Addiction Counselor

BUFFALO PLAINS RECOVERY

405 E Fairlane Dr | Rapid City, SD 57701

Now Hiring: Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) / Addiction Counselor Trainee (ACT)

Department: Behavioral Health Services
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor / Clinical Director
Employment Type: Full-Time or Part-Time, based on facility needs
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota

About Buffalo Plains Recovery

Buffalo Plains Recovery is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment. Guided by the resilience of the Black Hills, our mission is to provide individuals and families with the support, resources, and clinical care necessary to achieve lasting recovery.

We are seeking a compassionate, motivated, and client-centered Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Addiction Counselor Trainee (ACT) to join our Behavioral Health Services team. This position plays an important role in supporting individuals through detoxification, residential treatment, and the recovery process.

Whether you are an experienced licensed counselor or a trainee working toward professional credentialing, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families while working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary treatment team.

Position Summary

The Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) / Addiction Counselor Trainee (ACT) is responsible for providing substance use disorder counseling, facilitating therapeutic and educational groups, assisting with individualized treatment planning, and supporting clients throughout their recovery journey.

The position involves assessing client needs, delivering evidence-based counseling interventions, monitoring treatment progress, maintaining accurate clinical documentation, and collaborating with medical, nursing, and behavioral health professionals to promote positive treatment outcomes.

The LAC will perform counseling duties within their authorized scope of practice and applicable credentialing requirements. The ACT will perform assigned counseling duties under the supervision and direction required by applicable regulations and facility policy, while developing the clinical knowledge and competencies necessary for professional advancement.

Key ResponsibilitiesAssessment & Treatment Planning

• Conduct substance use disorder assessments and gather relevant psychosocial, behavioral, and treatment history information within the employee's authorized scope of practice.
• Assist in identifying client strengths, needs, treatment goals, and barriers to recovery.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review individualized treatment plans in collaboration with clients and the treatment team.
• Participate in admission assessments, treatment reviews, discharge planning, and continuing-care coordination.
• Identify potential co-occurring mental health concerns and refer clients to appropriate licensed professionals when further assessment or intervention is needed.
• Incorporate trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approaches into client care.

Individual Counseling & Client Support

• Provide individual counseling and therapeutic interventions consistent with the counselor's credential, training, competency, and authorized scope of practice.
• Establish therapeutic relationships built on trust, empathy, respect, and professional boundaries.
• Utilize evidence-based approaches, such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral strategies, relapse prevention, and other appropriate counseling modalities.
• Support clients in identifying triggers, developing coping skills, addressing substance use patterns, and building recovery-focused goals.
• Assist clients in developing healthy communication, emotional regulation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Monitor client progress and adjust counseling approaches in collaboration with the treatment team.
• Provide crisis support within the employee's training and scope, escalating clinical emergencies and safety concerns to appropriate personnel.

Group Counseling & Psychoeducation

• Facilitate therapeutic, educational, and recovery-focused group sessions.
• Develop and deliver group content addressing substance use disorders, relapse prevention, coping skills, emotional wellness, healthy relationships, and recovery planning.
• Encourage meaningful client participation in a safe, respectful, and supportive group environment.
• Maintain appropriate group boundaries and address disruptive or concerning behaviors in accordance with facility policies.
• Document group attendance, participation, interventions, and client responses as required.
• Adapt group facilitation approaches to meet the needs, abilities, and treatment goals of clients.

Detoxification & Residential Treatment Support

• Provide counseling and recovery support to clients receiving medically assisted detoxification and residential substance use disorder treatment.
• Collaborate with nursing and medical staff to support clients experiencing withdrawal symptoms, cravings, emotional distress, or other treatment-related challenges.
• Observe and report changes in client behavior, emotional presentation, engagement, or overall condition to the appropriate clinical or medical personnel.
• Provide recovery education and emotional support during the detoxification and stabilization process.
• Assist clients in identifying recovery resources, developing coping strategies, and preparing for continued treatment.
• Participate in treatment team discussions regarding client progress, barriers to treatment, and discharge readiness.

Clinical Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in the electronic health record.
• Complete assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, group notes, discharge summaries, and other required clinical records.
• Ensure documentation reflects services provided, client participation, progress toward treatment goals, and ongoing clinical needs.
• Complete documentation in accordance with facility policies, payer requirements, applicable regulations, and professional standards.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other applicable privacy requirements.
• Participate in clinical audits, quality assurance activities, and documentation reviews as required.
• Report incidents, safety concerns, ethical concerns, and other reportable events in accordance with facility policy.

