Description
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent substance use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric conditions using medication-assisted treatment, psychotherapy, and coordinated, recovery-oriented care.
- • Analyze patient histories, mental status, and test results (e.g., toxicology) to diagnose substance use disorders and comorbidities.
- • Prescribe and manage medication-assisted treatments (e.g., buprenorphine, naltrexone) and adjunctive psychotropics to treat withdrawal and cravings.
- • Provide psychotherapies such as motivational interviewing, CBT, and contingency management for relapse prevention.
- • Coordinate care with counselors, primary care, pain specialists, peer supports, and recovery programs across detox, residential, and outpatient settings.
- • Maintain thorough records, including substance use patterns, PDMP checks, and medical, psychiatric, social, and legal histories.
- • Deliver harm-reduction counseling, overdose prevention education, and naloxone training to patients and families.
- • Design individualized, trauma-informed treatment and recovery plans with psychosocial supports and community resources.
- • Order and interpret labs and toxicology screens to monitor use, withdrawal risk, medication safety, and comorbid disease.
- • Engage families or significant others in treatment planning consistent with consent and privacy regulations.
- • Review treatment outcomes and participate in peer review and quality improvement for addiction services.
- • Prepare required documentation, referrals, and reports for insurers, courts, employers, or public health agencies.
- • Teach and mentor clinicians, pursue continuing education, and contribute to research or policy on substance use treatment.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
