Behavioral Health Counselor

About the role

The Behavioral Health Counselor serves as an active part of a multidisciplinary team that provides outpatient assessment and clinical treatment services to children, adolescents, families and adults who present with a wide range of significant behavioral health needs. Treatment is aimed at assisting individuals and families by helping them develop the skills necessary to improve their quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive intake assessment that results in diagnosis and recommendations for psychiatric and substance abuse treatment for children, adolescents, adults and/or families and assists with appropriate referrals and linkage to others services, if appropriate.
• Develops achievable treatment plan goals with child, adult and or family; with measurable and behavioral objectives within designated timeframes.
• Maintains treatment progress and provides updates within identified timeframes and as necessary.
• Performs individual, family and group treatment utilizing evidence based practices to facilitate positive strength-based change.
• Collaborates and coordinates with external agencies such as schools, PCPs, DCF, probation, court and other social service agencies in a timely manner.
• Responds to crisis situations and triages appropriately, communicating clearly with professionals –internal and external – to meet presenting client needs.
• Secures reimbursement by obtaining authorizations, providing accurate documentation and the submitting progress notes in a timely manner.
• Completes documentation within designated timeframes as established by CMHA and external regulatory agencies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health discipline
• Must be in actively in a masters level program focusing on degree in behavioral health discipline
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
• CT Driver’s License
• Successful experience working with the co-occurring population in individual and group treatment
• Beginner to intermediate experience with Microsoft Office products including Word and Outlook
• Experience in, or the ability to learn how to use an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system which includes appointment scheduling, authorization tracking, assessments, treatment plans, progress notes and discharge summaries

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance packages
• 403(b)-retirement savings plan with CMHA matching starting after 1 year of service
• 11 observed holidays
• 3 Wellbeing days off on a Friday throughout the year to extend a long weekend
• 2 CHMA/Personal days to use throughout the calendar year
• Up to 24 days of PTO that increases with years of service
• Paid agency closure between Christmas and New Year’s (except 24/7 programs)
• Company paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers counseling, coaching, and wellness resources for staff as well as members of their household
• Higher education tuition discounts at participating schools through the Alliance’s academic partnerships
• Free ongoing professional development opportunities and continuous access to Continuing Education Units (CEUs), featuring comprehensive training in Evidence-Based Practices, such as EMDR, DBT, and CBT
• Employee discounts for shopping, the New Britain YMCA, travel, and entertainment
• Free employee subscriptions to the calm app
• Annual Company Picnic
• CMHA-sponsored Loan Reimbursement Program and Scholarship Program
• Free Student Loan Wellness for eligible employees and their family members access to:
• Student loan consolidation and refinancing
• Loan payoff projection dashboard
• Chat, email, and phone coaching and support
• College cost calculator
• College financial planning
• NHSC-approved sites for federal student loan repayment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Enhancement for eligible employees' access to:
• Automated Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) form management for past and present employers
• Automated reminders for annual (PSLF) recertifications to help you stay on track
• Resources and ongoing communications that make PSLF understandable
• The opportunity to receive the national average of $72,000.00 in forgiveness