Counselor

$79,892 - $97,094/Yr

Unity Care NW - Bellingham, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Bellingham, WA

251-500 employees

Ambulatory Health Care Services

About the position

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing almost 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve. We believe mental & emotional health is an important part of overall health and wellness. Our behavioral health providers work closely with patients and their Primary Care Providers to help them meet their health care goals. As a Specialty Behavioral Health Counselor, you would provide ongoing/episodic mental health treatment for a caseload of patients engaged in primary care at Unity Care NW.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and treats a caseload of patients, collaborating around scheduling, session length, and session frequency based on clinical assessment and need.
• Utilizes treatment goals and timely discharges to manage cases and maintains flow of referrals to serve the needs of the primary care patient population.
• Maintains awareness and tracks patient engagement, providing appropriate outreach and encouraging full participation in clinical treatment.
• Meets productivity requirement.
• Evaluates, assesses, and diagnoses patients with a qualifying mental health diagnosis following DSM-5 criteria and WACs.
• Creates measurable treatment plans with goals towards completing treatment.
• Provides risk assessments, safety/crisis planning, and coordination of care for patients when clinically indicated.
• Utilizes evidence-based practices and provides therapeutic interventions in an outpatient treatment setting.
• Completes documentation adhering to UCNW's policy, writing clear and concise chart notes using the DAP format.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with all UCNW treatment teams and community resources/agencies as appropriate in treatment.

Requirements

• Independent license as a Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist or Psychologist in Washington State (or be eligible to obtain an independent license in Washington).
• Mental Health Professional (MHP) acknowledgment or qualifications to be acknowledged as an MHP by the WA State Department of Health.
• 2 years' direct clinical experience, preferably in community health or community mental health.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of state Medicaid mental health system functions, requirements, and changes.
• Knowledge of the assessment and treatment of the full range of behavioral health disorders and familiarity with use of psychotropic medications.
• Knowledge of the local community and private behavioral health and human services resources.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues including prevention and psychosocial aspects.
• Knowledge of how chronic medical issues and behavioral health interplay.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint as well as Doxy and Zoom.
• Ability to learn and use our Electronic Health Record system, payroll system, instant messaging software & online training systems.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (160 hours Year 1, 208 hours Year 2 & increasing again at Year 5 & Year 10)
• Other paid leaves including: Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Optional insurances including: Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursements
• Medical Hardship payroll loans, Employee Referral Bonuses, Will preparation services & gym discounts
• Continuing Education
• Reimbursement of license renewal fees