DRUG COUNSELOR SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Updated: Mai 29, 2025 - The Drug Counselor has experience in counseling, crisis intervention, and resource referrals within Substance Use Disorder Treatment and behavioral health programs, including work with co-occurring disorders. This position is certified as an Alcohol or Other Drug (AOD) counselor, with strong communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills, alongside proficiency in electronic health records systems. The counselor is also fluent in multiple languages, with the flexibility to work varying hours, including evenings.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Drug Counselor Resume
- Counseling Techniques
- Substance Abuse Assessment
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Addiction Treatment Plans
- Behavioral Therapy
- Knowledge of Mental Health Disorders
- Motivational Interviewing
- Group Therapy Facilitation
- Record Keeping and Documentation
- Empathy
- Communication
- Active Listening
- Patience
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem-Solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Stress Management
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
Summary of Drug Counselor Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BS in Nursing with 2 years of Experience
- Understanding of addiction, co-occurring models, and treatment modalities
- Understanding of patient development and family systems
- Proficiency in MS Office systems
- Ability to utilize an electronic healthcare record
- The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Must communicate effectively with others both orally and in writing
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced changing environment
- Ability to model positive behavior and demeanor
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Skills and ability to engage and develop a rapport with patients and families of various backgrounds
2. BS in Addiction Studies with 3 years of Experience
- Experience working in Drug and Alcohol counseling.
- Must be very familiar with HIPAA/client confidentiality and personal rights.
- Possess a valid License and/or certification in drug and alcohol counseling through an approved Department of Health Care licensing board.
- Must possess a current CPR and First Aid certification.
- Expert communication skills and counseling abilities
- Ability to coordinate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, working at distinct levels
- Commitment to the philosophy of recovery and continuity of the program and of consideration and respect of clients.
- Possess maturity, patience, understanding, and empathy with recovering individuals and work with a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong facilitation, negotiation, investigation, and mediation skills
3. BS in Mental Health Counseling with 4 years of Experience
- Experience in a Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program performing counseling, crisis intervention, and community resource referrals.
- Experience in behavioral health programs with individuals who have co-occurring disorders.
- Certification as an Alcohol or Other Drug (AOD) counselor by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Ability to be flexible, problem solver, self-directed with customer service-oriented, and collaborative
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey information and ideas both orally and in writing
- A customer service background, and solid presentation skills.
- Ability to establish and consistently enforce appropriate boundaries with patients
- High degree of computer literacy including experience using an electronic health records (EHR) system
- Fluent in American Sign Language, Arabic, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, and/or Vietnamese
- Must be willing to work flexible hours, including evenings