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Substance Abuse Specialist Vital Community Care Baker, LA Job Details Full-time | Contract $13 - $16 an hour 14 hours ago Qualifications Behavior management Care documentation Company vehicle operation High school diploma or GED Driver's License Meal preparation Conflict management Emotional safety support Emergency response procedures Clinical confidentiality policies Full Job Description Job Summary We are seeking a dependable, compassionate, and hands-on Residential Substance Abuse Specialist / Behavioral Health Technician to support adult clients in a structured substance use recovery residential environment. This position is responsible for maintaining the safety, structure, cleanliness, accountability, and daily operation of the residence during the assigned shift. This is an active direct-care position. Staff are expected to be present and engaged with clients throughout the shift, not isolated in the office. The Residential Substance Abuse Specialist / Behavioral Health Technician will assist clients with daily living skills, meal preparation, household responsibilities, recovery activities, meditation, 12-step participation, community outings, employment preparation, and maintaining a healthy recovery environment. Staff will also monitor client behavior, complete required room and safety checks, document shift activities, and immediately report concerns to appropriate leadership. Duties Provide direct supervision, monitoring, support, and engagement with residents throughout the entire assigned shift. Remain awake, alert, visible, and accessible throughout the shift, including overnight shifts. Sleeping while on duty is prohibited. Maintain appropriate staff presence throughout the residence rather than remaining unnecessarily isolated or locked inside the staff office. Conduct and document required room checks, client checks, safety checks, and facility rounds according to program policy. Complete routine bedroom inspections to ensure rooms are clean, organized, safe, and free of prohibited items or other concerns. Monitor client whereabouts and immediately address or report unauthorized absences, missing clients, or clients attempting to leave the residence without following established procedures. Never leave residents unattended when staff coverage is required. Remain on duty until scheduled relief arrives. If relief does not report as scheduled, immediately notify management and remain at the residence until appropriate coverage is arranged. Assist residents with establishing and following structured daily routines. Facilitate or support morning and/or evening meditation, reflection, recovery discussions, house meetings, and other approved recovery-focused activities. Encourage and support participation in 12-step meetings, AA/NA meetings, recovery meetings, sponsorship, and other approved community recovery supports. Assist with transportation to approved recovery meetings, appointments, activities, and community outings when authorized. Supervise and actively participate in approved community outings and recreational activities, ensuring appropriate resident accountability and safety. Encourage residents to participate in scheduled outpatient treatment, IOP, individual therapy, group services, medical appointments, medication-management appointments, and other components of their treatment and recovery plans. Support residents in developing independent living skills, accountability, healthy routines, communication skills, coping skills, and responsible decision-making. Assist residents with employment preparation including job searches, applications, resumes, interview preparation, and establishing productive daily routines when appropriate. Assist residents with meal planning and meal preparation/cooking according to the established house schedule. Ensure scheduled meals are prepared and residents have appropriate access to meals according to program procedures. Monitor the kitchen during food preparation and meal periods and ensure food, kitchen supplies, and equipment are used appropriately. Assist with preparation of weekly grocery needs and communicate grocery requests to the House Manager according to established procedures. Ensure grocery purchases and available food support complete meals for the residence and monitor food usage to reduce unnecessary waste. Ensure residents participate in assigned household responsibilities and follow the established cooking and cleaning schedules. Monitor completion of daily and weekly cleaning responsibilities including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, common areas, floors, trash, laundry areas, and other assigned spaces. Inspect completed cleaning assignments and address incomplete responsibilities appropriately. Promote personal hygiene, appropriate grooming, clean living spaces, and healthy daily living habits. Conduct routine house inspections throughout the shift to identify cleanliness, maintenance, safety, or security concerns. Monitor refrigerators, food-storage areas, common areas, entrances, exits, and other areas of the residence according to program procedures. Maintain a structured environment while treating every resident with dignity and respect. Build professional and supportive relationships with residents while maintaining appropriate staff/client boundaries. Observe resident behavior, mood, participation, interactions, and changes in