Alcohol and Drug Counselor Jobs in Pennsylvania
Alcohol and Drug Counselor jobs in Pennsylvania concentrate heavily in community behavioral health centers, hospital systems, and state-contracted treatment programs, with steady demand at both entry-level and licensed clinician levels. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg anchor most of the hiring, where established employers like Penn Medicine, UPMC, and Geisinger maintain active substance use disorder programs. Co-occurring disorders, medication-assisted treatment, and adolescent counseling are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Alcohol and Drug Counselor jobs
Position Summary
Candidates for the position of Outpatient Therapist must have a working knowledge of addiction, individual and group therapy techniques, clinical assessment methods, and the ability to apply that knowledge in the provision of direct care to individuals. As the lead member of a client’s care team, the Outpatient Therapist is uniquely positioned to assist clients in their therapeutic work and preparing them to navigate various challenges of treatment and early recovery in order to step into a life of self-directed, successful recovery. To this end, the Outpatient Therapist is empathetic and compassionate, leveraging skills in counseling techniques, problem solving, communication, time management, and professionalism.
The Outpatient Therapist works at the direction of the Clinical Operations Manager to (1*) provide individualized, evidence-based treatment that is tailored to the client's unique needs, (2) directly manage a client caseload by planning and executing tasks related to advancement through the Blueprints program and beyond, (3) collaborate with other members of the treatment team in the provision of coordinated and comprehensive client care, (4) maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and clinical activities in accordance with departmental, program, regulatory and accreditation standards, and (5*) complete other duties as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor, Site Director, Executive Administrator, and Senior Leadership team.
Duties & Responsibilities
1.) Utilize evidence-based practices in the provision of clinical services in client care, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
2.) Develop and review Treatment Plans--utilizing pre-admission and intake screenings to inform the Problem List--and update them according to their target dates.
3.) Complete insurance utilization activities, including contacting payors to obtain funding authorization.
4.) When necessary, complete Intake Evaluations for prospective clients, completing all required screening and assessment activities to inform the arrangement and delivery of care.
5.) Conduct Individual Therapy sessions with clients on their assigned caseload as requested, providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings.
6.) Conduct the Initial Family Contact for all assigned clients, unless contraindicated, scheduling and facilitating subsequent Family Sessions with clients and their loved ones, when appropriate, to facilitate communication and understanding within the family system.
7.) Participate in Weekly Clinical Staff meeting, as well as any other scheduled or ad hoc meetings to conduct client cases conferences, receive feedback, and contribute to the development of the treatment program.
8.) Assist in engaging clients who are struggling to participate in programming and who express interest in disengaging from services against facility advice, collaborating with and directing the Client Care Coordinator, as necessary.
9.) Complete ASAM Review Notes and Risk Ratings in a thorough and timely manner, using standardized assessment tools and guidelines to evaluate clients' level of care and their risk of relapse or other adverse outcomes.
10.) Participate in a formal Case Consult for all assigned clients with other members of the client’s multi-disciplinary care team, which may include Counselors, Clinical Specialists, Clinical Supervisors, Client Service Coordinators, and/or Case Manager, to discuss complex cases, review treatment plans, and coordinate care.
11.) Conduct Group Process Therapy Sessions with clients on assigned caseload, utilizing evidence-based group therapy techniques to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment for clients to share their experiences and learn from others.
12.) Collaborate with Clinical Compliance, as necessary, to ensure the timely and accurate completion of documentation relevant to clinical activities, which includes, but is not limited to:
- Consents & Releases of Information
- Relevant screening and assessments
- Treatment planning
- Case Consult note
- Case Conference notes
- Aftercare plan
- Discharge summary
- Case Management notes
- Initial Family Contact efforts
- Individual and Family session notes
- Group notes
13.) Complete weekly auditing activities on client charts that are assigned to fellow counselors.
14.) Actively coordinate care during a client’s enrollment in services and ensure, through work with and delegation to Client Services and/or Case Managers, the continuity of care upon a client's discharge via the Aftercare Plan and Discharge Summary, making appropriate referrals for follow-up care as needed, such as MAT referrals, medical referrals, and psychiatric referrals.
a. Ensure that the Recovery Plan created with the client by Client Services is distributed to the client along with the Aftercare Plan prior to discharge.
15.) Complete the County Funding discharge process and all associated documentation, as needed for clients receiving funding via County Drug and Alcohol Commissions.
