About Job

Southwest Care Center employees can answer yes to these 3 questions:

1. Do you want to make a difference?

2. Do you believe everyone is entitled to quality healthcare?

3. Do you desire to serve the underserved in your community?

For over 25 years, Southwest Care Center has been providing exceptional healthcare to the communities of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. We are a non-profit, FQHC-LAL providing medical, behavioral health, case management, community outreach, diabetes education, and pharmacy services. We are proud to offer gender equity medicine, syringe exchange, and HIV/Hep C treatment, testing and other services within our communities.

Southwest Care Center is currently seeking a full-time Behavioral Health Counselor for our Harkle Clinic located in Santa Fe, NM.

Position Details:

Reporting to the Vice President of Quality Assurance & Operations, the Behavioral Health Counselor II (BHC II) functions as a core member of a collaborative care team involving the patient’s primary care provider, a psychiatric provider, case manager, nurse, and other clinical staff as necessary and appropriate. The BHC II is responsible for ensuring programmatic and therapeutic fidelity and the maximization of internal and community resources in the delivery of behavioral health services.

The BHC II will model professionalism, meet expected performance levels, demonstrate the values of the organization, and most importantly provide patient-focused services. This role will serve as a patient advocate using good judgment, initiative, critical thinking, and effective communication at all times.

Position responsibilities include but not limited to:

Screen and assess patients for common mental and substance use disorders.
Support and closely coordinate mental health care with the patient’s primary care provider and other SCC staff as appropriate.
Provide patient education about common mental and substance use disorders and available treatment options.
Monitor clients (in person or by telephone) for changes in clinical symptoms and treatment side effects or complications.
Support psychotropic medication management prescribed by Psychiatric Practitioner, focusing on treatment adherence, attention to side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
Provide or facilitate in-clinic or outside referrals as needed.
Document patient progress and treatment recommendations in EMR.
Conduct regularly scheduled caseload consultation with the multidisciplinary team and communicate the resulting treatment recommendations to the patient’s PCP. These consultations will primarily focus on patients who are new to treatment or who are not improving as expected with recommendations for changes to treatment if needed.
Facilitate patient engagement and follow-up with behavioral health care.
Track patient follow-up and clinical outcomes. Document encounters in EMR and use the system to identify and reengage patients who may be lost to follow-up.
Facilitate referrals for clinically indicated services outside the primary care clinic (e.g., social services such as housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, mental health specialty care, substance use treatment).
Complete relapse prevention plans with clients with substance use disorders.
Participate in regular training and technical assistance activities for SCC staff.
Provide chart review or other clinical supervision for BHC I staff as assigned.
Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Highlights:

Master of Social Work or Counseling from an Accredited Program.
Two years direct client therapy experience preferred.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).
Basic Life Support (BLS).

Employment Highlights:

M-F 8-5 typical schedule.
Competitive rate of pay.
Generous time off plans including sick and holidays.
Tuition reimbursement and other professional development programs.
Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, supplemental life and spousal coverages, employer paid disability, and access to the 340B prescription program if a patient at SCC.

Interested in this Position? Need More Information?

Apply today and we will connect you with a member of our recruitment team. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

If you experience difficulty applying or need assistance please contact HR@southwestcare.org.

Please note, we are unable to respond to resume inquiries.

Living & Working in New Mexico:

The Land of Enchantment offers residents a way of life that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States. Our clinic locations are in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, NM. Each with its own unique vibe and both offering all the perks you get when you call New Mexico Home.

Rich cultural and historical diversity.
310 days of sunshine, combined with a mild, dry climate and four distinct seasons! You’ll forget what humidity is when you live here.
Unlimited year-round outdoor opportunities including hiking, rock-climbing, rafting, motorized sports, and even skiing. Yes, we have really big ski mountains in and around the deserts of New Mexico!
Diverse and inclusive communities with amazingly kind people from all walks of life.
Gorgeous landscapes that include desert and majestic mountains. New Mexico has to be to be seen to believe.
Continuous festivals, concerts, and events including the internationally known Balloon Fiesta of Albuquerque.
International airport providing low-cost, quick access in-country and out.
Big city amenities found in Albuquerque with easy access from Santa Fe (50 min). Many of our employees commute between these cities. Both cities are connected by the NM rail system for those looking for a relaxing commute with a breath-taking view.
Great schools and family friendly communities.
And let’s not forget about New Mexican cuisine—it is some of the best food in the country. Will you have red or green?