Behavioral Health Counselor

JOB PURPOSE:

The Behavioral Health Counselor functions under the supervision and guidance of the Behavioral Health Manager. The Behavioral Health Counselor will conduct patient assessments, implement therapeutic interventions, complete individualized treatment plans, provide patient education, and complete referrals as necessary. The counselor works collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to support integrated care in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) environment.

Essential Job Functions include, but are not limited to:

1.    Satisfies Core Competencies

•    Accepts responsibility for meeting the standards of the professional, ethical, and relevant legislated requirements.

•    Accepts responsibility for ensuring that performance meets the standards of the professional, ethical and relevant legislated requirements.

•    Demonstrates cultural competency, trauma-informed care, and commitment to patients. 

•    Maintains weekly scheduled appointments in electronic health record.  

2.    Patient Screening/Assessment:

•    Assists patients presenting through walk‑ins or warm hand‑offs from medical or behavioral health providers.

•    Conducts comprehensive assessments using validated tools, interviews, observations, and screenings.

•    Completes biopsychosocial evaluations to identify behavioral, psychosocial, environmental, and medical needs.

•    Identifies and addresses barriers to care, including social determinants of health.

•    Collaborates with both internal and external multidisciplinary teams to review findings and coordinate care.

•    Performs diagnostic evaluations and assigns appropriate DSM and ICD diagnostic codes.

3.    Treatment Planning and Follow Through:

•    Coordinates all aspects of behavioral health care management, including follow‑up and continuity of care.

•    Collaborates with patients to develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and evidence‑based interventions.

•    Works closely with medical providers, nurses, case managers, social workers, and community partners to support whole‑person care.

•    Participates in multidisciplinary case conferences to address patient needs and coordinate care strategies.

•    Provides individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions aligned with evidence‑based best practices for mental health and substance use disorders.

•    Initiates and completes referrals to community agencies, advocating to ensure access and continuity of care.

•    Provides crisis intervention, safety assessments, and de‑escalation support as needed.

4.    Reporting and Program/Staff Development:

•    Maintains complete, accurate, and confidential patient records in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.

•    Completes assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other required documentation in the EHR within established timeframes.

•    Attends mandatory trainings, staff meetings, and clinical supervision sessions.

•    Stays current on agency policies and procedures.

•    Maintains required continuing education (CE) hours based on licensure requirements.

•    Provides behavioral health education to patients, OHCC staff, and the broader community through case conferences, trainings, presentations, or written materials (e.g., blogs).

5.    Safety/Infection Control:

•    Adheres to organizational infection control policies, including proper hand hygiene, use of PPE when required, and safe interactions in clinical areas.

•    Follows protocols related to exposure control plans (e.g., bloodborne pathogens, airborne pathogens).

•    Reports any potential exposure, safety hazard, or incident immediately per agency procedure.

•    Complies with all safety policies, emergency preparedness plans, and procedures for fire safety, active shooter, natural disasters, etc.

•    Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and staff.

•    Participates in mandatory safety, compliance, and emergency response trainings.

•    Adheres to HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 (for substance use data), and all privacy/security regulations.

•    Follows all FQHC compliance programs including incident reporting, quality assurance, and risk management protocols.

•    Follows all practice standards and documentation requirements necessary for FTCA risk‑management compliance.

6.    Workforce Development:

•    Responsible for maintaining up-to-date knowledge, skills, and abilities

o    Attends and participates in in-service, monthly staff meetings, continuing education offerings, community training events, conferences, and webinars as appropriate

Required Education:

•    Active LCSW (Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners) or LPC (Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners) required.

•    Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling required.

•    Minimum one (1) year post‑graduate, paid clinical experience in mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment preferred.

•    Knowledge of evidence‑based practices, including trauma‑informed care and treatment for co‑occurring disorders.

•    Experience working with individuals experiencing co‑occurring mental health and substance use disorders preferred.

•    American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers required.

Skills, Licensure, and Knowledge Requirements

•    Knowledge of evidence‑based practices, including trauma‑informed care, cognitive‑behavioral therapies, and interventions for co‑occurring disorders.

•    Familiarity with FQHC practice standards, integrated care models, and multidisciplinary care coordination preferred.

•    Working knowledge of DSM and ICD diagnostic frameworks and ability to assign accurate diagnostic codes.

•    Ability to perform comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, formulate diagnoses, and create individualized treatment plans.

•    Strong crisis intervention skills, including suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and de‑escalation.

•    Proficiency in electronic health records (EHRs) and ability to complete documentation within required timeframes.

•    Knowledge of confidentiality standards, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

•    Understanding of community resources, social determinants of health, and referral processes.

•    Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively in a diverse, multicultural environment.

•    Demonstrated professionalism, ethical judgment, and ability to maintain appropriate boundaries.

•    Strong organizational and time‑management skills, including ability to manage caseload and meet deadlines.

•    Ability to comply with infection control and safety protocols, including PPE use and incident reporting.

•    BLS for Healthcare Providers required.

•    Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, if travel between sites is required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

•    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach.

•    Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.

•    Light to moderate lifting is required.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•    Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).

•    Ability to work in a confined area.

•    Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

•    Example: Ability to lift up to 25 pounds

Travel or Special Requirements:

Driving during the workday, as well as local or out-of-state travel, may be required to perform job duties.