Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)

Pay

$43.59 per hour plus per‑diem and housing provided.

Schedule

This full‑time position requires availability to work days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Night shifts may occur but are generally not required. The role includes rotational on‑call coverage and may require returning to the facility during the coverage period. The facility operates 24/7/365, and the employee must respond during emergency activations.

Responsibilities

• Provides direction and oversight to a multi‑disciplinary team in the implementation and management of an integrated mental health treatment program.
• Provides direct care to patients within the scope of practice, adhering to licensure, certification, credentialing, and granted privileges.
• Develops, manages, and monitors patient treatment plans in coordination with behavioral health technicians to assess functioning and progress.
• Responds to and/or coordinates response to medical emergencies as needed.
• Assesses and evaluates the mental health of residents according to DSM‑5 criteria and refers to outside treatment facilities when necessary.
• Works with legal counsel to provide written evaluation reports on the mental health status of individuals placed on the Seriously Mental Illness (SMI) List.
• Provides weekly reports/updates on individuals on the SMI list to the HQ Behavioral Health Unit.
• Provides weekly reports/updates on individuals housed in segregation to the HQ Behavioral Health Unit.
• Identifies, refers, and evaluates individuals with significant mental illness using the designated Mental Health Review Form.
• Delivers brief counseling, psychotherapy, group therapy, behavioral analysis, and substance‑abuse education per Residential and Detention Standards.
• Provides mental health treatment to individuals presenting signs or symptoms of sexual or physical assault, abuse, or neglect using a multidisciplinary approach.
• Provides mental health treatment to individuals presenting signs or symptoms of suicidal, dangerous, or psychotic behaviors.
• Conducts post‑discharge follow‑up for individuals returning from inpatient mental health treatment.
• Serves as suicide‑prevention program coordinator in the absence of the Supervisory Behavioral Health Provider, as assigned by the Clinical Director.
• Assesses, recognizes, and treats behavioral or other mental health conditions that affect successful treatment.
• Acts as a mental health consultant to other health professionals at the facility.
• Develops training and clinical education materials and provides education to medical staff, full‑time employees, and contract staff.
• Provides staff education and training on mental health topics, including suicide prevention, hunger strikes, abuse and neglect, and victims of torture.
• Manages all case management activities, including community treatment placement, hospital placement, and other after‑care situations.
• Obtains information to assist staff in responding to external inquiries regarding the Case Management Unit.
• Coordinates with the HQ Behavioral Health Unit for continuity of care and appropriate placement or treatment of residents.
• Utilizes the electronic health record (EHR) system for clinical assessments, evaluations, referral initiation, and transfer/discharge summaries.
• Assists the case management team in researching resources for patients upon discharge.
• Supports the local performance improvement coordinator in clinical performance improvement activities, risk identification, and management.
• Performs record‑keeping functions in accordance with program policies.
• Maintains functional proficiency with electronic health records.
• Completes and passes all discipline‑specific competency testing initially and annually.
• Completes all required initial, annual, and ad‑hoc training.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and complies with the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations.
• Adheres to organizational policies, procedures, directives, operational memoranda, and accreditation standards.
• Participates in safety, infection control, quality improvement, patient education, and related programs.
• Attends and participates in general and medical staff meetings.
• Provides oversight and consultation to behavioral health technicians and interns, as applicable.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
• Minimum of one year of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the independent level, where clinical supervision is not required.
• Current, permanent, full and unrestricted license to practice clinical social work independently in the state of employment (LMHC, LPC, or LCSW certification).
• Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers® certification through the American Heart Association® or the American Red Cross.
• Preferred (not required): Experience implementing and managing a new mental health treatment