Contracted Counselor I

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Flexible schedule
• Opportunity for advancement
• Training & development
• Wellness resources

Position Information
Department: Clinical Services
Employment Classification: Independent Contractor (1099)
Reports To: Clinical Supervisor
Program Assignment:

• Outpatient Behavioral Health Services (OP) 
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) 
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) 

Primary Practice Location:
Delaware
Work Arrangement
Counselor I contractors primarily provide services in person from approved CRHE clinical locations.
Tele-behavioral health services may be provided only after successful completion of CRHE telehealth orientation, demonstration of competency, supervisory approval, and authorization under CRHE Telehealth Policies and Procedures, applicable payer requirements, and Delaware regulations. Telehealth services shall be provided only from approved CRHE clinical locations.

Compensation
$23.00 per clinical hour
Compensation is based upon completed billable clinical services in accordance with the executed Independent Contractor Agreement, CRHE policies and procedures, and payer requirements.

Schedule
This is a variable-hour independent contractor position.
Clinical schedules are established collaboratively between CRHE and the contractor based upon:

• Contractor availability 
• Client demand 
• Program assignment 
• Organizational priorities 
• Referral volume 

Evening and occasional weekend availability may be requested to improve client access to care.

About CRHE
The Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) is an integrated behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to expanding equitable access to comprehensive mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorder treatment. Through culturally responsive care, evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community partnerships, CRHE seeks to improve behavioral health outcomes while addressing the social and structural factors influencing health and recovery.
CRHE provides outpatient behavioral health services, intensive outpatient programming (IOP), partial hospitalization programming (PHP), psychiatric medication management, integrated care coordination, and recovery-oriented services designed to promote long-term wellness.

Position Summary
The Counselor I provide behavioral health counseling services under the clinical supervision of a Clinical Supervisor. This position delivers evidence-based services to adults experiencing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions across outpatient (OP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and partial hospitalization (PHP) programs.
The Counselor I participate in clinical assessment, treatment planning, counseling, crisis intervention, care coordination, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration while progressively developing clinical competency under supervision. This position is intended to support professional growth toward independent clinical practice while maintaining compliance with CRHE policies and applicable Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) regulations.

Regulatory Classification
This position is established in accordance with applicable Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) regulations governing licensed substance use disorder treatment facilities.
CRHE hiring standards may exceed minimum DSAMH regulatory requirements based upon organizational needs, payer credentialing standards, and the complexity of services provided.

Essential Functions
The Counselor I is responsible for providing supervised behavioral healthcare services that promote recovery, resilience, and improved psychosocial functioning.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Clinical Assessment

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments under clinical supervision. 
• Gather behavioral, psychiatric, medical, substance use, trauma, family, vocational, and psychosocial history. 
• Administer approved behavioral health screening instruments. 
• Participate in diagnostic case formulation with supervising clinicians. 
• Conduct suicide, homicide, abuse, neglect, and safety risk assessments using approved organizational tools. 
• Present complex clinical cases during supervision and treatment team meetings. 
• Participate in ASAM-informed level-of-care recommendations under supervision. 

Treatment Planning

• Collaborate with clients to develop individualized treatment plans. 
• Establish measurable treatment goals and objectives. 
• Review treatment progress and recommend modifications as clinically indicated. 
• Participate in discharge planning and continuing care coordination. 
• Collaborate with supervising clinicians regarding treatment recommendations. 

Counseling Services
Provide behavioral health counseling services within the scope of training, education, supervision, and organizational policy, including:

• Individual counseling 
• Family counseling 
• Couples counseling (when clinically appropriate and supervised) 
• Psychoeducational groups 
• Process groups 
• Relapse prevention groups 
• Recovery-oriented interventions 
• Crisis intervention 

Utilize evidence-based interventions appropriate to client needs, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) 
• Person-Centered Therapy 
• Solution-Focused Therapy 
• Trauma-Informed Care 
• Seeking Safety 
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed interventions 

Integrated Behavioral Healthcare
The Counselor I collaborate with:

• Licensed Clinicians 
• Counselor II staff 
• Qualified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners 
• Clinical Supervisors 
• Case Management 
• Peer Recovery Specialists 
• Community providers 
• Primary care providers 
• Hospitals 
• Referral partners 

to ensure coordinated, recovery-oriented care.

Crisis Intervention

• Assist with behavioral health crisis assessment. 
• Develop safety plans under supervision. 
• Coordinate emergency referrals when indicated. 
• Participate in crisis stabilization planning. 
• Document crisis interventions according to organizational policy. 

