Primary Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Actalent is hiring for a Primary Counselor!!!!

Job Description

The Primary Counselor provides direct client care within a structured behavioral health program, coordinating individual and group counseling services while ensuring compliance with OASAS guidelines and other regulatory requirements. This role focuses on building strong therapeutic relationships, supporting clients with complex needs, and maintaining accurate documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) system. The position offers valuable exposure to multidisciplinary care, diverse patient populations, and strong clinical experience that supports licensure and long-term career growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned client caseload in accordance with OASAS guidelines and program policies.
• Coordinate and facilitate individual and group counseling sessions to support client treatment goals.
• Build and maintain rapport with clients, fostering a supportive and therapeutic environment.
• Document all client interactions, services, and progress accurately and timely in the EMR system.
• Collect urine samples in accordance with program protocols and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate care with internal and external stakeholders, including medical, mental health, housing, and other community service providers.
• Participate actively in clinical supervision, case conferences, and staff meetings to support high-quality care and professional development.
• Maintain referral relationships and community partnerships to ensure clients have access to appropriate wraparound services.
• Ensure patients receive comprehensive wraparound services, including medical, mental health, housing, and other supportive resources.
• Complete required program reporting (such as HRA STARS, ACS, CJS, and other applicable reporting systems) accurately and on time.
• Ensure compliance with licensing, credentialing, and healthcare regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures.
• Provide professional, empathetic customer service to clients and their support networks.
• Identify and escalate significant client concerns or risk issues to leadership in a timely manner.
• Use medical terminology appropriately and maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all client-related communications.
• Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team to support coordinated, patient-centered care.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2+ years of experience working in OASAS-licensed programs.
• Experience working with SPMI (Serious and Persistent Mental Illness) populations preferred.
• Demonstrated counseling experience in a behavioral health or healthcare setting.
• Strong care coordination skills with the ability to work across internal and external providers.
• Proficiency in data entry and use of electronic medical record (EMR) systems.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology relevant to behavioral health and healthcare services.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage clients and collaborate with colleagues.
• Solid assessment skills to identify client needs, risks, and appropriate interventions.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team in a structured program environment.
• Detail-oriented approach with the ability to follow policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Reliable attendance and flexibility with scheduling within the defined shift structure.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be a Qualified Healthcare Professional with one of the following credentials: CASAC, CASAC-T, or an equivalent credential.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in the healthcare or behavioral health industry, particularly in structured program settings.
• Strong customer service orientation with a compassionate and professional demeanor.
• Comfort working with diverse patient needs and complex psychosocial situations.
• Additional preferred credentials such as MSW, LMSW, or LMHC.
• Interest in gaining strong clinical experience to support licensure or long-term career advancement.
• Ability to maintain and strengthen referral relationships and community partnerships.
• Comfort working with program reporting systems such as HRA STARS, ACS, and CJS.

Work Environment

This is an onsite position based at a corporate office in the Bronx within a structured behavioral health program. The schedule runs Tuesday through Saturday, with shifts typically from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., totaling 40 hours per week. The role operates in a multidisciplinary team environment, collaborating closely with clinical and administrative staff to deliver coordinated care. Work involves regular use of electronic medical record (EMR) systems, program reporting platforms, and standard office and clinical equipment. The setting emphasizes professionalism, adherence to healthcare and regulatory standards, and consistent, reliable presence to support clients and team operations

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New York, NY.

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $29.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New York, NY.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in New York,NY.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.