved curricula to support group and individual counseling sessions, utilizing evidence-based practices tailored to client needs.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide individual, group, and family counseling to address substance use, co-occurring disorders, and mental health concerns.
• Conduct thorough client screenings and assessments; develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans based on each client's strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
• Utilize evidence-based counseling and psychotherapy approaches to evaluate and treat emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and affective conditions.
• Deliver services via secure distance-based platforms when appropriate, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
• Assess client needs and determine appropriate modalities of care, including crisis intervention, referrals, and coordination with ancillary services (e.g., family support groups, continuing care, medical services).
• Conduct intake interviews and determine program eligibility and appropriateness for services or referral to external providers.
• Provide crisis intervention, following WestCare policies and procedures, and take immediate action as needed to ensure client safety.
• Report unusual incidents, safety concerns, or compliance issues to the Residential Clinical Coordinator, Program Director, Regional Vice President, or regulatory agency as appropriate.
• Monitor, evaluate, and document client behavior, progress, and participation throughout treatment.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation, including progress notes, assessments, and reports in accordance with agency and regulatory standards.
• Follow all WestCare policies, procedures, and professional standards of practice.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, counselor meetings, and discharge planning discussions to support continuity of care.
• Educate clients and families about recovery resources, relapse prevention, and coping strategies.
• Support aftercare planning by assisting clients in identifying community resources and ongoing recovery supports.
• Ensure regular and consistent attendance to maintain continuity of client care.
• Promote and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision, and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program and client needs.

Essential Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the duties and responsibilities satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Demonstrated commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards in working with clients, colleagues, and the community.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and avoid all dual relationships with clients (including personal, financial, business, social, or sexual relationships).
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative.
• Capacity to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of and adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards related to substance abuse and mental health treatment.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.
• Experience providing counseling to adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders preferred.
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices and treatment modalities for substance abuse and mental health counseling preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency to support a diverse client population preferred.

Education and/or Experience:

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or related human services field.
• 2+ years of experience in a similar setting, with experience in group and individual counseling.

Licensure/Certification:

• CAP preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Indoor and outdoor settings.
• Group and/or individual counseling sessions.
• Direct contact with clients of all ages and levels of functioning.
• Fast paced environment.
• Potential for high noise level at times.
• A minimum of 40 hours per week is required; however, there may be times when more than 40 hours a week is expected to complete job tasks. Regular attendance is required.

WestCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment at WestCare is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug test, pre-employment physical and criminal background check.

About the Company

Who We AreSince 1973, WestCare has provided health and human services with a commitment to delivering high-quality and cost-effective services that empower people to transform their lives.THE MISSION.We are resolutely dedicated to the populations we serve, as well as our employees, and actively promote the wellness and empowerment of individuals, their families, and their communities.Our MissionWestCare empowers everyone with whom we come into contact with to engage in a process of healing, growth, and change benefiting themselves, their families, co-workers, and communities.Where Do We Serve?Proudly serving sixteen states, three U.S. territories, the Dominican Republic and the Republic of PalauWhat Do We Do?We're a family of nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of health and human services to improve the lives of those in our communities. Our service domains include:Mental Health & WellnessTreatment & RehabilitationCriminal JusticeVeteran ServicesHousing OpportunitiesEducation & PreventionDomestic ViolenceEmergency Support