Medication-Assisted Treatment Licensed Professional Counselor Job Description Job Title:

Licensed Professional Counselor -

MAT Program Department:

Behavioral Health Services Reports To:

Clinical Director or MAT Program Director Employment Status:

Full-Time/Part-Time FLSA Status:

Exempt Location:

[Insert Location] Position Summary The Licensed Professional Counselor provides clinical counseling and behavioral health services to individuals participating in the Medication-Assisted Treatment program. The counselor works as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team to support individuals experiencing opioid use disorder, substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and related psychosocial needs. The counselor conducts clinical assessments, develops individualized treatment plans, provides individual and group counseling, monitors treatment progress, and coordinates services with medical providers, care coordinators, peer recovery specialists, and community partners. Services must be person-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, culturally responsive, and consistent with applicable regulatory, ethical, and organizational standards. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning Complete comprehensive clinical assessments and substance-use evaluations. Assess mental health symptoms, substance-use patterns, recovery supports, risks, strengths, barriers, and treatment needs. Complete suicide, self-harm, violence, relapse, withdrawal, and other clinically appropriate risk screenings. Develop individualized, measurable, and person-centered treatment plans in collaboration with the individual and treatment team. Review and update treatment plans according to program requirements and changes in the individual's condition. Determine appropriate clinical interventions, service frequency, and referrals based on assessed needs. Counseling Services Provide individual, family, and group counseling to individuals receiving MAT services. Use evidence-informed interventions appropriate for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Incorporate motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral strategies, relapse-prevention education, harm-reduction principles, and recovery-support techniques. Educate individuals about substance use disorders, triggers, cravings, coping skills, medication adherence, recovery planning, and overdose prevention. Assist individuals in developing relapse-prevention plans, crisis plans, wellness plans, and natural support systems. Address barriers affecting treatment participation, including transportation, housing instability, legal concerns, family conflict, employment, and access to community resources. MAT Program Collaboration Collaborate with physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, care coordinators, peer recovery specialists, case managers, and administrative staff. Participate in interdisciplinary treatment-team meetings and case consultations. Provide clinical input regarding treatment progress, readiness for changes in service intensity, and continuing-care needs. Coordinate behavioral health counseling with the individual's prescribed medication plan while remaining within the counselor's professional scope. Support medication adherence through counseling, education, motivational interventions, and coordination with authorized medical personnel. Communicate significant clinical changes, safety concerns, suspected medication diversion, intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, or treatment barriers to the appropriate team member. Participate in discharge, transfer, and continuing-care planning. Crisis Intervention and Safety Assess and respond to behavioral health crises according to organizational procedures. Develop safety plans and coordinate emergency or higher-level services when clinically indicated. Immediately report concerns involving suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, abuse, neglect, exploitation, overdose risk, or medical instability. Follow mandated-reporting requirements and organizational incident-reporting procedures. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect individual rights, dignity, privacy, and confidentiality. Documentation and Compliance Complete clinical documentation accurately and within required timeframes. Document assessments, treatment plans, counseling sessions, group services, care coordination, crisis interventions, treatment-team participation, and discharge planning. Ensure documentation supports the services provided, clinical necessity, progress toward treatment goals, and the individual's response to interventions. Maintain records in the organization's electronic health record system. Obtain appropriate releases of information before coordinating with outside providers or supports. Comply with

HIPAA, 42 CFR

Part 2, professional ethical standards, organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations. Participate in chart reviews, quality-improvement activities, utilization reviews, audits, and corrective-action processes. Complete all required training, supervision, credentialing, and continuing-education activities. Community Coordination Coordinate services with hospitals, detoxification programs, residential programs, primary-care providers, behavioral health providers, probation or court personnel, social-services agencies, and other community partners when authorized. Provide referrals for housing, employment, transportation, medical care, psychiatric care, peer support, recovery groups, and other needed resources. Advocate for access to appropriate treatment and recovery-support services. Support smooth transitions between levels of care. Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a closely related behavioral health field from an accredited institution. Current and unrestricted Licensed Professional Counselor license in the Commonwealth of Virginia, or other credential specifically approved by the organization and applicable regulatory authorities. Experience providing counseling services to individuals with substance use disorders, opioid use disorder, or co-occurring mental health conditions. Knowledge of Medication-Assisted Treatment, recovery-oriented care, relapse prevention, trauma-informed care, and person-centered treatment planning. Ability to complete clinically appropriate assessments and develop individualized treatment plans. Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team. Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation. Successful completion of required background checks, exclusion checks, credentialing, and employment screenings. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience working in an outpatient MAT, OBAT, opioid-treatment, or substance-use treatment program. Training in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, or co-occurring-disorder treatment. Experience facilitating substance-use recovery or psychoeducational groups. Familiarity with Virginia behavioral health regulations, Medicaid requirements, and managed-care documentation standards. Certification or specialized training related to substance-use treatment. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong clinical assessment and counseling skills. Knowledge of opioid use disorder, substance-use disorders, withdrawal, relapse risks, overdose prevention, and recovery supports. Understanding of the roles of FDA-approved medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder. Ability to identify and respond appropriately to behavioral health and substance-related emergencies. Ability to manage a clinical caseload and meet documentation deadlines. Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound clinical judgment. Ability to use electronic health records, email, telehealth platforms, and other required technology. Supervisory Responsibilities This position does not normally include direct supervisory responsibilities unless specifically assigned. The counselor may provide clinical guidance, consultation, or support to counseling residents, interns, care coordinators, peer recovery specialists, or other team members within the limits of applicable licensing and supervision requirements. Work Environment Services may be provided in an outpatient clinic, treatment center, community setting, telehealth environment, or other approved location. The position may involve interaction with individuals who are experiencing emotional distress, intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, behavioral health crises, or unstable living circumstances. Physical Requirements The employee must be able to: Sit, stand, walk, communicate, and use a computer for extended periods. Participate in office-based and community-based service activities. Maintain the ability to respond appropriately during emergency or crisis situations. Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Schedule and Availability Maintain the schedule established by the MAT program. Attend required clinical meetings, supervision sessions, trainings, and staff meetings. Provide evening, weekend, on-call, or crisis-support coverage when assigned by the organization. Maintain reliable attendance and timely communication regarding absences or scheduling concerns. Performance Expectations The Licensed Professional Counselor is expected to: Provide ethical, respectful, person-centered, and clinically appropriate services. Maintain all required licenses, credentials, training, and continuing-education requirements. Complete documentation within organizational and payer-established deadlines. Maintain productivity and caseload expectations established by the organization. Participate actively in interdisciplinary treatment planning. Follow all safety, confidentiality, human-rights, incident-reporting, and compliance procedures. Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and sound clinical judgment. Disclaimer This job description describes the general duties and qualifications associated with the position. It does not contain every duty that may be assigned. Responsibilities may be modified based on program needs, regulatory requirements, payer standards, and organizational operations. Employees must perform only those duties permitted by their education, training, credentials, professional license, demonstrated competency, and applicable law.