Drug Rehabilitation Counselor job description.
A Drug Rehabilitation Counselor provides individual and group counseling to clients recovering from substance use disorders. They assess client needs, develop and update treatment plans, facilitate therapeutic sessions, and coordinate with medical staff, families, and community resources to support long-term recovery. The role requires empathy, strong clinical judgment, and the ability to work with clients facing crisis, relapse, or co-occurring mental health conditions.
The Drug Rehabilitation Counselor job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Drug Rehabilitation Counselor Reports to: Clinical Director or Behavioral Health Program Manager
A Drug Rehabilitation Counselor provides individual and group counseling to clients recovering from substance use disorders. They assess client needs, develop and update treatment plans, facilitate therapeutic sessions, and coordinate with medical staff, families, and community resources to support long-term recovery. The role requires empathy, strong clinical judgment, and the ability to work with clients facing crisis, relapse, or co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Conduct intake assessments to evaluate substance use history and treatment needs
- Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment and recovery plans
- Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions using evidence-based practices
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Clinical Director or Behavioral Health Program Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Conduct intake assessments to evaluate substance use history and treatment needs
- Develop, implement, and update individualized treatment and recovery plans
- Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions using evidence-based practices
- Monitor client progress and adjust treatment approaches as needed
- Coordinate care with physicians, psychiatrists, and other treatment team members
- Maintain accurate and confidential case notes and treatment records
- Connect clients with community resources, support groups, and aftercare services
- Respond to crisis situations, including relapse or risk of harm
- Educate clients and families on addiction, recovery, and relapse prevention
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in counseling, social work, or psychology
- Current licensure/certification as required by state and employer
- 2+ years of experience in substance abuse or behavioral health counseling
- Strong knowledge of evidence-based addiction treatment models
- Excellent crisis-management and interpersonal skills
- Master's degree in clinical counseling or social work
- Experience with dual-diagnosis or co-occurring disorder treatment
- Training in motivational interviewing or cognitive behavioral therapy
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Drug Rehabilitation Counselor job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Drug Rehabilitation Counselor job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Clinical Director or Behavioral Health Program Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What licensure does a Drug Rehabilitation Counselor need?
- Licensure requirements vary by state and typically require a combination of education, supervised clinical hours, and passing an exam; confirm current requirements with the state licensing board before hiring.
- Is a master's degree required for this role?
- Requirements vary by employer and state; some entry-level roles accept a bachelor's degree with relevant experience, while clinical or independent-practice roles often require a master's degree and full licensure.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Substance Abuse Counselor
A substance abuse counselor provides assessment, individual and group counseling, and case management to clients recovering from addiction.
Drug and Alcohol Counselor
A drug and alcohol counselor provides assessment, treatment planning, and counseling services to individuals working through substance use disorders.
Mental Health Counselor
A Mental Health Counselor provides individual, group, or family counseling to help clients manage emotional, behavioral, and mental health concerns.
This Drug Rehabilitation Counselor job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.