Alcohol Substance Use Counselor (LSAA/LADAC)

Description

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing, and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPOC communities
• LGBTQIA communities
• Justice-impacted communities
  
  

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and agile enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and infectious disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s collaborative partnership model allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, and state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Position Overview

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) seeks a committed and compassionate Substance Abuse Professional to provide direct care services to justice-involved individuals enrolled in our Addiction Treatment Program (ATP) at Bernalillo County Jail. The ideal candidate will hold an LSAA or LADAC license in New Mexico and be passionate about supporting recovery and reentry efforts within correctional settings. This is a non-supervisory role focused on delivering individual and group substance use counseling, relapse prevention, and reentry-focused behavioral health support.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based substance use counseling services (individual and group) to incarcerated clients as part of the ATP.
• Facilitate structured psychoeducational and relapse prevention groups focused on addiction recovery, criminal thinking, and emotional regulation.
• Complete clinical documentation, including treatment plans, session notes, and progress reports in compliance with state Medicaid and correctional standards.
• Assist in reentry planning by identifying community resources and supports for post-release recovery.
• Collaborate with behavioral health staff, correctional officers, and case managers to support client care coordination.
• Monitor client participation and adjust approaches to maximize engagement and treatment adherence.
  
  

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS - Substance Abuse Counselor (LSAA/LADAC)

• Must hold an active, unrestricted New Mexico license as one of the following
• ? Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA)
• ? Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC)
• Completion of Board-approved education and training hours in substance use disorder treatment, including requiredpracticum or internship experience as outlined by the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing substance use disorder counseling services, preferably in correctionalsettings, reentry programs, or with justice-involved individuals.
• Working knowledge of trauma-informed care, addiction recovery principles, and evidence-based substance use treatment approaches.
• Familiarity with clinical documentation standards and Medicaid billing procedures for substance abuse services.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team inside a correctional facility and maintain appropriate professional boundaries and ethical conduct.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience working within jail, prison, or reentry programs.
• Familiarity with Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addiction treatment settings.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred.
  
  

Additional Notes

• Training and supervision are provided under licensure requirements.
• This is an on-site position with all services delivered within the Bernalillo County Jail facilities.
• Position aligns with WEA's mission to promote equity-based, trauma-informed care to underserved communities.
  
  

Wellness Equity Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.