Counselor or Clinical Social Worker to Serve Unhoused Patients

$79,892 - $97,094/Yr

Unity Care NW - Bellingham, WA

Full-time - Entry Level

Bellingham, WA

251-500 employees

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

Make a difference by serving our unhoused neighbors as a Behavioral Health (BH) Consultant at The Way Station in downtown Bellingham, WA! We believe both physical and emotional health are important for overall health and wellness. The BH Consultant is responsible for improving patient health and increasing well-being through small behavioral changes. This role uses evidence-based interventions during brief consults in a fast-paced, medical clinic environment emphasizing a patient-centered, trauma-informed approach. We are happy to provide on-the-job training and education to support the transition from traditional counseling to working within an episodic model of care such as this. Individuals experiencing homelessness are more likely to become ill, have greater hospitalization rates, and die at a younger age than the general population. The Way Station will provide individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a range of health and social services to assist in improving their health outcomes and aiding their transition to sustainable housing. This new, unique facility will serve people in need of showers, laundry, medical and behavioral health care, case management, and other services provided by partner organizations including respite care. As the sole BH Consultant at The Way Station, you would work alongside a Family Nurse Practitioner and Medical Assistant to provide BH clinical services and care management; perform consultations; and complete clear & comprehensive chart notes. While The Way Station will not serve as a primary care home, it will provide a bridge and assist with connecting clients to one. We are looking for someone to provide these BH services in an empathy-forward, trauma-informed manner that acknowledges the barriers and inequities experienced by our unhoused patients. This is a full-time position with hours split between The Way Station and our main clinic in Bellingham with the possibility of increasing or decreasing hours at each location based on patient needs.

Responsibilities

• Improve patient health and increase well-being through small behavioral changes.
• Use evidence-based interventions during brief consults in a fast-paced medical clinic environment.
• Provide BH clinical services and care management.
• Perform consultations and complete clear & comprehensive chart notes.
• Assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness with health and social services.

Requirements

• Licensed in Washington State as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) or Psychologist (or be eligible to obtain an independent license in Washington).
• 2 years' direct clinical experience, preferably in community health or community mental health.

Nice-to-haves

• Specialized knowledge, training &/or experience in the principles of integrating behavioral health assessment and treatment in the primary care setting.
• Experience with Medicaid, Medicare & private insurance plans & related insurance knowledge.
• Demonstrated success working with and relating to individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds & socio-economic levels.
• Experience working with unhoused populations and knowledge of the issues and challenges they face.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility.
• 6 paid holidays.
• Generous paid time off of 160 hours accrued in Year 1 gradually increasing to 248 hours per year over 10 years.
• Other paid leaves for Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow/Organ Donation.
• Life/AD&D insurance.
• Variety of optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, and Travel as well as Identity Theft Protection.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Alternative transportation incentives.
• Healthy Living reimbursement.
• Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans, Employee Referral Bonus, Will preparation services & a gym discount.
• Continuing Education days/dollars.
• Reimbursement of WA State license renewal fees.