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How to hire a drug coordinator

Drug coordinator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring drug coordinators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a drug coordinator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new drug coordinator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a drug coordinator, step by step

To hire a drug coordinator, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a drug coordinator:

Here's a step-by-step drug coordinator hiring guide:

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

    Before you start hiring a drug coordinator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a drug coordinator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a drug coordinator that fits the bill.

    Here's a comparison of drug coordinator salaries for various roles:

    Type of Drug CoordinatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Drug CoordinatorInstructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.$15-27
    Warehouse EmployeeA warehouse employee is responsible for assisting high-level operations of the warehouse or distribution centers, organizing merchandise inventory, packing and labeling products, operating warehouse tools and equipment, and processing shipment orders efficiently and accurately. Warehouse employees maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities to avoid potential hazards and delay during operations... Show more$12-19
    Supply TechnicianIn a warehouse setting, a supply technician is responsible for handling all the incoming and outgoing products, ensuring accuracy in inventory and logistics. Most of the time, they are in charge of maintaining and keeping records, loading and unloading shipments and deliveries, verifying invoices, and processing documents... Show more$12-24
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Substance Abuse
    • Mental Health
    • Criminal Justice
    • Community Resources
    • Law Enforcement
    • Drug Abuse
    • FDA
    • Crisis Intervention
    • Community Organizations
    • Drug Free
    • Drug Court
    • Program Evaluation
    • Treatment Court
    • Breath Alcohol
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Facilitate development of veterans individual rehabilitation plans, which provide purpose, organization and empowerment to achieve life goals.
    • Review if drugs meet NCCN or FDA guidelines.
    • Document store process improvements, including process of handling drug recalls and new FDA OTC releases.
    • Process urinalysis report through appropriate channels and to higher headquarters.
    • Liaise with army leadership to organize urinalysis testing and ensure results are accurate.
    • Grant access to electronic medical record databases to process utilization reviews in a timely and accurate manner while remaining HIPAA compliant.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your drug coordinator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A drug coordinator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, drug coordinators' average salary in mississippi is 42% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level drug coordinators earn 43% less than senior-level drug coordinators.
    • Certifications. A drug coordinator 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 a drug coordinator's salary.

    Average drug coordinator salary

    $44,556yearly

    $21.42 hourly rate

    Entry-level drug coordinator salary
    $33,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 18, 2026
  4. Writing a drug coordinator job description

    A drug coordinator 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a drug coordinator job description:

    Drug coordinator job description example

    SPECIAL INFORMATION:
    • A criminal background check is required for the successful applicant.
    • An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period.

    Nature of Work

    The Drug Court Coordinator is responsible for the administration of the program, including but not limited to, preparation of program materials, program development, and public speaking engagements (community awareness). The coordinator organizes drug court team meetings; maintains drug court files; organizes and prepares participant drug court plans; works with and is a member of the drug court team and makes program changes. Qualifications include experience working with multi-agency systems and working with an adult/youth substance-abusing population. Must be able to work well in a team-oriented environment and be self-motivated.

    Essential Functions (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)
    • Enter accurate data in the statewide and local management information systems.
    • Keep track of sanctions required by the drug court judge and coordinate the drug court incentive program.
    • Coordinate interagency training specifically for drug court team members.
    • Conduct participant intake/screening utilizing a validated screening instrument.
    • Maintain and coordinate alcohol monitoring programs and coordinate with the state drug court coordinator.
    • Coordinate graduation ceremonies.
    • Maintain policies and procedures relating to client confidentiality and obtain releases of information from drug court team members and other agency personnel.
    • Plan, implement, and provide oversight for drug court recovery management program to include follow-up after graduation/discharge from drug court.
    • Coordinate the agenda for the steering committee meetings and act as chief resource for the committee.
    • Maintain positive public relations and provide information for community awareness.
    • Work in conjunction with judge and drug court team to establish and implement policies and procedures and other drug court related forms and documents.
    • Supervise participants and establish daily urinalysis program including urinalysis schedule. Report UA results to the drug court team members.
    • Coordinate, arrange, and facilitate meetings with treatment providers, social workers, and participants to create drug court plans and associated wrap around services.
    • Participate as a member of the drug court team, keep records of drug court team meetings, and take notes regarding court appearance outcomes.
    • Compile and submit client information from and to drug court team members.
    • Review and submit reimbursement forms to Court Administration. Manage the Drug Court budget and associated resources.

    Working Conditions

    The work is performed primarily in an office environment and involves exposure to normal everyday risks which require normal safety precautions typical of offices. Work may subject the employee to verbal abuse and physical harm from irate, highly emotional parents, children, friends, or relatives of participants.

    Physical Demands

    This position requires activities such as sitting for long periods, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving, and carrying light to medium objects, and operating office equipment.

    Qualifications

    Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

    Ability to maintain confidentiality.

    Knowledge of the science regarding drug and alcohol abuse and dependence.

    Basic knowledge of evidence-based drug dependence treatment principles to include screening instruments, assessment instruments, treatment models, and recovery management techniques.

    Basic knowledge of evidence-based drug court principles and practices.

    Considerable knowledge of community resources for drug court participants and their families.

    Considerable skills regarding effective written and verbal communication techniques.

    Ability to gather social histories and related information, conduct comprehensive interviews, assess information, and prepare findings and recommendations.

    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with drug court participants, their families, and the professionals who provide services to them.Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with district court judges and staff, private and state human service agencies, professional groups, and the public.

    Ability to be perceptive, versatile, and flexible, yet firm and matter of fact when necessary.

    Ability to deal with and upset, angry, and emotionally charged people, often in crisis, needing conflict resolution.

    Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word-processing applications and other office equipment.

    Qualifications

    Minimum qualifications are bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work or a human services field and two years' experience with any of the following: adult substance dependent individuals, conflict resolution, domestic relations, or employment in a related human services field. Experience may substitute for degree. Additionally, the individual should have experience in report preparation and experience working with multi-agency systems.

    Licensure and Certification Requirements

    Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Montana driver's license; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.
  5. Post your job

    To find drug coordinators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any drug coordinators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level drug coordinators with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your drug coordinator job on Zippia to find and recruit drug coordinator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit drug coordinators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 drug coordinator

    Once you've decided on a perfect drug coordinator 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.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new drug coordinator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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How much does it cost to hire a drug coordinator?

Hiring a drug coordinator comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting drug coordinators involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of drug coordinator recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $44,556 per year for a drug coordinator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for drug coordinators in the US typically range between $15 and $27 an hour.

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