Overnight SUD Counselor

About us

The Twelfth Step House of San Diego dba Heartland House is a small business in San Diego, CA. We are professional, agile and our goal is to serve men recovering from substance use disorder and related co-occurring conditions. Our overall goals are to provide a living environment conducive to continued recovery, conduct an educational program that helps the newly recovering alcoholic/addict establish a long-term support system, and generate attitudes that enhance self-sufficiency, self-worth and an ongoing quality of life. Please find more information on our website, HeartlandHouse.org.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELOR (OVERNIGHT)

Status: Registered or Certified

Our Culture & Trauma-Informed Values

At Heartland House, we believe that the environment is a co-facilitator in the healing process. We are looking for an Overnight Counselor who embodies the following core principles:

• · Safety Through Consistency**:** You understand that for those healing from trauma, predictability is medicine. You take pride in maintaining a calm, stable, and reliable environment while the rest of the world is asleep.
• · Empowerment Over Control: You approach boundaries not as "rules to be enforced," but as "agreements to be upheld." You seek to collaborate with residents rather than command them, even during difficult moments or crises.
• · Compassionate Vigilance**:** You recognize that the overnight hours can be the loneliest and most triggering for those in early recovery. You bring a sense of "watchful care" that makes residents feel protected rather than watched.
• · Radical Respect & Dignity**:** Whether you are conducting a drug screen or a medication count, you perform your duties with a level of respect that honors the individual’s humanity and their courageous choice to seek treatment.

Position Overview

The Overnight SUD Counselor serves as a foundational pillar of safety and emotional stability for our residential community during the late-night and early-morning hours. This role ensures the physical and psychological safety of the environment through attentive presence, supportive client engagement, and diligent administrative care, allowing residents to rest and recover in a secure, predictable space.

Line of Supervision

To ensure a high standard of care and professional growth, the Overnight Counselor receives clinical guidance from the Clinical/Program Director and operational support from the Operations/Program Manager.

Position Requirements

• · Professional Credentialing: Current SUD registration or certification (or documented progress toward completion) recognized by the CA Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
• · Safety Preparedness: Valid First Aid/CPR certification, driver’s license, and insurance.
• · Integrity of Care**:** Ability to pass pre-employment and ongoing screenings to ensure a safe environment for vulnerable populations.
• · Technical Literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health records (EHR) to maintain the continuity of client care.
• · Privacy Stewardship: A commitment to the highest standards of HIPAA and professional confidentiality.
• · Collaborative Spirit: Ability to work effectively as a self-directed professional while maintaining seamless communication with the daytime clinical team.
• · Vigilance: Ability to remain fully awake and alert throughout the overnight shift to provide a consistent "safety net" for residents.

Preferred Qualifications

• · Familiarity with Drug-Medi-Cal (DMC) documentation and standards.
• · Lived or professional experience navigating the complexities of alcohol and drug-related recovery.

Core Responsibilities & Duties

Cultivating a Safe & Healing Environment

• · Consistent Presence: Maintain an alert and supportive presence, ensuring the facility remains a secure sanctuary for residents throughout the night.
• · Safety Rounds: Conduct regular, respectful "wellness checks" and facility inspections to ensure the physical integrity of the healing space.
• · Predictable Structure: Uphold community agreements and boundaries through collaborative problem-solving, ensuring a stable environment that reduces client anxiety.

Clinical Support & Crisis Wellness

• · Intervention: Provide compassionate crisis intervention, individual support, and group facilitation as needed during overnight hours.
• · Medication Stewardship: Oversee medication protocols with high accuracy, including bi-weekly inventory counts to ensure the continuity of health services.
• · Screening with Dignity: Conduct drug testing using a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes transparency and the client's recovery journey.

Administrative Excellence

• · Documentation**:** Maintain thorough, accurate, and person-centered documentation that reflects the client’s progress and challenges.
• · Quality Review: Perform daily file audits to ensure that the clinical narrative is up-to-date and compliant with DHCS standards.
• · Professional Growth: Proactively stay current on all professional certification requirements and trauma-informed best practices.
• · Cultural Humility: You are committed to understanding our residents' diverse backgrounds and providing care that is sensitive to their unique life experiences and identities.

Hours and Compensation

• 8 Hour Overnight Shift; 10:30 pm to 7:00 am; Schedule TBD
• Full-Time Benefits: Vacation and Sick Leave, Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance
• Salary: $20-30/Hourly (based upon experience)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Please provide your SUD agency and credentials.

Experience:

• SUD Counselor: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• CA SUD/AOD Certification (Required)

Shift availability:

• Overnight Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person