SUDP Counselor 3

 Squaxin Island Tribe

Job Description

Job Title: SUDP Counselor 3

Department: Northwest Indian Treatment Center Inpatient Facility

Reports to: Treatment Center Director, Manager of Clinical Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

TS Range: 9/10

SUMMARY: The Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) Counselor III provides culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed substance use disorder treatment services within a Tribal inpatient residential facility. This position recognizes that substance use disorders in Tribal communities are often rooted in the ongoing impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma, colonization, forced assimilation, boarding school experiences, loss of land and language, institutional racism, violence, and systemic inequities, and requires a comprehensive understanding of how these factors continue to contribute to substance use and broader behavioral health challenges within Native communities. The SUDP Counselor supports Native individuals and families in their healing journeys by integrating evidence-based practices with cultural identity, traditional teachings, community strengths, and resilience-based approaches. Healing is viewed not only as individual recovery, but as restoration of connection to self, family, culture, and community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Clinical Services

• Provide comprehensive SUD assessments, ASAM placement determinations, group, and individualized treatment planning.
• Deliver individual and group counseling utilizing DBT-informed approaches with culturally responsive treatment plans that address substance use disorders, PTSD, historical trauma, grief and loss, identity development, and relapse prevention
• Facilitate skills-based groups incorporating culturally relevant adaptations.
• Develop and update person-centered treatment plans reflecting client goals and cultural identity.
• Coordinate discharge planning and continue care services.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with WAC, Tribal, Medicaid, and accreditation standards.
• Monitor and support the therapeutic milieu to ensure emotional safety, stability, and accountability.
• Conduct pre-admission screenings, intakes, biopsychosocial assessments, and ASAM placement determinations.
• Provide crisis intervention services, develop safety plans as indicated, and respond appropriately to behavioral health emergencies.

DBT-Informed Practice

• Implement structured DBT skills groups in residential setting.
• Support clients in applying DBT skills during real time emotional crises.
• Collaborate with clinical team to ensure consistent use of DBT language and strategies.
• Participate in DBT consultation team meetings.
• Facilitate individual and group counseling using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Culturally Grounded Care

• Integrate traditional healing practices in collaboration with Cultural Advisors, Elders, and Traditional Practitioners.
• Support access to ceremony, cultural teachings, and land-based healing activities.
• Recognize historical trauma and its impact on substance use and behavioral health.
• Practice cultural humility and uphold Tribal values in all clinical interactions.

Case Management & Collaboration

• Coordinate care with mental health providers, probation officers, attorneys, referral sources, ICW, behavioral health, primary care, and community partners.
• Transport patients and obtain program supplies as needed.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, training, and consultation groups.
• Advocate for clients within Tribal and community systems.
• Collect and maintain outcome data to support quality assurance and reimbursement requirements.
• Participate in quality improvement activities and assist in preparation for external reviews including DOH, IHS, and CARF.

Compliance & Professional Standards

• Maintain active Washington State SUDP credential.
• Adhere to confidentiality laws (HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2).
• Follow Tribal policies, accreditation standards, and clinical best practices.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and cultural competency training.
• Assist with training new personnel as assigned.
• Cooperate with staffing patterns including evening, weekend, and on-call responsibilities as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position has no supervisory responsibilities but may be asked to participate in the training of new personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Must be certified as a Substance Use Disorder Professional, by the State of Washington. Must not be under current investigation by the Department of Health or found in noncompliance with DOH ethical standards unless successfully participating in a correction program with DOH with the agreement of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Experience working in an area of human services with Native American patients preferred.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Master’s Degree and one year OR Bachelor’s Degree in health, human service area or related field, and three years of relevant experience OR an Associate’s Degree in health, human service area or related field and five years of relevant experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to a prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Able to manage demanding groups and individuals skillfully and appropriately demonstrating DBT skills. Must be able to speak before groups in an engaging manner that maintains attention and work with a team to implement training.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:  Applicant must have a current, valid Washington State Driver’s License.  The successful applicant must pass a criminal history background check. Must be insured by the Tribe’s insurance carrier. Applicant must complete TB test and CPR training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The successful applicant will regularly be required to talk and hear, frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms and occasionally be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell. The employee may frequently be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level for this position is generally moderate.

OTHER: The job requires the ability to work independently with limited supervision as well as part of a team.  Regular and consistent attendance is a condition of employment.  The employee must deal courteously with public, patients, and staff. Applicants who have been patients of the NWITC programs must have completed behavioral health services for a minimum of two years and should have two years of sustained recovery.  

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the Tribe’s Drug Free Workplace Policy.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position in accordance with the Tribe’s Personnel Policies.

TO APPLY: Submit application packets including a resume and cover letter to apply@squaxin.us  Contact Human Resources for more information: 360-432-3865. 

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