Behavioral Health Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Behavioral Health Counselor – Correctional Setting

6–7 Month CONTRACT Position

We are seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Behavioral Health Counselor to join our multidisciplinary healthcare team in a county jail/correctional setting. This is a 6–7 month CONTRACT POSITION and an excellent opportunity for a behavioral health professional interested in gaining valuable experience working with a diverse and challenging population.The Behavioral Health Counselor will provide mental health services to individuals experiencing a wide range of behavioral health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, serious mental illness, adjustment to incarceration, crisis situations, and suicidal ideation.Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral health screenings, assessments, and follow-up appointments.
• Provide brief supportive counseling and therapeutic interventions.
• Assess patients experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm concerns, emotional distress, or other behavioral health crises.
• Participate in suicide prevention, monitoring, and follow-up procedures.
• Develop and update individualized treatment plans as appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation when needed.
• Identify patients who may benefit from psychiatric evaluation and coordinate referrals with the psychiatric provider.
• Collaborate with medical, nursing, behavioral health, classification, and correctional staff to promote continuity of care and patient safety.
• Assist with discharge planning and referrals to community behavioral health and substance use resources.
• Maintain timely, accurate, thorough, and professional clinical documentation in the electronic health record.
• Maintain appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries within a correctional environment.
• Follow facility policies, applicable professional standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• Participate in behavioral health team meetings, case consultations, and other assigned clinical duties.

Minimum QualificationsEducation Required: Bachelor’s degree or higher in:

• Social Work
• Psychology
• Counseling
• Human Services/Behavioral Health
• Or a closely related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.
• Previous experience in mental health, crisis intervention, substance use treatment, case management, or social services.
• Experience working in a jail, prison, detention center, residential treatment program, inpatient setting, or other structured environment is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of suicide prevention, mental health disorders, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention.
• Strong assessment, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and clinically objective in challenging situations.

Professional licensure is welcomed but is not required unless otherwise specified for the position.Position DetailsPosition: Behavioral Health Counselor
Setting: County Jail / Correctional Healthcare
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Length: Approximately 6–7 months
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field
Experience: Behavioral health experience preferred; correctional experience is a plus.

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