Behavioral Health Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

FamilyCare Health Centers is looking for a Behavioral Health Counselor

Location: Patrick Street and Marmet Offices

Physical Requirements:  The employee is regularly required speak and hear sufficiently to communicate effectively by phone or in person, at normal volumes. Specific vision is required by this job include adequate vision to read correspondence, computer screen, forms, etc. The employee is to have good manual dexterity. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:   Current West Virginia licensure as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Excellent working knowledge of behavioral medicine and evidence-based treatments for medical and mental health conditions. Ability to make quick and accurate clinical assessments of mental and behavioral conditions. High level of comfort in working with primary care medical providers using a consultative style. Ability to work through brief patient contacts, including via telephone and teleconferencing. Good knowledge of psycho-pharmacology. Ability to design and implement clinical pathways and protocols for treatment of selected mental and behavioral conditions. Ability to design effective psycho-education curricula and lead effective psycho-education classes. Ability to train and teach effective behavioral health interventions and the primary behavioral health model to medical practitioners and other behavioral health providers. Ability to work effectively as a team, interfacing with patients, primary care providers, consulting psychiatrist and mental health specialists, as well as with administrative and support staff. Ability to exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions, and to handle difficult or confrontational situations in a calm, consistent and equitable manner. Ability to effectively represent FamilyCare's interests in the community and maintain effective working relationships among co-workers, public, private and professional groups. Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations.

Basic Function: The behavioral health counselor treats abnormal physical or mental behavior within the primary care setting. In addition, the behavioral health counselor uses evidence-based techniques to develop and implement therapeutic treatment plans in a medical setting.

Duties and Responsibilities :

1. Assists primary health care providers in recognizing and treating psychological and/or emotional problems.
2. Observes and evaluates patients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior and makes diagnoses when appropriate. (If LGSW, must discuss each case with clinical supervisor for supervisor to ultimately make diagnosis.) 
3. Develops and implements therapeutic treatment plans in a medical setting. (LGSWs under supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional.)
4. Counsels' individuals and groups regarding psychological or emotional problems, such as stress, substance abuse, or family situations. (LGSWs under supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional.)
5. Facilitates recovery groups for patients receiving medication-assisted opioid treatment. (LGSWs under supervision of a licensed behavioral health professional.)
6. Consults with primary care provider, social worker, or other specialists as part of a treatment team regarding treatment plans and amend plans as necessary. 
7. Refers client elsewhere for supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling when medically necessary.
8. Attends and participates in meetings and Quality Improvement activities as required.