FQHC Behavioral Health Consultant

About the role

Provides brief mental health and substance use intervention services to patients in an outpatient family practice Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Services are delivered in-person and via telehealth using evidence-based models, with ongoing collaboration with health center staff and other behavioral health team members within a Community Mental Health Center.

Responsibilities

• Provides individual and family mental health and substance use therapy and services to children, adolescents, and adults in an integrated care setting.
• Delivers brief intervention therapy using evidence-based models (e.g., motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy) in 30-minute face-to-face sessions, with a maximum of 6–8 sessions per patient depending on needs.
• Assesses referred clients to determine appropriate services and level of care, and makes referrals accordingly.
• Provides case management services to coordinate, support, and advocate for clients requiring access to mental health, social, vocational, educational, child welfare, and other community services and resources.
• Performs integrated care responsibilities including consultation with health center providers, participation in patient staffing, notification of providers regarding client treatment progress, risk and treatment need assessment on-site, outreach and community engagement, symptom and outcome tracking, development of psychoeducational materials, and participation in team meetings.
• Completes clinical documentation in accordance with FQHC and organizational policies, established timeframes, and productivity standards.
• Assesses and stabilizes high-risk individuals and/or families.
• Collaborates with other programs and staff within the organization.
• Coordinates with external agencies and organizations (e.g., DCFS, schools, hospitals, other providers) as required.
• Responds to client needs outside of regularly scheduled sessions.
• Monitors and supports services provided by other health center providers (medical, dental, psychiatry).
• Participates in peer review to ensure documentation meets standards of care and regulatory guidelines.
• Attends required meetings, trainings, and consultations.
• Maintains licensure and continuing education requirements, submitting records to HR and Credentialing and Compliance Departments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field required.
• LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT required.
• CADC preferred.
• Experience in substance use disorder and/or related fields required.
• Preferred experience working with clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Experience in integrated care with a primary care population and demonstrated knowledge of brief treatment modalities (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy).
• Ability to work as part of a team and collaborate with consumers, referral sources, and community providers.

Schedule

This position works on-site daily at the Integrated Health Center with at least one evening until 8:30 pm and every other Saturday (8:30 am–1:00 pm). A total of at least 10 weekly client-facing hours must be scheduled after 4:00 pm. Candidates must maintain a safe driving record and have a current valid Illinois Driver’s License. Personal vehicle required for transportation to meetings at other Pillars Community Health sites; mileage reimbursable for authorized work-related purposes.

Pay

$57,000–$67,000 per year. Wage is based on experience, qualifications, licensure status, and bilingual language skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, short/long-term disability, life, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Paid time off for vacation, sick leave, personal time, holidays, and wellness days.
• Professional development membership to Relias Essential Learning.
• Reimbursement for position-related clinical license and certifications.