Treatment Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with medical providers, nurses, medication aides, behavioral health technicians, case managers, and other clinical staff to provide coordinated, client-centered care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings, case consultations, clinical supervision, and staff meetings as required.
• Communicate relevant clinical observations, treatment progress, and client needs to appropriate team members.
• Assist with referrals to community resources, continuing care, housing support, peer recovery services, and other appropriate services.
• Participate in discharge planning to support continuity of care and successful transitions to community-based recovery resources.
• Maintain professional communication and follow the established chain of command when addressing clinical concerns.

Professional Development & Supervision

• Maintain all required professional credentials, registrations, and continuing education.
• Participate in required clinical supervision, case consultation, and competency development.
• For ACT employees, actively engage in required supervision, training, documentation review, and professional development toward applicable credentialing requirements.
• Seek guidance when clinical situations fall outside the employee's training, competency, or authorized scope of practice.
• Remain current on evidence-based counseling practices, substance use disorder treatment approaches, ethical standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Participate in required facility training, policy reviews, and performance evaluations.

Compliance & Client Safety

• Maintain compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, professional ethical standards, licensing requirements, and Buffalo Plains Recovery policies.
• Provide services in a manner that respects client dignity, autonomy, cultural identity, and individual recovery goals.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest.
• Follow facility emergency preparedness, infection prevention, and safety procedures.
• Recognize and report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, suicidal ideation, threats of harm, and other safety concerns in accordance with applicable laws and facility policies.
• Practice within the employee's authorized scope, training, competency, and supervision requirements.

Minimum QualificationsRequired

• LAC: Current Licensed Addiction Counselor credential in good standing, as applicable to the position and services provided.
• ACT: Current Addiction Counselor Trainee credential, registration, or other applicable authorization required by South Dakota regulations and facility policy.
• Education and training appropriate to the applicable credential and position.
• Ability to complete required facility orientation, training, and competency assessments.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Ability to comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and all applicable state and federal requirements.
• Successful completion of applicable background checks and pre-employment screenings.

Preferred

• Previous experience in substance use disorder treatment, detoxification, residential treatment, behavioral health, or a related clinical setting.
• Experience providing individual counseling, facilitating therapeutic groups, and developing treatment plans.
• Familiarity with evidence-based counseling approaches, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral strategies.
• Experience with electronic health records and clinical documentation.
• Knowledge of withdrawal management, relapse prevention, co-occurring disorders, and recovery-oriented care.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations and individuals experiencing complex behavioral health and substance use challenges.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Effective counseling, active listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries.
• Strong clinical judgment appropriate to credential, training, and supervision level.
• Ability to recognize client needs, identify potential risks, and communicate concerns promptly.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to clinical documentation.
• Ability to facilitate groups and manage challenging interpersonal dynamics.
• Ability to work independently within authorized responsibilities and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Compassion, patience, cultural humility, and a commitment to client-centered care.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-focused in emotionally challenging situations.

Scope of Practice & Supervision

The LAC / ACT must provide services only within the limits of their education, credential, training, competency, and applicable laws and regulations.

• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC): Provides counseling and clinical services within the authorized scope of their license, applicable professional standards, and facility policies.
• Addiction Counselor Trainee (ACT): Provides assigned counseling services under the supervision and oversight required by applicable South Dakota regulations, credentialing requirements, and facility policy. The ACT must participate in required supervision and may not independently perform services beyond their authorized scope.
• Neither role may independently diagnose or treat medical conditions, prescribe medications, or perform duties requiring a separate professional license unless independently authorized to do so.
• All employees must seek appropriate clinical consultation or supervision when uncertain about a client’s needs, safety, treatment approach, or professional responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods as needed.
• Ability to facilitate individual and group counseling sessions in a residential treatment environment.
• Ability to respond appropriately to client emergencies and other urgent situations.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds as needed.
• Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment

This position operates within a medically assisted detoxification and residential substance use disorder treatment environment. Employees will work directly with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, withdrawal symptoms, emotional distress, and other complex treatment needs.

The work environment requires flexibility, professionalism, sound clinical judgment, teamwork, and the ability to respond effectively to changing client needs. Evening, weekend, or holiday coverage may be required based on facility operations.

What Buffalo Plains Recovery Offers

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.
• A collaborative, supportive, and recovery-focused work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth, continuing education, and clinical development.
• Clinical supervision and professional development opportunities for eligible ACT employees.
• Competitive compensation based on qualifications, credentials, and experience.
• Benefits and paid time off for eligible employees, in accordance with facility policies.

Join the Buffalo Plains Recovery Team

At Buffalo Plains Recovery, we believe recovery is possible and that every individual deserves compassionate, respectful, and individualized care. We are committed to supporting our clients as they work toward lasting recovery while fostering a workplace where our team members can grow professionally and make a meaningful impact.

Whether you are an experienced Licensed Addiction Counselor or an Addiction Counselor Trainee working toward your professional goals, we invite you to join our team and be part of a mission dedicated to hope, healing, and recovery.

Pay: $25.00 - $34.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person