Substance Abuse Specialist
- Driver's license
About the job
Overview
Join a Team That Changes Lives
For more than 170 years, Elwyn has been leading the way in supporting children, teens, and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and behavioral health challenges. As a mission-driven nonprofit, we’re here to create real change – helping people lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.
Now, we’re looking for passionate team members to join us. Here, your work will change lives – including your own. You’ll make an impact every day, find purpose in what you do, and grow in a career that truly matters.
At Elwyn, we take care of you while you care for others. We offer:
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Benefit Packages
- Earned Wage Access/On-Demand Pay
- Paid On-the-Job Training
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Career Advancement Opportunities and Growth
- Flexible Schedules
- Retirement Savings Plan
Join us and be a part of something bigger. Apply today.
Job Description
Elwyn Seeks a Substance Abuse Specialist to provide substance abuse rehabilitation, individual counseling, and staff resource education in a therapeutic setting. The primary focus is assisting adult consumers with a primary diagnosis of mental illness and co-existing addiction disorders. The goal is to empower them to achieve social, economic, emotional, and personal independence.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct thorough assessments to understand clients’ substance use and mental health needs
- Collaborate with clients to develop personalized evidence-based treatment plans
- Design comprehensive treatment strategies that address both addiction and mental health concerns Support clients in achieving their recovery goals
- Provide one-on-one counseling sessions to address specific challenges
- Facilitate group therapy sessions, fostering a supportive community
- Educate clients on coping skills, relapse prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices
- Offer resources and support to help clients regain independence
- Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, social workers, and case managers
- Advocate for clients’ needs within the healthcare system
- Stay informed about advancements in substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment through ongoing training opportunities
- Maintain CADAC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor) or equivalent certification
- Uphold professional competence by staying current with industry standards
- Incorporate the PRISMMODEL for the effective treatment of serious and persistent mental illness into daily clinical practices
- Integrate a variety of treatment modalities during clinical interactions with program members
- Facilitate dual diagnosis treatment groups as needed, emphasizing education, motivation, relapse prevention, and evidence-based practices
- Assess mental health status, safety concerns, and potential medication contraindications
- Prioritize client well-being and safety
- Provide in-service training to ACTT (Assertive Community Treatment Team) staff members on various Dual Diagnosis topics
- Foster a culture of continuous learning within the team
- Document consumer preferences during the assessment process and align goals with the Person-Centered
Treatment Plan
- Develop skill-based interventions based on individual needs
- Proactively apply principles of non-violent crisis intervention in all situations
- Mitigate or eliminate crisis escalation through effective communication and de-escalation techniques
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), crisis intervention and medication delivery and management using agency-trained protocols as determined by Region
- Maintains current state-mandated training and certifications
- Assume full responsibility for crisis services, necessitating beeper coverage
- May work evening and weekend hours according to the team model and an on-call rotation will be required
as necessary
QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- A master's degree (MA) in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related human services discipline required
- At least one year of direct addiction services counseling experience required
- CADAC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor) or an equivalent addictions certificate is preferred
- Non-profit human service experience highly preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage and prioritize multiple, often competing, priorities
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail
- Demonstrated strong time management and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate future needed changes or identify problem areas and take effective actions
- Must be able to perform CPR and crisis intervention using agency-trained protocols
- Must possess excellent customer interaction, collaboration, presentation, and written and verbal communication
- Demonstrated (basic, intermediate, advanced) experience with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; Access, Publisher and report-writer experience preferred
- (Experience using/knowledge of) Electronic Health Record (EHR) / Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
- Must possess a current, valid driver's license in state of residence, have a minimum of two (2) years of driving experience within the United States, and have an acceptable driving record
EDUCATION
- A bachelor’s degree (BA) in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related human
services discipline required
QUALIFICATIONS
- CADAC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor) or an equivalent addictions certificate is required
Equal Opportunity Employer
Elwyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Elwyn does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, pregnancy status, medical condition, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, sexual orientation or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, handicap status, marital or family status, mental or physical disability, perceived disability, military or veteran status, political activities or affiliations, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at ADArequest@elwyn.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal
From Elwyn's job posting, checked Oct 29, 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
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About Elwyn
Elwyn supports children and adults with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs, from Media, Pennsylvania.
Based in Media, PAHires in California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine, North CarolinaPay on its listings: 65.7% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
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