Documentation Responsibilities
The Counselor I is responsible for maintaining accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation under supervision.
Documentation responsibilities include:

• Biopsychosocial assessments 
• Progress notes 
• DAP and/or SOAP notes 
• Treatment plans 
• Treatment plan reviews 
• Group psychotherapy documentation 
• Discharge summaries 
• Referral documentation 
• Critical incident reports 
• Other documentation required by CRHE, DSAMH, and third-party payers 

Clinical documentation shall be reviewed as required by CRHE policy and completed within established organizational timeframes.

Caseload Expectations
Counselor I contractors maintain a clinical caseload appropriate to their demonstrated competency, level of supervision, contractor availability, and program assignment.
Caseload assignments are determined based upon:

• Clinical competency 
• Client acuity 
• Program assignment 
• Contractor availability 
• Organizational needs 
• Supervisory recommendations 

Productivity expectations shall be established by CRHE while ensuring sufficient time for supervision, documentation, professional development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Quality Improvement & Compliance
Counselor I contractors are expected to:

• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings. 
• Attend required clinical supervision. 
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives. 
• Maintain compliance with CRHE policies and procedures. 
• Participate in documentation review. 
• Complete required organizational training. 
• Report critical incidents and safety concerns. 
• Practice in accordance with professional ethical standards and applicable laws. 

Minimum Qualifications
DSAMH Regulatory Requirements
Applicants shall meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Current certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the State of Delaware; or  
• Current certification through a nationally recognized organization in addictions counseling or co-occurring disorder counseling; or  
• Five (5) years of documented clinical experience working in the field of substance use disorder treatment. 

Preferred Qualifications
CRHE Hiring Preferences
CRHE strongly prefers applicants who possess:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in:
  • Social Work 
  • Psychology 
  • Sociology 
  • Human Services 
  • Behavioral Science 
  • or another related behavioral health discipline. 
• Experience working with adults experiencing mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or co-occurring disorders. 
• Eligibility for provisional professional licensure in Delaware , or willingness to pursue provisional licensure under CRHE clinical supervision. 
• Working knowledge of DSM-5-TR. 
• Familiarity with the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria. 
• Experience facilitating psychoeducational or therapeutic groups. 
• Experience utilizing electronic health record systems. 
• Pennsylvania licensure or eligibility is preferred for future organizational expansion. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The Counselor I shall demonstrate knowledge of:
Clinical Knowledge

• Behavioral health assessment 
• Counseling theories and techniques 
• Human growth and development 
• Crisis intervention 
• Trauma-informed care 
• Recovery-oriented behavioral healthcare 
• Cultural responsiveness 
• DSM-5-TR diagnostic concepts 
• Professional ethics 

Professional Skills

• Clinical interviewing 
• Treatment planning 
• Documentation 
• Professional communication 
• Time management 
• Organization 
• Team collaboration 
• Receptiveness to supervision 

Technical Skills

• Electronic Health Record documentation 
• Microsoft Office applications 
• Secure electronic communication systems 

Professional Expectations
Counselor I contractors are expected to:

• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and accountability. 
• Practice within the scope of training and supervision. 
• Participate actively in clinical supervision. 
• Accept and integrate supervisory feedback. 
• Demonstrate progressive clinical growth. 
• Maintain professional boundaries. 
• Complete documentation within organizational timeframes. 
• Promote culturally responsive and person-centered behavioral healthcare. 
• Support CRHE's mission, vision, and organizational values. 

Contractor Opportunities
CRHE offers Counselor I contractors the opportunity to:

• Develop foundational competencies in integrated behavioral healthcare. 
• Gain supervised experience across OP, IOP, and PHP levels of care. 
• Collaborate within an interdisciplinary treatment team. 
• Participate in organizational training and quality improvement activities. 
• Progress toward provisional and independent professional licensure. 

Physical Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of this position.
The Counselor I must be able to:

• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach as necessary to perform clinical responsibilities. 
• Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and community partners. 
• Utilize electronic health record systems. 
• Perform behavioral health responsibilities in a professional clinical environment. 
• Safely respond to behavioral health emergencies consistent with organizational policy. 

Equal Opportunity Statement
The Center for Research & Health Equity (CRHE) is committed to fostering a professional environment grounded in integrity, collaboration, innovation, accountability, and respect. CRHE recruits qualified professionals based upon demonstrated competency, education, experience, and organizational need. We are committed to developing the next generation of behavioral health professionals while delivering equitable, evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment to the communities we serve.