Substance Abuse Counselor/Recovery Coach, 40 hours, Evenings

Substance Abuse Counselor/Recovery Coach

Exemption Status: Exempt

Schedule Details: Sunday through Saturday

Scheduled Hours: 11am to 7:30pm, 40h - varied days & hours

Shift: 2 - Evening Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)

Hours: 40

Cost Center: 26000 - 4407 Milford Behavioral Health

This position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.

Everyone Is a Caregiver

At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.

The Substance Abuse Counselor/Recovery Coach (SAC/RC) works under the direction of the Manager of Behavioral Health (LICSW) as part of the Substance Abuse team. This role provides substance abuse education and assists patients in navigating community resources. The SAC/RC spends at least 50% of their time in the community, supporting patients and coordinating with providers, agencies, and families to ensure comprehensive care. The SAC/RC must be knowledgeable in addiction treatment and community resources and is responsible for supporting appropriate billing practices.

Major Responsibilities

Referral and Follow-Up System Development

• Creates and maintains a referral and follow-up system to increase access to and retention in substance use treatment.
• Maintains confidentiality and responds to patient needs promptly and respectfully.

Patient Navigation and Advocacy

• Provides interventions including navigation, advocacy, and education.
• Conducts onsite evaluations and connects clients with supportive resources.
• Advocates for patient access to outpatient care and services.

Communication and Collaboration

• Maintains open communication with the Behavioral Health Manager and care team.
• Ensures clear and concise documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Collaborates to reduce unnecessary ED or inpatient admissions.

Age-Specific Competency

• Applies knowledge of growth and development stages to patient care.
• Demonstrates age-appropriate communication and support.

Standard Staffing Level Responsibilities

• Complies with established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
• Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
• Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
• Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.

Position Qualifications

License/Certification/Education Required:

• High School Diploma or GED and one additional year of experience working with the substance use population.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred:

• Associate's degree.
• Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) must be obtained within 2 years of hire if not already held.
• Community Health Worker Certification.
• Written and oral fluency in Portuguese and/or Spanish.

Experience/Skills Required:

• 1+ years of experience in substance abuse services.
• Knowledge of community mental health and substance abuse resources.
• Familiarity with addiction treatment and state agencies (e.g., DMH, DCF).
• Strong communication, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We're striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.

As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at talentacquisition@umassmemorial.org. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.