functioning and report significant concerns to appropriate leadership. Immediately report suspected substance use, relapse, intoxication, withdrawal concerns, behavioral escalation, threats, fights, medical concerns, suicidal statements, self-harm concerns, or other safety issues. Follow established procedures for drug and alcohol testing when trained and authorized. Do not independently provide therapy, diagnose clients, alter treatment plans, or make clinical decisions outside the responsibilities of the Behavioral Health Technician position. Clinical concerns must be referred to the appropriate licensed clinical professional. Complete accurate shift notes, client observations, safety checks, room checks, incident reports, transportation documentation, and other required records. Document significant events before leaving the assigned shift and communicate necessary information during shift change. Immediately complete incident reports for falls, injuries, fights, suspected substance use, unauthorized departures, medication concerns, property damage, emergency services involvement, or other reportable events. Follow established procedures when a resident leaves the program unexpectedly or against program recommendations and immediately notify appropriate management. Assist with new resident orientation, including reviewing house expectations, schedules, daily routines, assigned responsibilities, and basic program procedures. Assist with approved admission and discharge responsibilities as directed by management. Monitor compliance with house expectations including smoking only in designated areas. Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, applicable substance use confidentiality requirements, organizational policies, and professional boundaries. Follow the established chain of command and communicate concerns to the appropriate supervisor rather than discussing confidential administrative or client matters with unauthorized employees or residents. Participate in shift meetings, staff meetings, training, supervision, emergency drills, and other required program activities. Maintain a professional residential environment and model appropriate communication, accountability, conflict resolution, and behavior for residents. Assist the House Manager and leadership with maintaining adequate supplies and identifying household, food, maintenance, or safety needs. Perform additional residential support responsibilities necessary to maintain a safe, clean, structured, recovery-focused environment. Requirements High school diploma or GED required. Previous experience in substance use treatment, behavioral health, mental health, residential treatment, recovery housing, healthcare, corrections, social services, or another direct-care environment is preferred. Experience working with adults experiencing substance use disorders and/or co-occurring behavioral health concerns is strongly preferred. Knowledge of addiction, recovery, relapse prevention, 12-step programs, professional boundaries, and recovery-oriented care is preferred. Must be comfortable working in a structured residential environment and enforcing program and house expectations consistently. Must be willing and able to cook, assist with meals, monitor cleaning, conduct room checks, participate in recovery activities, attend approved outings, and remain actively engaged with residents. Must be dependable and able to report to scheduled shifts on time. Must remain awake and alert throughout the entire assigned shift. Must be able to work assigned 6:00 AM-2:00 PM, 2:00 PM-10:00 PM, and/or 10:00 PM-6:00 AM shifts based on staffing needs. Must understand that employees may not leave the residence without proper staff relief when coverage is required. Strong communication, observation, documentation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills required. Ability to respond calmly and appropriately to behavioral concerns, emergencies, and challenging situations. Ability to maintain professional boundaries while developing positive and supportive relationships with residents. Ability to follow instructions, program schedules, safety procedures, and the established chain of command. Must maintain client confidentiality at all times. Must successfully complete required background checks, screenings, orientation, and required training. Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required when assigned to transport residents or operate company vehicles. CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain required certification within the organization's established timeframe. Experience working in an ASAM residential substance use treatment or recovery program is highly desirable. Our Expectation This is not a sit-down position. Residential staff are an active part of the residents' recovery environment. We expect our Behavioral Health Technicians to know what is happening in the house, interact with residents, ensure schedules are being followed, monitor meals and cleanliness, participate in recovery activities, complete required checks, and communicate concerns to leadership. Our goal is not simply to provide residents with a place to stay. Our goal is to provide structure, accountability, support, life skills, and a recovery-focused environment that helps prepare residents for successful independent living and continued recovery.

Pay:

$13.00 - $16.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person