Description:

(Bridgeview Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) is an affiliate of Bethany for Children & Families)

Bethany for Children & Families, in affiliation with Bridgeview Community Mental Health Center, is looking to fill positions for several Behavioral Health Counselors. The Behavioral Health Counselor provides behavior intervention and/or counseling services intended to improve mental health and associated behavior. Services are provided to an established caseload of clients funded through Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS) in Iowa or Medicaid Rehabilitation Option (MRO) services in Illinois. All services are rendered under the supervision of a licensed clinician.

Behavior health intervention services are designed to modify the psychological, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and social factors affecting an individual’s functioning. Behavioral health counselors work to enhance a client’s quality of life by teaching the skills needed to be successful in the home, school, and community environments.

Counseling intervention and support is provided in the form of evidence-based clinical practices, which are performed under the supervision of an independently licensed clinician, and used to promote positive and/or pro-social emotional, cognitive, behavioral, or psychological changes.

Behavioral Health Counselor base salary:

$50,000.00 for FT; $29.00-$34.00 billable PT.

What YOU get for being a Behavioral Health Counselor:

• Competitive Compensation,
• For full-time employees in their first year of employment, one hour of vacation leave is earned for every 26 hours paid, with a maximum of 80 hours earned per year. For full-time employees after their first year of employment, one hour of vacation leave is earned for every 13 hours paid, with a maximum of 160 hours earned per year,
• Full-time employees earn one hour of sick leave for every 21.67 hours paid,
• Part-time employees earn sick and vacation leave benefits based on the actual number of hours paid in a pay period,
• Eleven (11) paid holidays,
• Agency contributions of 8% calculated on bi-weekly earnings to a 403(b) Thrift Plan (retirement plan) upon meeting plan eligibility criteria,
• An option of two health plans, one with a Health Savings Account benefit that includes employer contributions,
• Dental insurance,
• Vision insurance,
• Employer-paid Basic Life and Basic AD&D insurance,
• Options of employee-paid premiums for voluntary supplemental insurance offered through UNUM, and
• An Educational Aide program.

Behavioral Health Counselor job duties:

• Assist clients in learning appropriate ways to manage mental health challenges and empower improvements day-to-day functioning.
• Meet with clients consistently to ensure utilization of authorized units.
• Provide professionally appropriate transportation as necessary to accomplish treatment goals.
• Establish positive relationships with clients, families, and their support network.
• Manage the prior authorization process, if applicable to the service.
• Develop specific service plan activities based upon an evaluation and overarching treatment plan created by a licensed clinician.
• Review the treatment plan as needed and according to internal policy guidelines.
• Provide supportive evidence-based interventions in accord with the treatment plan.
• Document service delivery and maintain clinical records and all required data and reports as dictated by agency policy, legal, and regulatory requirements, and files all necessary reports in a timely manner.
• Coordinate services through collaborative efforts which involve families, school personnel, case managers, hospitals, community resources, medical and non-medical providers, vocational, social, and support services.
• Ensure continuity of care, in accord with agency policy, by accounting for and addressing relevant clinical risk factors and effectively managing transitions of care (admission/discharge).
• Make necessary referrals and serves as liaison with other agencies.
• Represent the agency in a professional manner.
• Attend and participates in professional staff meetings, department meetings, and in-services as required.
• Remain flexible, accepts changes in work schedule and assignments.
• Maintain established agency/department policies, procedures, directives, confidentiality, quality assurance, safety and infection control standards as appropriate.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and models the mission and core values of the agency through behavior and attitude. Display patience, tact, fairness, and respect in dealing with staff, clients, other services providers, agencies, and the community.
• Demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and maintain the highest level of professional integrity in adherence to the agency’s corporate compliance program.
• Perform and carries out all other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Behavioral Health Counselor qualifications:

1. Have the ability to fulfill all of the regulatory requirements for employees of a Community Mental Health Center in the State of Iowa or Illinois as required by state and federal law. This includes successful completion of the criminal background investigation, clearance from the Illinois CANTS when applicable, as well as the office of the inspector general exclusionary screening.

2. Have a valid driver’s license, meet qualifications to operate agency vehicles, and have acceptable auto insurance coverage.

3. Required Education

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

4. Experience and Skills

• At least one year of related experience is required when working with adults.
• If working with children, the incumbent who possesses a Bachelor’s degree in a social sciences field, must have one year of experience working in children’s mental health.
• If working with children, the incumbent who possesses a Bachelor’s degree in a non-social sciences field, must have at least two years of experience working in children’s mental health.
• Ability to work some weekday evenings, after school hours, and weekends as needed.
• Computer competency.
• Maintain a flexible schedule in response to program needs or caseload assignments.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Have sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in the community.
• Be able to physically attend to children who are experiencing difficulties.

EOE

Bethany for Children & Families, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, gender, gender identification, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, citizenship status, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic defined by law. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities who share our commitment to keeping children safe, strengthening families, and building healthy communities.