The addition of telehealth, or virtual, services to the mental health field creates a need for new and versatile professionals. If you’re interested in or already entering the substance abuse field, there is a growing need to fill the position of telehealth substance abuse counselor.
For tenured counselors, virtual visits have become an added means of reaching the patients who need services the most. For new counselors, there is an abundance of opportunities with companies that have switched almost entirely to a digital approach.
Virtual Substance Abuse Services
Before we dig into a brief how-to on becoming a telehealth substance abuse counselor, let’s take a moment to understand the depth of virtual substance abuse services in the context of DUI and DWI services.
Absolute Advocacy is a leading DWI service provider. We specialize in court-ordered DUI assessments and classes. Our services are led by a team of substance abuse professionals driven to help our clients in multiple ways. While we are dedicated to helping our clients overcome their DWI charges, we also strive to help them learn more about substances and themselves.
Substance abuse counselors are at the heart and soul of our everyday operations. We depend on our team to dig deep from the moment a new client enters our business. We primarily operate in the virtual landscape because it allows more people in need of our services to access them. Therefore, it’s important that we staff not just counselors but professionals who are willing, ready, and able to be telehealth substance abuse counselors.
Starting a Telehealth Substance Abuse Counselor Career
The path to starting a career as a telehealth substance abuse counselor isn’t different from that of any other licensed counselor. The addition of virtual services is just that, an addition. If you can operate a computer and lead a virtual meeting, you can provide telehealth care.
Substance abuse counselors play an essential role in their clients’ roads to recovery. They are responsible for supervising and advancing a client’s rehabilitation and recovery. Counselors often meet clients after a DWI or DUI charge has been issued. The court-ordered DUI assessment and classes that follow are where counselors start to make an impact.
Understanding The Qualifications
There are minimum qualifications to meet before applying to a substance abuse counselor position. The expected minimum will vary depending on the employer’s needs. The following information will give you a snippet of the different levels of credentials available.
According to Public Health Online, North Carolina substance abuse counselors are credentialed by the North Carolina Certified Substance Abuse Professional Board (NCSAPPB).
There are three levels of certification.
1. Substance Abuse Counselor Intern (SACI)
Interns are in training and working toward becoming fully credentialed. The process can take up to five years. If an intern does not complete the requirements for certification within five years of applying, they will have to reapply. We support SACIs through Substance Abuse Internships.
2. Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC)
CSAC status means a counselor has achieved full certification. To qualify, they must work 6,000 hours (roughly three years) under clinical supervision in the substance abuse field. Training hours of 270 clock hours are also required. 190 of those hours need to be substance abuse-specific. Many approved colleges and university programs offer applicable training hours during Master’s degree-level programs in counseling and therapy.
3. Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS)
The LCAS credential is issued to fully licensed counselors who have fulfilled the criteria to be a clinical specialist. It is the highest level of certification available in North Carolina. It requires a higher degree and the completion of 4,000 hours (about two years) of post-graduate substance abuse counseling experience. An LCAS must finish 180 training hours in a substance abuse area and receive three reference letters to be turned in to the Board with their application. Finally, an LCAS must complete the Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC) Exam with a passing score.
It’s important to note that you can work as a SACI or CSAC without state licensure. These career milestones offer the ability to gain real-world experience and skills.
SACIs and CSACs are not required to hold a degree but will need a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a GED.
How To Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in NC
Adding Telehealth to Your Toolbox
The use of telehealth or virtual options to reach clients is a rapidly growing staple for substance abuse counselors. Learning to use digital platforms will expand your toolbox and increase your efficacy.
Different companies use different platforms to connect with their clients. You can prepare by:
- Learning how to use virtual calling tools
- Prepare a professional space for virtual visits
- Learning how to create meaningful connections over a digital platform
You can learn more about how to succeed as a telehealth substance abuse counselor by subscribing to our blog. We will cover topics specifically for our digital professionals.