How to hire an addictions counselor assistant

How to hire an addictions counselor assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step addictions counselor assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an addictions counselor assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new addictions counselor assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an addictions counselor assistant do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The addictions counselor assistant hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect addictions counselor assistant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of addictions counselor assistants.

   Type of Addictions Counselor Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Addictions Counselor Assistant	Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.	$16-30
   Community Health Counselor	A community health counselor typically provides health and welfare support to the disadvantaged members of a community. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach out to community members, coordinating with schools and other institutions, and building positive relationships with the communities that they serve... Show more	$13-30
   Substance Abuse Counselor	Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery... Show more	$12-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Social Work
   • Substance Abuse
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Chemical Dependency
   • PowerPoint
   • Community Resources
   • Client Intake
   • Mental Health Issues
   • Financial Aid
   • Roadside Assistance
   • Client Service
   • Support Services
   • Group Therapy Sessions

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Certify in CPR and CPI.
   • Med certiffy, CPR certify.
   • Work on PowerPoint presentations, and coordinate the presentations with board activity.
   • Maintain strict confidentially of client information in accordance with HIPPA and PII policy.
   • Maintain data entry of office and patient records, while maintaining HIPPA compliance and patient confidentiality.
   • Conduct in-person assessments to employees formally refer to the employee assistance program (EAP) and formulate treatment goals and plans.

   More addictions counselor assistant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your addictions counselor assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An addictions counselor assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, addictions counselor assistants' average salary in south dakota is 43% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level addictions counselor assistants earn 47% less than senior-level addictions counselor assistants.
   • Certifications. An addictions counselor assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an addictions counselor assistant's salary.

   Average addictions counselor assistant salary

   $46,799yearly

   $22.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level addictions counselor assistant salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average addictions counselor assistant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$51,821	$25
   2	Illinois	$50,512	$24
   3	California	$50,151	$24
   4	New York	$49,256	$24
   5	Oregon	$48,591	$23
   6	Delaware	$48,461	$23
   7	Massachusetts	$47,114	$23
   8	Louisiana	$46,022	$22
   9	Texas	$45,843	$22
   10	Ohio	$44,446	$21
   11	Indiana	$43,637	$21
   12	New Jersey	$43,357	$21
   13	Minnesota	$42,385	$20
   14	Missouri	$41,964	$20
   15	Georgia	$40,527	$19
   16	Florida	$40,331	$19
   17	Pennsylvania	$39,679	$19
   18	Utah	$39,521	$19
   19	Iowa	$37,536	$18

   Average addictions counselor assistant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Chino Valley Unified School District	$61,761	$29.69
   2	Fifth Third Bank	$59,682	$28.69	1
   3	Mercy Children's Hospital	$58,910	$28.32
   4	Children's Hospital New Orleans	$57,204	$27.50
   5	Baptist Health Care	$56,016	$26.93
   6	Columbia University in the City of New York	$55,634	$26.75	20
   7	Ashtabula County Medical Center	$55,140	$26.51	2
   8	Rady Children's Hospital And Health Center	$53,920	$25.92	10
   9	Children's Hospital Colorado	$53,841	$25.89	5
   10	Louisiana State Police	$52,063	$25.03
   11	University of California-Berkeley	$51,553	$24.79	1
   12	Acadia Healthcare	$48,714	$23.42	334
   13	Lakeland Regional Health	$48,651	$23.39
   14	South Dakota State University	$48,439	$23.29
   15	New York State Restaurant Association	$48,433	$23.29
   16	Northwestern Medicine	$48,108	$23.13	8
   17	Emory University	$47,893	$23.03	1
   18	CFG Health Systems	$47,706	$22.94	13
   19	Duke University Health System	$47,471	$22.82	22
   20	Bellevue Jr/Sr High School	$46,841	$22.52

4. Writing an addictions counselor assistant job description

   An addictions counselor assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an addictions counselor assistant job description:

   Addictions counselor assistant job description example

   We are looking for team members who are passionate about challenging and significant work for the good of every patient. We are searching for individuals who are compassionate, serve with a purpose, are dedicated to supporting their team, and who seek excellence every day.
   
   We are looking for a full-time EAP Counselor to join our team in Bloomington! An EAP Certification is not required. This role will be primarily day shift with some evenings. There are no weekends required.
   Sound like a perfect match? Apply now - we can't wait to hear from you!
   
   The EAP Counselor conducts employee counseling and performs other implementation activities in the employee assistance program. Provides assessment, short-term problem resolution, referral and case management services. Addresses a wide range of issues including problems in daily living, psychiatric crisis and violent situations. Provides expertise and specialized knowledge in substance abuse, domestic abuse, grief counseling, workplace problems and management consultation.
   
   Masters Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related area is required. Current certification as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional and license to practice counseling in the State of Indiana. Requires current certification as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional.
   
   * Requires license to practice counseling in the state of Indiana.
   * Requires a minimum of 2 years relevant experience.
   * Requires knowledge and understanding of the employee assistance field and core EAP services.
   * Requires knowledge of the impact of the disease process and of human behavior to provide psychosocial assessments, short-term therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention.
   * Requires knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
   * Maintains principles, practices and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
   * Requires basic computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
   
   Safeguarding our patients and each other is an important part of how we deliver the best care possible to the communities we serve. As a condition of employment, IU Health requires all new hires to receive various vaccinations, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, barring an approved exemption. New hires will also be provided the option to submit proof of previous vaccination.
   
   We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion at IU Health. IU Health does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, national origin, gender identity and/or expression, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find addictions counselor assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your addictions counselor assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit addictions counselor assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with addictions counselor assistant candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new addictions counselor assistant

   Once you've decided on a perfect addictions counselor assistant candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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