Counselor

Compensation:

• Salaried, Exempt
• New hires can expect to be placed on our starting wage scale of $79,892.80 to $97,094.40 per year
• Based on performance, there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $79,892.80 to $114,296 per year

Work Schedule:

• 40 hours/week
• Monday-Friday

Who We Are

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing almost 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.

 

Job Summary

We believe mental & emotional health is an important part of overall health and wellness. Our behavioral health providers work closely with patients and their Primary Care Providers to help them meet their health care goals. As a Specialty Behavioral Health Counselor, you would provide ongoing/episodic mental health treatment for a caseload of patients engaged in primary care at Unity Care NW. Duties are listed below:

1. Maintains and treats a caseload of patients:

1. Collaborates around and completes appropriate scheduling, session length, and session frequency for a full caseload of patients based on clinical assessment and need.
2. Utilizes treatment goals and timely discharges to manage cases and maintains flow of referrals to serve the needs of the primary care patient population at UCNW.
3. Maintains awareness and tracks patient engagement, providing appropriate outreach and encouraging full participation in clinical treatment.
4. Meets productivity requirement.

2. Provides Clinical Therapy:

1. Evaluates, assesses, and diagnoses patient with a qualifying mental health diagnosis following current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria, Department of Health Washington Administrative Codes (WACs), and existing UCNW template structure.
2. Creates measurable treatment plans, with goals towards completing treatment.
3. Provides risk assessments, safety/crisis planning, and coordination of care for patients when clinically indicated.
4. Utilizes evidence based practices and provides therapeutic interventions in an outpatient treatment setting.
   
   

3. Documents all patient contact and coordination of care:

1. Completes documentation adhering to UCNW’s policy.
2. Writes clear and concise chart notes, utilizing the Data, Assessment, and Plan (DAP) format for individual sessions.
   
   

4. Collaborates and communicates effectively with all UCNW treatment teams and community resources/agencies as appropriate in treatment:

1. Refers to appropriate resource(s) as clinically indicated.
2. Uses established communication methods to coordinate care with full health team at UCNW (e.g., Primary Care, Case Management, Psychiatry, Substance Use).

You can learn more about the SBH Counselor role at https://youtu.be/NPYHfSLvIO4.

What We Offer

• A friendly team-based environment
• Clinical supervision for all therapists
• Opportunities for group collaboration
• A competitive compensation package
• A salaried position without the overhead and cost of running a private practice
• Outpatient only with no call schedule
• In-house case management
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)

Loan Repayment Application Opportunities

Watch our video at UCNW Loan Repayment Program - YouTube to learn more about loan repayment opportunities at UCNW!

• Employment at UCNW counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness – details can be viewed at Federal Student Aid.
• Eligible providers may apply for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC Loan Repayment Program | NHSC (hrsa.gov)), Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps | WSAC) &/or Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (Apply to the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program | Bureau of Health Workforce (hrsa.gov))

 

Benefits Include:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (160 hours Year 1, 208 hours Year 2 & increasing again at Year 5 & Year 10)
• Other paid leaves including: Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Optional insurances including: Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursements
• Medical Hardship payroll loans, Employee Referral Bonuses, Will preparation services & gym discounts
• Continuing Education
• Reimbursement of license renewal fees

• Independent license as a Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist or Psychologist in Washington State (or be eligible to obtain an independent license in Washington)
• Mental Health Professional (MHP) acknowledgment or have the qualifications to be acknowledged as an MHP by the WA State Department of Health (details can be viewed at https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/611014.pdf)
• 2 years’ direct clinical experience, preferably in community health or community mental health

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of state Medicaid mental health system functions, requirements, and changes, or proven ability to gain this knowledge.
• Knowledge of the assessment and treatment of the full range of behavioral health disorders and familiarity with use of psychotropic medications.
• Knowledge of the local community and private behavioral health and human services resources.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues including prevention, and psychosocial aspects.
• Knowledge of how chronic medical issues and behavioral health interplay.
• Must be able to follow all UCNW protocols, including those related to clinic administration, patient care, and completion of timely chart notes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint as well as Doxy and Zoom.
• Ability to learn and use our Electronic Health Record system, payroll system, instant messaging software & online training systems.

Candidates who meet the job requirements who have applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!

About Bellingham

Live in a community consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham is home to over 90,000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. Enjoy all the area has to offer:

• Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Biking, Skiing, Snow Boarding, Fishing, Sailing, Kayaking, & Camping)
• Excellent Schools (University, Community College, Technical School, & Outstanding K-12 Educational System)
• Small Town or City Living (Unique Shops, Local Festivals, Farmers Markets, Berry Picking, & Community Events)
• Cultural Activities (Theater, Music, Independent Films, Museums, Art Studios, & Diverse Local Restaurants)