Job Description

CADC / IADC – Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Facility: Thrive Now Recovery Center

Location: Iowa City, Iowa

Employment Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Primarily Days | Some Evening or Weekend Flexibility May Be Required Based on Program Needs

Join a Mission That Changes Lives

At Thrive Now Recovery Center, we believe recovery is possible—and that compassionate, evidence-based treatment can change the course of a person’s life.

We are seeking a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC/IADC) to join our clinical team in Iowa City. This position is ideal for a counselor who is passionate about substance use disorder treatment, values person-centered and trauma-informed care, and wants to help individuals build a strong foundation for long-term recovery.

As a Substance Use Disorder Counselor, you will provide individual and group counseling, contribute to individualized treatment planning, facilitate recovery-focused programming, and collaborate closely with clinical, medical, nursing, peer support, and case management professionals.

Your work will directly support individuals as they develop the skills, insight, resources, and support systems necessary to move forward in recovery.

About Thrive Now Recovery Center

Thrive Now Recovery Center provides structured, recovery-focused treatment for individuals experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health needs.

Our approach is grounded in:

• Person-centered care
• Evidence-based treatment
• Multiple pathways to recovery
• Trauma-informed practices
• Strong therapeutic relationships
• Interdisciplinary teamwork
• Respect, dignity, accountability, and hope

We believe effective treatment begins by meeting individuals where they are while helping them develop the skills, confidence, support systems, and recovery capital needed for sustainable change.

✨ Why Join Our Team?

At Thrive Now you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful clinical work while being part of a collaborative and growing behavioral health organization.

We offer:

• Mission-driven work that directly impacts individuals and families
• Supportive interdisciplinary clinical team
• Structured onboarding and ongoing training
• Professional development and career-growth opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for eligible employees
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• A workplace committed to ethical, high-quality behavioral healthcare

🧠 What You’ll Do

As a CADC/IADC Substance Use Disorder Counselor, you will provide counseling and treatment services consistent with each patient’s individualized needs, treatment goals, and recovery plan.

Counseling & Clinical Services

• Conduct individual and group substance use disorder counseling sessions.
• Complete assigned clinical assessments, screenings, and other components of the admission and treatment process within the scope of your credential and organizational requirements.
• Develop, implement, review, and update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with patients and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Facilitate evidence-based, recovery-oriented, and psychoeducational groups.
• Provide education related to substance use disorders, relapse prevention, coping skills, emotional regulation, relationships, recovery planning, and other identified treatment needs.
• Monitor patient progress toward established treatment goals and modify interventions based on clinical needs.
• Identify barriers affecting treatment engagement, motivation, recovery, and successful transition to the next level of care.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Communicate relevant patient progress, risks, barriers, and treatment needs to appropriate members of the treatment team.
• Collaborate with case management, peer support, nursing, medical providers, behavioral health technicians, and other treatment professionals.
• Assist with discharge and continuing-care planning to support safe and successful transitions from residential treatment.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, complete, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic medical record.
• Complete documentation in accordance with organizational policies, payer requirements, applicable Iowa requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Protect patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.
• Maintain appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries with patients.
• Follow organizational policies, ethical standards, and requirements applicable to the employee’s professional credential.

Patient Safety & Clinical Support

• Recognize and appropriately escalate concerns involving patient safety, relapse risk, significant behavioral changes, suicidal ideation, or other clinical concerns.
• Utilize appropriate de-escalation, therapeutic communication, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Seek clinical consultation or supervisory support when patient needs exceed the scope of the counselor’s role or credential.
• Participate in clinical supervision, consultation, training, quality-improvement activities, and required competency assessments.
• Maintain required credentials, continuing education, and professional standards.
• Perform other duties within scope as assigned to support patient care and clinical operations.

Who You Are

We are looking for a counselor who understands that effective substance use disorder treatment requires both clinical skill and genuine human connection.

You are someone who:

• Believes strongly in the possibility of recovery.
• Builds trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Balances compassion with accountability.
• Understands substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health needs.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Is comfortable facilitating individual and group counseling.
• Uses sound clinical judgment and recognizes when consultation is appropriate.
• Values accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and ethical decision-making.
• Is committed to respectful, person-centered, and trauma-informed care.
• Can prioritize responsibilities effectively in a fast-paced treatment environment.

Required Qualifications

• Current CADC or IADC credential recognized in Iowa, or ability to meet the credentialing requirements established for the position.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, recovery principles, relapse prevention, and evidence-based counseling approaches.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong clinical documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary behavioral health treatment team.
• Ability to complete all required pre-employment screenings, orientation, training, and competency requirements.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, social services, psychology, counseling, human services, addiction studies, or a related field is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, behavioral health, addiction studies, or a related field.
• Previous experience in residential substance use disorder treatment.
• Experience providing individual and group counseling.
• Experience working with individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions.
• Familiarity with ASAM criteria and levels of care.
• Experience with evidence-based approaches such as:
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• DBT-informed skills
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Relapse-prevention strategies
• Trauma-informed care
• Experience working within an electronic medical record.
• Familiarity with Joint Commission or similar behavioral healthcare accreditation standards.

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements

This position operates within a residential behavioral health treatment environment and involves regular interaction with individuals who may be experiencing emotional distress, substance-use cravings, behavioral health symptoms, withdrawal-related concerns, or other challenges associated with early recovery.

The position may require regular sitting, standing, walking, facilitating groups for extended periods, and frequent verbal and written communication.

Employees must be able to respond appropriately to behavioral health and patient-safety concerns while maintaining composure, professionalism, and sound clinical judgment in emotionally challenging situations.

Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday availability may be required based on program and patient-care needs.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Compensation

Compensation is competitive and will be determined based on relevant experience, education, credentials, certifications, and overall qualifications. Final compensation may also consider internal equity and applicable market conditions.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you are a substance use disorder counselor who wants to help individuals move beyond addiction and build meaningful, sustainable recovery, we want to hear from you.

💙 Bring your compassion.

🧠 Bring your clinical skills.

🌱 Help someone build a new path forward.

Join Thrive Now Recovery and become part of a team committed to compassionate, high-quality treatment and meaningful opportunities for transformation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Thrive Now Recovery Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.