Works collaboratively with other behavioral health and medical providers and trainees engaged in related therapeutic/patient care activities. The Behavioral Health Department Licensed Counselor provides counseling therapy, crisis intervention, and/or case management services in an integrated primary care setting located in a community health center. Remote work along with flexible hours are available. Cares for the needs of the specific patient population and provides appropriate direct patient care through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of specific conditions. The Clinician may also serve as part of a consulting team with constant and effective communication with management and direct care staff regarding clinical policies, and procedures.

Major responsibilities:

• Provides culturally competent, excellent quality care to community health center patients
• Provides clinical expertise and guidance to other clinicians working in the same health center
• Collaborates with CHC staff to provide comprehensive primary care to patients
• Provides counseling, therapy, and/or psychotherapy to clients and families as appropriate to the position; prepares treatment plans, discharge plans, and follow-up care programs; provides therapeutic crisis intervention and urgent services as required.
• Collects data about patients through interviews, case histories, psychological tests, and/or observational techniques; evaluates data to identify causes of problems and to determine proper therapeutic approach or referral to other specialists.
• Consult with mental health and medical staff, as appropriate, in the performance of therapeutic and/or casework; refer clients to appropriate service agencies as required.
• Refers clients to appropriate social service agencies for financial assistance and other required services
• Follows up to determine the reliability of treatment used; changes method and degree of therapy when indicated.
• Establishes and maintains case files, referrals, and other related documents for the treatment of clients; prepares related documentation for civil commitment hearings or other legal proceedings; keeps abreast of patient data to ensure appropriate treatment and care are delivered.
• Consult with other legal and treatment agencies and individuals about patient/client records, rights, and responsibilities.
• Actively participates in the CHC, Inc. quality assurance program.
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the health center's mission.
• Demonstrate understanding and commitment to the established CHC Values and Standards.
• Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Performs additional job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree, or equivalent, in mental health counseling, or clinical/counseling psychology and Massachusetts licensure as an LICSW, LCSW, or LMHC.
• Ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments.
• Proficiency with the use of a computer (Microsoft Office) as a communication and data management tool.
• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health counseling principles, methods, procedures, and standards.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining patient records.
• Knowledge of clinical operations and procedures.
• Knowledge of community mental health resources and willingness to reach out to existing resources.
• Ability to maintain emotional stability to cope with human suffering, emergencies, and other stresses.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to evaluate the progress of therapeutic programs and to make individual modifications.
• Ability to create, compose, and edit written materials.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of social and vocational rehabilitation as they relate to mental health clinical practices.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical issues related to patients' rights.