| Opportunity | Primary Duties |
| Addiction Counselor | Addiction counselors may work with any individual who struggles with an addiction, whether it involves substance abuse or another type of addiction. During the recovery process, these counselors monitor and document patient journeys. This documentation is also useful for identifying behavioral patterns and developing strategies to promote healthy ones. |
| Administrative Staff | Works closely with administrators and other employees to organize files, create correspondence, and prepare reports or documents. Their job is to complete a range of clerical tasks, including managing calendars, sorting mail, and preparing invoices. Administrative assistants may also be responsible for helping to plan events and managing their supervisors’ schedules. |
| Care Coordinator | Care coordinators develop and manage health care programs and may act as guides for individuals struggling with substance abuse. Typically, this includes patient case management, patient education, creating schedules, implementing individualized patient goals and monitoring patient recovery. They might also recruit and train staff members to work with specific types of patients, such as those recovering from substance abuse. Usually, these professionals communicate with staff, patients or families every day. |
| Case Manager | Case managers oversee patient assessments and treatments. They might assess individual patient needs, develop comprehensive treatment plans, monitor progress and update treatment plans as needed. Usually, these professionals work closely with patients or staff who work closely with them. |
| Clinical Supervisor | Clinical supervisors manage and review practitioners’ daily work procedures, which can include examining the progress or current status of their patients. These supervisors work to ensure that patient privacy is being maintained and that patients are receiving the best treatments possible for their individual needs. They are also usually in charge of ensuring all staff meets licensure and education requirements. |
| Community Health Worker | Community health workers help develop and maintain relationships between vulnerable populations and health care providers as a liaison. They also explain individual health care options for clients who might deal with or be recovering from addiction. Typically, their goal is to help people gain the resources they need to live healthy lives. |
| Counselor | Counselors meet with patients to learn about and evaluate their health and challenges. This information helps them identify key issues and create personalized recovery treatment plans, including the introduction of coping strategies tailored to their needs. Typically, treatment plans will also include goals to help provide patients with motivation during recovery. |
| Maintenance Worker | A General Maintenance Worker is a professional who keeps buildings running smoothly. They can fix everything from roofs, windows and floors to doors in cafeterias or hospitals; they also maintain specialized, high value equipment like machines used for laundry on their own. |
| Physician | Physicians work to address all patient needs, whether they involve surgery, recovery, illnesses or general health maintenance. These professionals may work to eliminate substance abuse before it reaches the level of addiction and provide interventions to patients who are struggling with substance abuse. Typically, physicians have general knowledge about substance abuse and sometimes might be the individuals who first notice the issue. |
| Professor | Professors of nursing, counseling, social work or doctoral studies can educate incoming substance abuse professionals. This education might include learning about methods or techniques, developing best practices, attending practicums or engaging in immersive experiences. These individuals typically are researchers and have higher education degrees in their specific area of study. |
| Psychiatrist | Psychiatrists usually evaluate and treat patients with mental health challenges, which sometimes contribute to substance abuse behaviors. Patients may engage in physical evaluations to help them determine what types of medications might work best for them. Psychiatrists working with patients who have exhibited current or former substance abuse issues might be more mindful of the medications they choose to prescribe. |
| Psychiatric Nurse | Psychiatric nurses are primarily responsible for determining the psychiatric state of patients and helping with specialized treatment plans. Depending on the situation, they might administer medications or other regimens. They might also work to place patients in the safest environment in relation to their current state, such as rehabilitation facilities. |
| Psychologist | Psychologists examine the psychological, behavioral and emotional behavior of patients to identify patterns. They often focus on developing treatment plans or strategies with patients to help them promote healthy behaviors, which can change with time. Psychologists might also help those who face substance abuse challenges become more self-aware of harmful habits. |
| Recovery Coach | Recovery coaches offer sober support for individuals during their substance abuse recovery, specifically those patients who don’t need intensive care. Typically, these coaches work with patients individually to help them develop and maintain healthier lifestyles. Coaches can hold meetings with patients in person or virtually. The frequency of meetings may depend on an individual’s needs or schedule. |
| Recovery Nurse | Recovery nurses have specializations in pain management and backgrounds in behavioral psychology. Their primary duty is to ensure patients feel supported while undergoing therapy for substance abuse. They might also educate patients on maintaining healthy, substance-free lifestyles. |
| Recovery Specialist | Recovery specialists can provide support to those in recovery. Supports given might include mentorship, role modeling and advocating. They focus the support they provide on preventing substance abuse relapse and promoting long-term recovery. |
| Researcher | Researchers work to find new approaches or strategies for addressing substance abuse challenges. They might reference published scholarly research, conduct their own research studies and present their findings through written or visual representations. Their research may help find alternative methods for assisting those who struggle with substance abuse before, during and after recovery. |
| Social Worker | Social workers may help individuals in need and work to find solutions to their daily challenges. Their primary duty is to advocate for what is best for the clients they represent, especially in situations that might threaten client well-being. For those who struggle with substance abuse, this can include ensuring positive influences surround individuals in recovery. |
