Popular Substance Abuse Counselor Duties and Skills

Addiction counseling

• Definition : Skill or experience working with individuals experiencing addiction or substance abuse.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 45.1% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Motivational interviewing

• Definition : Experience conducting motivational interviewing as a counseling method.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 10.7% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Social work

• Definition : Experience in social work.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 6.8% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Case management

• Definition : Experience assessing, planning, and coordinating healthcare services.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 6.6% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Intake

• Definition : Experience with intake assessments, including obtaining and reviewing prior medical records, performing patient intake interviews, and managing new patient forms.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 4.7% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Behavioral health

• Definition : Experience in or knowledge of behavioral health care. This may include administering assessments, providing counseling services, or knowledge of behavioral health theories.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 4.6% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LCAS

• Definition : A license to work as a clinical addictions specialist awarded by NCASPPB (North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board) upon passing the IC&RC ADC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium Alcohol and Drug Counselor) examination and fulfilling the required criteria. Requires a Master’s degree.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 4% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LCDC

• Definition : A license to work as an addiction counselor in Texas, awarded upon passing the Chemical Dependency Counselor examination and completing 270 hours of required training and 4,000 hours of supervised work experience.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 3.9% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Substance Abuse Counseling Certification

• Definition : A license to work as a substance counselor, typically awarded upon passing a national or state licensing exam and background check.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 3.8% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

CASAC

• Definition : A license to work as a substance use disorder counselor awarded by New York State OASAS (Office of Addiction Services and Supports) Credential Unit upon passing the IC&RC ADC (International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium Alcohol and Drug Counselor) examination and completing 350 hours of required education and training and 6,000 hours of supervised work experience.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 3.4% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LMHCA

• Definition : A license to work as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of Washington awarded upon passing the NCE (National Counseling Examination) or NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam). Requires a master’s degree.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 0
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.8% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LCDC II

• Definition : A license to work as a chemical dependency counselor awarded by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board upon passing the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) examination and completing 2,000 hours of chemical dependency counseling related experience, whether compensated or supervised. Requires an Associate’s degree.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.7% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

QMHP Certification

• Definition : License issued, upon successful application, to individuals who satisfy mental healthcare education and professional experience requirements as defined individually by state. The state of Virginia provides the QMHP-A (Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult) and QMHP-C (Qualified Mental Health Professional - Child) sub-specializations of QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional) licensure.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.7% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

CAC II

• Definition : A certification for addiction counselors awarded by the Colorado State Board of Addiction Counselor Examiners upon satisfying the requirements for CAC I (Certified Addiction Counselor I) as well as additional coursework and passing either the NCAC I (National Certified Addiction Counselor I) or NCAC II examination.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.4% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LCDC III

• Definition : A license to work as a chemical dependency counselor awarded by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board upon passing the ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) examination and completing 2,000 hours of chemical dependency counseling related experience, whether compensated or supervised. Requires a Bachelor’s degree.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.2% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LGPC

• Definition : A license to work as a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor in the state of Maryland awarded upon passing the NCE (National Counseling Examination) or NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam). Requires a master’s degree.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.1% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Group therapy

• Definition : Skill or experience in the psychotherapy that involves leading a group of people who are experiencing similar problems and share their issues to help one another.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1.1% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Crisis intervention

• Definition : Skill or experience in providing crisis intervention for children, adults, families, or other groups.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 1% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Research

• Definition : Experience or skill conducting research.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.8% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Data collection

• Definition : Experience researching and gathering objective and accurate information relevant to subjects of interest.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.7% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Medical terminology

• Definition : Knowledge of or experience with medical terminology.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 0
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.5% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

PTSD Care

• Definition : Experience treating or working with individuals with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).
• Years of experience most commonly required: 9-10
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.5% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LMHP

• Definition : A license to work as a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner, awarded upon passing a state-recognized counselor examination, such as the NCE (National Counselor Examination) or NCMHCE (National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam), and completing a certain number of hours of supervised clinical experience. Requires a master’s degree.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.4% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Crisis management

• Definition : Experience providing individuals or groups with support and counseling during a crisis.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.3% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Clinical counseling

• Definition : Knowledge of or experience in clinical counseling principles, programs, or methodology.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

HIPAA

• Definition : Knowledge of the laws related to the privacy and security of medical information as established in the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1-2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Mental health counseling

• Definition : Skill or experience providing mental health services, such as treating anxiety, depression, addictions, or other mental health ailments.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2-3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

LADAC

• Definition : A license to work as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor awarded by the New Mexico Counseling & Therapy Practice Board upon passing the NCAC I (National Certified Addiction Counselor I) examination and fulfilling the required criteria.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Psychotherapy

• Definition : Experience providing psychotherapy.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 1
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.2% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

Managed care

• Definition : Knowledge of or experience with managed care.
• Years of experience most commonly required: 2
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.1% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.

ICD-10

• Definition : Knowledge of medical coding according to the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).
• Years of experience most commonly required: 3
• How common is it? This skill is found in 0.1% of Substance Abuse Counselor job postings on Indeed.