16.) Complete the discharge process for all assigned clients within the client's Electronic Medical Record, documenting treatment progress and ensuring that all required information is included in the discharge summary.
17.) Schedule, review, and interpret urine drug screenings for assigned clients.
18.) Engage in inter-departmental communication with Medical, Client Services, Residential Services, Transportation, Admissions, Utilization Review, Clinical Compliance, and Intakes, as needed, to ensure that clients receive comprehensive and coordinated care.
19.) Participate in monthly Supervision sessions with Clinical Supervisor, receiving feedback and guidance on client cases and professional development.
20.) Participate in training activities as required by Blueprints and as outlined in PA Code § 704.11, to maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills.
Education & Experience
· Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a physician.
· A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If the practicum did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· Full certification as an addictions counselor by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government’s substance abuse counseling certification board.
It is the policy of Blueprints for Addiction Recovery to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, creed, religion, age, color, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, covered veteran status, or gender identity or expression.
As such, Blueprints will affirmatively recruit, hire, train, and advance employees based upon their abilities, achievements, and experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Position Summary
Candidates for the position of Outpatient Therapist must have a working knowledge of addiction, individual and group therapy techniques, clinical assessment methods, and the ability to apply that knowledge in the provision of direct care to individuals. As the lead member of a client’s care team, the Outpatient Therapist is uniquely positioned to assist clients in their therapeutic work and preparing them to navigate various challenges of treatment and early recovery in order to step into a life of self-directed, successful recovery. To this end, the Outpatient Therapist is empathetic and compassionate, leveraging skills in counseling techniques, problem solving, communication, time management, and professionalism.
The Outpatient Therapist works at the direction of the Clinical Operations Manager to (1*) provide individualized, evidence-based treatment that is tailored to the client's unique needs, (2) directly manage a client caseload by planning and executing tasks related to advancement through the Blueprints program and beyond, (3) collaborate with other members of the treatment team in the provision of coordinated and comprehensive client care, (4) maintain accurate and timely documentation of client interactions and clinical activities in accordance with departmental, program, regulatory and accreditation standards, and (5*) complete other duties as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor, Site Director, Executive Administrator, and Senior Leadership team.
Duties & Responsibilities
1.) Utilize evidence-based practices in the provision of clinical services in client care, adhering to ethical and legal standards.
2.) Develop and review Treatment Plans--utilizing pre-admission and intake screenings to inform the Problem List--and update them according to their target dates.
3.) Complete insurance utilization activities, including contacting payors to obtain funding authorization.
4.) When necessary, complete Intake Evaluations for prospective clients, completing all required screening and assessment activities to inform the arrangement and delivery of care.
5.) Conduct Individual Therapy sessions with clients on their assigned caseload as requested, providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their thoughts and feelings.
6.) Conduct the Initial Family Contact for all assigned clients, unless contraindicated, scheduling and facilitating subsequent Family Sessions with clients and their loved ones, when appropriate, to facilitate communication and understanding within the family system.
7.) Participate in Weekly Clinical Staff meeting, as well as any other scheduled or ad hoc meetings to conduct client cases conferences, receive feedback, and contribute to the development of the treatment program.
8.) Assist in engaging clients who are struggling to participate in programming and who express interest in disengaging from services against facility advice, collaborating with and directing the Client Care Coordinator, as necessary.
9.) Complete ASAM Review Notes and Risk Ratings in a thorough and timely manner, using standardized assessment tools and guidelines to evaluate clients' level of care and their risk of relapse or other adverse outcomes.
10.) Participate in a formal Case Consult for all assigned clients with other members of the client’s multi-disciplinary care team, which may include Counselors, Clinical Specialists, Clinical Supervisors, Client Service Coordinators, and/or Case Manager, to discuss complex cases, review treatment plans, and coordinate care.
11.) Conduct Group Process Therapy Sessions with clients on assigned caseload, utilizing evidence-based group therapy techniques to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment for clients to share their experiences and learn from others.
12.) Collaborate with Clinical Compliance, as necessary, to ensure the timely and accurate completion of documentation relevant to clinical activities, which includes, but is not limited to:
- Consents & Releases of Information
- Relevant screening and assessments
- Treatment planning
- Case Consult note
- Case Conference notes
- Aftercare plan
- Discharge summary
- Case Management notes
- Initial Family Contact efforts
- Individual and Family session notes
- Group notes
13.) Complete weekly auditing activities on client charts that are assigned to fellow counselors.
