AOD Counselor in Newcastle upon Tyne

Join a Mission. Build a Future. Save Lives. At First Steps Recovery, we don’t just offer jobs — we offer purpose. As a leading, accredited behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment facility, our work changes lives daily. If you’re driven by compassion, grounded in integrity, and thrive in a supportive, recovery-focused environment, you’re exactly who we’re looking for. When you join First Steps Recovery, you become part of a tight-knit, multidisciplinary team that values empathy, growth, and evidence-based care. Whether you’re working directly with clients or behind the scenes, every role here matters — and every day is an opportunity to make a difference.

Besides being an amazing company to work for, we also offer:

• Medical, Dental, Vision benefits for full time employees
• PTO / Sick Leave Plans for full time and part time employees
• Free Employee Assistance Program for full time and part time employees
• Free Legal consultations and benefits for full time and part time employees
• Free Life Insurance for full time employees
• Generous 401K program for full time and part time employees

If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, we invite you to take your next step with us!

Position Summary

AODC Counselors are responsible for coordinating and providing individual counselling and clinical services, group sessions, individual sessions and intake assessment services to residents both at inpatient and outpatient levels of care if applicable. The AODC Counselor provides development of resident resources, vocational counselling, discharge/continuing care planning, and placement of residents if applicable. Counselors will work in collaboration with the treatment team to plan and coordinate the resident’s progress through the continuum of care.

Essential Functions

• Uphold and enforce First Steps Recovery standards, policies and procedures, resident rights, and professional code of ethics and conduct.
• Ability to utilize agency comprehensive assessment tools in KIPU (Initial Treatment Plan, Discharge Planning, Initial Intake Assessment).
• Identify and prioritize individual needs and problems of the patient.
• Prepare comprehensive interpretive clinical summaries (as seen in KIPU).
• Develop person-centered care plans, including prioritized problem lists, SNAP, resident-reported goals, measurable and achievable objectives, and interventions.
• Provide individual and group counselling sessions utilizing Evidence Based Practices.
• Document resident progress toward treatment plan goals and objectives in Golden Thread.
• Prepare effective care level step-down Transition notes.
• Develop strong discharge plans and summaries for assigned caseload.
• Prepare clinical documentation accurately and within agency time frames, including completion and documentation of groups.
• Intervene during crisis intervention situations.
• Cooperate with health insurance clinical utilization reviews.
• Provide daily Progress Notes and detailed Clinical Notes to assist with UR’s.
• Participate in weekly Clinical Treatment team meetings with other team members as needed.
• Participate in the agency’s Orientation training, staff meetings, and in-service training.
• Provide information to and Spouses/Family Members on the resident’s behalf.
• Provide appropriate treatment interventions relative to the specific needs of each resident.
• Provide for discharge planning, contacting referring agency as needed.
• Adhere to code of ethics, legal aspects of clinical practice, professional standards, duty to warn, abuse and neglect reporting policies and procedures, and exercise professionalism at all times.
• Exercise awareness in cultural competency, resident satisfaction, quality of services, resident needs, and overall health and safety staff and residents.

Competencies

• Ability to perform duties as a counselor (12 Core Functions).
• Competencies: with respect to screening, assessment, individualized treatment planning, crisis intervention, group and individual counselling, referral, discharge summaries, clinical documentation, and professional ethics.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, utilization review, managed health care clinicians, medical and mental health professionals.
• Ability to positively interact and develop rapport with residents and their families.

Education

Preferred AA or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in the Human Services or Behavioral Health. Registered as an AOD intern or a RADT-1 Intern Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certification Desired. (CCAPP, CAADE, CADTP or Affiliate)

Experience

1-2 years experience in the field of addiction and mental health or equivalent human services work experience preferred. Experience in co-occurring disorders treatment a plus.

Computer Skills

Computer Literacy in doc, spreadsheet, and email. Proficiency in KIPU Systems Resident Management Software.

Certificates & Licenses

CPR/First AID Drug and Alcohol Counseling Credential or Internship Required.

Other Requirements

• Negative TB test results
• Medical Clearance to work
• Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening

Physical Demands

Frequently: Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day) Standing, Walking, Sitting, Transverse Stairs, Handling / Using Fingers.

Occasionally: Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day) Reach Outward, Reach Above Shoulder, Squat or Kneel, Bend or Twist.

Other Physical Demands: Ability to lift/carry 20-50 lbs, Ability to push/pull 20-50 lbs, Moderate frequency of computer keyboarding, Moderate frequency of viewing a computer monitor, Daily cleaning including but not limited to: wiping, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, scrubbing, washing dishes, Assisting in meal preparation, installing water containers for consumption, and shopping as necessary including pushing of carts and carrying grocery boxes/bags, Conducting garbage disposal, recycling, and collection, Occasional walks, hikes, and sports outings with residents for physical activities, Frequent support of residents in gym environment.

Work Environment

Work is performed during day and night shifts primarily in residential detox facility. This includes work in facility office as well as the grounds of the entire facility including upstairs resident rooms, clinical office, and laundry room that are accessed via staircase, and outdoor grounds. Technicians periodically drive residents in company vehicles for intakes/discharges at other treatment facilities and transportation hubs, to doctor appointments, to outings and recovery meetings. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.

Blood/Fluid Exposure Risk

Some job tasks involve exposure to blood, body fluids and/or tissue. Staff must wear gloves and follow infectious control procedures when interacting with residents in conditions in which exposure is possible such as handling onsite urinary analysis, conducting first aid, and conducting search of resident’s belonging and person. Staff may be exposed to infectious disease, needles, and illicit substances during searches.

Work Schedule

As a non-exempt hourly employee, the employee shall work a designated schedule as assigned by management. Employee shall not work over 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week without prior authorization from management but if so, will earn overtime for any work performed in excess of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Employee must also follow company’s policies regarding required meals and breaks.