Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC I/II) - Substace Use Disorder

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC I/CAC II) – Substance Use Disorder Services

Location: Washington, DC

Work Setting: Hybrid; regular in-office presence required

Employment Type: Independent Contractor

Program: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services

About Spring Leaf Solutions

Spring Leaf Solutions is a Washington, DC-based behavioral health organization providing community-based mental health and substance use disorder services. Our team works collaboratively to provide accessible, person-centered care that supports consumers throughout treatment and recovery.

Position Summary

Spring Leaf Solutions is seeking an experienced Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC I or CAC II) to provide direct counseling services to consumers participating in our Substance Use Disorder (SUD) programs.

This is a direct-care counseling role with primary responsibility for facilitating in-person group counseling sessions and maintaining an assigned caseload for individual substance use counseling. The CAC will work collaboratively with clinical leadership, Recovery Support Specialists (RSS), assessors, and other members of the treatment team to support consumer progress and continuity of care.

Required Licensure/Certification

Candidates must hold a current, active credential in good standing in the District of Columbia appropriate for providing addiction counseling services.

Qualifying addiction counseling credentials include

• Certified Addiction Counselor I (CAC I) – District of Columbia
• Certified Addiction Counselor II (CAC II) – District of Columbia

Candidates must maintain all certifications, continuing education, and other requirements necessary to practice in the District throughout their engagement with Spring Leaf Solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Experience providing direct substance use disorder counseling services.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating group counseling sessions.
• Ability to manage an assigned caseload and independently conduct individual counseling sessions.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, stages of change, and person-centered treatment approaches.

Preferred Qualifications

• CAC II certification preferred.
• Experience providing both group and individual counseling within outpatient or intensive outpatient SUD programs.
• Experience working with adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions.
• Familiarity with DC DBH Chapter 63 SUD service requirements.
• Experience with treatment planning, treatment plan updates, reassessments, and/or SUD assessments.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary community behavioral health teams.
• Familiarity with electronic health record systems and Medicaid clinical documentation requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate scheduled in-person group counseling sessions for consumers receiving substance use disorder treatment.
• Maintain an assigned caseload and provide individual substance use counseling consistent with each consumer's assessed needs and treatment plan.
• Provide counseling focused on recovery, relapse prevention, behavior change, coping skills, motivation, and achievement of individualized treatment goals.
• Establish effective therapeutic relationships with consumers while maintaining appropriate professional and clinical boundaries.
• Monitor consumer participation, progress, barriers to treatment, and changes in clinical needs.
• Document individual and group counseling services accurately and within required timeframes.
• Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Recovery Support Specialists, assessors, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team.
• Participate in treatment planning and provide clinical input regarding consumer progress, needs, goals, and recommended interventions.
• Identify changes in consumer needs, functioning, or risk and appropriately escalate clinical concerns.
• Participate in required clinical supervision, case consultation, and care coordination activities.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable Spring Leaf Solutions, DC DBH, DC Health, Medicaid, and federal requirements governing substance use disorder treatment services.
• As needed, assist with clinical assessments, reassessments, or treatment plan development and updates within the individual's credentialed scope of practice and organizational procedures. These activities are supportive responsibilities and are not the primary function of this position.

Work Setting & Schedule

This is a hybrid position consisting of both in-person and remote responsibilities based on consumer and program needs.

Because group counseling is a core responsibility of the position, CACs must be available to facilitate regularly scheduled, in-person group counseling sessions at the Spring Leaf Solutions office in Washington, DC.

Individual counseling sessions and other responsibilities may be provided in person or remotely when clinically appropriate and permitted by program requirements.

Schedules will be coordinated with SUD program leadership based on assigned caseloads, group schedules, consumer needs, and service demand.