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Substance Use Clinician (Outpatient)

Centerstone · Marion, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 24, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role covers individual, group, family and couples work, and adolescents as well as adults. Tell me about a time you had to shift your style a lot for a different kind of client.

What they are checking: Whether they can adapt across ages and formats, since the role spans a wide range of clients in one service area.

How do you keep your clinical records timely and accurate when your caseload is full and sessions run back to back?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real system for notes, since late or thin records create compliance and billing problems.

You may supervise student interns. How would you support an intern who is nervous about running their first substance use group?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach and give feedback in a steady way, which the posting lists as part of the job.

How do you build and keep good relationships with community referral sources like courts, hospitals and schools?

What they are checking: Whether they see referral partners as ongoing relationships, since steady referrals keep clients flowing into care.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate on the clinical team about a client's care plan. How did it get resolved?

What they are checking: Whether they can raise a different view respectfully and land on what serves the client, not on who is right.

What would you do

A client tells you he relapsed over the weekend and seems ashamed. How do you respond in that session?

What they are checking: Whether they treat relapse as information rather than failure, which keeps clients in treatment instead of dropping out.

How do you handle a group session when one member keeps minimizing their use and pulling others into it?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage group dynamics firmly without shaming, so the rest of the group still gets value.

A probation officer calls asking how your client is doing. The client signed a release, but only for attendance. What do you share?

What they are checking: Whether they understand 42 CFR Part 2 style confidentiality and share only what the client approved with referral sources.

What would you do if a client came to a session clearly intoxicated?

What they are checking: Whether they put safety first, adjust the session appropriately and avoid doing therapy with someone who cannot take part.

About the work

Walk me through how you run a first evaluation with an adult coming in for substance use. What are you trying to learn in that first hour?

What they are checking: Whether they can gather use history, risk, co-occurring mental health issues and readiness for change in a structured way.

Which evidence-based approaches do you lean on for substance use, and how do you choose between them for a given client?

What they are checking: Whether they know best practice interventions like motivational interviewing or CBT and match them to the person, not habit.

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The full job description

As published by Centerstone.

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team! JOB DESCRIPTION: SUMMARY OF POSITION Provides clinical services consistent with established guidelines for best practice interventions, including evaluation, individual, group, family, or couple’s psychotherapy for adults, adolescents and children seen in one’s service area. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES • Eligible to supervise student interns as needed. • Maintain necessary communications and reporting with referral sources and other involved parties as approved by client. • Maintain effective working relationships with the clinical team. Maintain timely/accurate clinical records in accordance with organization policies. • Maintain effective relationships with Community referral sources. • Participate in the development and implementation of quality clinical practices. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES • Effectively communicate via written, verbal, in person and virtual methods. • Provide excellent customer service to individuals seeking our services. QUALIFICATIONS Education Level Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field is required. Years of Experience Three to five years’ experience in behavioral health environment is preferred. Experience in evidence-based and best practices interventions is preferred. Certification/Licensure Must be licensed eligible and actively working toward acquisition of licensure. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Standing – 10% Sitting – 90% Squatting – Occasional Kneeling – Occasional Bending – Occasional Driving – Occasional Lifting – Occasional DISCLAIMER The duties and responsibilities described in this document are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Time Type: Full time Pay Range: $18.20--$25.50 Delivering care that changes people's lives starts with our employees. Below are just some of the great benefits Centerstone employees enjoy: • Medical, dental, and vision health coverage • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts • 403b retirement plan with company match • Paid time off and ten paid holidays • AD&D Insurance, Life Insurance, and Long Term Disability (company paid) • Employee Resource Groups • Continuing education opportunities • Employee Assistance Program Centerstone is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at Centerstone is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We treat all clients and colleagues with dignity and respect. At Centerstone, we use our values as a guide for what we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction at Centerstone, and particularly rooted in our Culture. Our approach to culture is to create an environment that encourages, supports and celebrates the voices and experiences of our employees. We are committed to a culture of empowerment, respect, integrity and expertise that powers our innovation and connects us to each other, our clients and the communities we serve. Centerstone is also committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role-models who champion best practices for quality, clinical risk, and patient safety.

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