Entry Level Addiction Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (AMHR) is seeking an Addiction Technician or Specialist to provide direct clinical care to clients in our Withdrawal Management Center. This role involves a range of essential duties, including conducting intakes and discharges, maintaining clinical documentation, providing counseling and case management, monitoring vital signs and withdrawal symptoms, and coordinating resources and transport for clients. You will also engage in risk assessments and collaborate with community partners such as hospitals and law enforcement. The ideal candidate will possess strong clinical skills in substance use counseling and client care, demonstrate excellent teamwork and independence, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Our Detox Center provides 24/7 care to individuals experiencing acute intoxication or withdrawal, monitoring clients' treatment progress in a 45-bed facility offering ASAM 3.2 (Social Model Detox) care.

Salary for this role
Starting wage is based on experience, credentialing, and internal equity. Paid bi-weekly.

• High School Degree with CAT or Bachelor's Degree: $22.04 – $33.07 per hour
• Bachelor's Degree with CAS: $24.25 – $36.36 per hour

Additional Compensation Opportunity: Eligible staff who step in as Acting Shift Coordinator may earn an additional $3 per hour (depending on role and certification) on top of their regular pay.

Available Shifts. This position is fully on-site, working 4 - 10.5-hour shifts. 

• Day, Sunday - Wednesday 6:00 am - 4:30 pm

Shift Differential Pay. The Day weekend shift differential is paid from 7 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only; the Swing shift differential is paid from 3 pm to 11 pm; and the Overnight shift differential is paid from 11 pm - 7 am 

• Day Weekend (Sat, Sun): $1.50/hour 
• Swing Weekday (Mon-Thurs): $1.50/hour 
• Swing Weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun): $2.75/hour 
• Overnight Weekday (Monday - Thursday): $2.75/hour 
• Overnight Weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday): $4.00/hour 

Bilingual Language Differential Pay. Employees who successfully pass a language assessment are eligible to receive bilingual differential pay. This differential is provided as a fixed amount of $3,000 per calendar year, paid on a biweekly basis across 26 pay periods, and prorated based on hire date and fulltime equivalency (FTE). Eligibility and payment are subject to the language requirements of the position and the employee’s demonstrated proficiency in the language. 

Essential Functions:

• Interact with a client population that is actively intoxicated and/or experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.
• Provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients.
• Identify emergency signals and situations and reacts appropriately.
• Perform accurate, legal, timely and ethical documentation at all times, including admissions and discharges, inventories and screening of clients personal belongings, and charting of all significant interactions with each client.
• Monitor and document client vital signs, physical condition and behavior as needed. Enters data using Electronic Health.
• Record and Microsoft office product software.
• Monitor/observe Urinalysis (UA) or Breath Alcohol (BA) tests as needed and documents appropriately.
• Monitor the facility to insure it is maintained in a neat and orderly manner and that all outside doors remain secured.
• Dispose of biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.
• Refer client to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling when needed.
• May assist in transporting admitted clients to hospitals, aftercare, or other approved services as directed by the Shift Supervisor.
• Staff member will complete needed care coordination tasks for their assigned role.

Requirements:

• Current CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Preferred: Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP).
• Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Preferred: Valid Colorado Driver's License with a driving record that meets organization's requirements.
• Technician Requirements:
  • High School diploma with Certified Addiction Technician (CAT) actively registered with Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA) or Bachelors’ degree with plan to obtain CAT credential within 18 months from hire date. 
  • Entry level position - zero to six months experience.
• Specialist Requirements:
  • CAS (Certified Addiction Specialist) actively registered with Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA) is required.
  • Six months' work experience in behavioral health or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Vaccination and TB Test.

At AMHR the health and safety of our clients and staff are our top priorities. As part of this commitment, all employees are required to receive an annual influenza (flu) shot and present a negative TB test result before their first day of work. Proof of both the flu shot and negative TB test must be provided on your first day of employment. Medical and religious exemptions can be requested if necessary.

Benefits:

• Health insurance: Kaiser
• Dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts (dependent care & health care)
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability coverage*
• 403(b) retirement plan which provides 100% vesting immediately, and matching contributions up to 4% after one year of employment
• Accrued Vacation pay up to 12 days and accrued Sick Pay up to 12 days per year, and 2 floating holidays (hours calculated pro-rata basis based on full-time equivalency)
• The company observes 11 designated holidays each year. Exception: Employees working in 24/7 programs or facilities are scheduled to work their regular shifts if the holiday falls on their scheduled workday. In these cases, employees will receive their regular pay for hours worked plus holiday pay.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Short term disability*

*Eligible for benefit if working 30 hours per week or more

Our Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Mission: Deeply rooted in our diverse community, we deliver state-of-the-art care and meaningful outcomes that impact emotional well-being and addiction recovery.

Vision: To foster hope and healing through compassionate, quality care.

Core Values: Passionate caring; Rising to the challenge; Honoring and respecting all persons; Believing in resilience; Putting clients and community first; Commitment to collaboration and teamwork

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery and subsidiaries (AMHR) are dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form or context including harassment or exclusion.

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