14.) Actively coordinate care during a client’s enrollment in services and ensure, through work with and delegation to Client Services and/or Case Managers, the continuity of care upon a client's discharge via the Aftercare Plan and Discharge Summary, making appropriate referrals for follow-up care as needed, such as MAT referrals, medical referrals, and psychiatric referrals.
a. Ensure that the Recovery Plan created with the client by Client Services is distributed to the client along with the Aftercare Plan prior to discharge.
15.) Complete the County Funding discharge process and all associated documentation, as needed for clients receiving funding via County Drug and Alcohol Commissions.
16.) Complete the discharge process for all assigned clients within the client's Electronic Medical Record, documenting treatment progress and ensuring that all required information is included in the discharge summary.
17.) Schedule, review, and interpret urine drug screenings for assigned clients.
18.) Engage in inter-departmental communication with Medical, Client Services, Residential Services, Transportation, Admissions, Utilization Review, Clinical Compliance, and Intakes, as needed, to ensure that clients receive comprehensive and coordinated care.
19.) Participate in monthly Supervision sessions with Clinical Supervisor, receiving feedback and guidance on client cases and professional development.
20.) Participate in training activities as required by Blueprints and as outlined in PA Code § 704.11, to maintain and enhance professional knowledge and skills.
Education & Experience
· Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a physician.
· A Master’s Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If the practicum did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person’s experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual’s written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
· Full certification as an addictions counselor by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government’s substance abuse counseling certification board.
It is the policy of Blueprints for Addiction Recovery to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, creed, religion, age, color, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, covered veteran status, or gender identity or expression.
As such, Blueprints will affirmatively recruit, hire, train, and advance employees based upon their abilities, achievements, and experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 20 Alcohol and Drug Counselor Jobs in Pennsylvania
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Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Alcohol and Drug Counselor Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in alcohol and drug counselor jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Active Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselor or CADC credential required for clinical roles
- Bachelor's or master's degree in counseling, social work, or a related behavioral health field
- Experience providing individual and group counseling in a substance use disorder setting
- Familiarity with evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy
- Ability to complete documentation in electronic health record systems in a timely manner
- Valid Pennsylvania driver's license and reliable transportation for community outreach positions
Alcohol and Drug Counselor Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a alcohol and drug counselor in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania credentials alcohol and drug counselors through the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, with the Licensed Professional Counselor designation being the most widely required for clinical roles. Candidates typically complete a master's degree in counseling or a related field, accumulate supervised clinical hours, and pass the National Counselor Examination. Those entering through a substance-use-specific path can pursue the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential, which has its own supervised hours and exam requirements recognized by many Pennsylvania employers.
Which companies hire alcohol and drug counselors in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania alcohol and drug counselor roles are posted by Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, Pennsylvania Counseling Services, and Trehab and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Pennsylvania's dense network of community behavioral health organizations, federally qualified health centers, and large integrated health systems like UPMC and Penn Medicine makes it one of the more active state markets for this role.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most alcohol and drug counselor jobs?
Erie, Pottstown, and Pittsburgh have the most alcohol and drug counselor openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia leads because of its size and concentration of hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, and city-contracted treatment programs, while Pittsburgh's demand is driven by UPMC and Allegheny Health Network, and Harrisburg reflects the density of state government-funded behavioral health contracts in the capital region.
Are there remote alcohol and drug counselor jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they are limited. About 0% of alcohol and drug counselor openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that much of the work involves in-person counseling sessions, group programming, and crisis response. Telehealth counseling roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, particularly for outpatient follow-up and case management functions.
How can I get hired as a alcohol and drug counselor in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a behavioral health technician or mental health support specialist role at a community treatment center or hospital system, which provides the supervised hours needed for licensure without requiring prior clinical experience. Large Pennsylvania employers like UPMC and Penn Medicine operate structured new-graduate programs, and many county behavioral health authorities fund entry-level positions that pair new counselors with licensed supervisors. Completing a CADC internship or volunteer placement at a Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs-contracted provider strengthens an application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to alcohol and drug counselor jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to alcohol and drug counselor jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current Pennsylvania openings from behavioral health organizations, hospital systems, and treatment centers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your credentials and experience, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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