Counselor III Access Center | Gainesville

Counselor III Access Center | Gainesville

Join Our Mission: Your Meridian Career Starts Here!

Position Title: Counselor III
Location: Gainesville, FL
Salary: $19.28 | Hr. | non-exempt

Why Choose Meridian?


For over 50 years, Meridian Healthcare has been a trusted provider of compassionate care for individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. With service centers across 13 counties in North Central Florida, we are committed to transforming lives and communities from the inside out.

We live by our core values: Hope, Empathy, Accountability, Resilience, and Teamwork (H.E.A.R.T.) . If these resonate with you, we invite you to become part of our dedicated and mission-driven team.

About the Role


As the Counselor III , you will play a pivotal role in shaping the operational excellence and strategic direction of Meridian. You will:

• Assist clients in accessing appropriate services at Meridian while treating clients with dignity and respect at all times.
• Stabilize crisis callers and triage into the most appropriate level of care.
• As needed, provide in-person screening and scheduling.
• Helps to ensure the collection of data to ensure pertinent information is accurate regarding admissions, Medicaid or other 3rd party payer status, etc.
• Develops strong collaborative relationships with internal and external customers by offering support and demonstrating openness, giving accurate information as requested.
• Performs other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objective.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in related field (social work, counseling, psychology) required
• Experience with crisis intervention and suicide prevention preferred
• Must be able to type at least 27 words a minute and pass Outlook and Windows proficiency levels

What You'll Love About Working at Meridian

• Vibrant Culture: Friendly, flexible, and engaging work environment with regular celebrations and wellness events.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous PTO for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple health insurance options, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, and more.
• Wellness & Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness incentives, and mental health resources.
• Retirement & Compensation: Competitive salary and a 403(b)-retirement plan with up to 8% company match after 7 years.
• Growth Opportunities: Tuition reimbursement, career advancement pathways, and eligibility for public service loan forgiveness.
• Perks: Discounts on cell phone plans, travel reimbursement, LegalShield, pet insurance, and more.

Ready to Make an Impact?


Apply today and help us bring hope and healing to our communities.
Apply Now

For information on Florida's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse and screening requirements, visit

Meridian is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.