Behavioral Health Consultant Counselor in Medical Clinic

Compensation:

• Exempt/Salary
• The standard wage range for this role is $82056 to $99715 per year
• It may be possible to earn more over time up to $117395 per year

Work Schedule:

• 40 hours per week
• Monday-Friday
• Day shifts only

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

Job Summary

We believe both physical and emotional health are important for overall health and wellness. The Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model embeds Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) into primary care teams to provide immediate brief population-focused behavioral health care. Unlike traditional outpatient therapy PCBH emphasizes same-day access short visits and close collaboration with medical providers.

The BH Consultant is responsible for improving patient health and increasing well-being through small behavioral changes. This role uses evidence-based interventions during brief consults in a fast-paced medical clinic environment emphasizing a patient-centered trauma-informed approach. We are happy to provide on-the-job training and education to support the transition from traditional counseling to working within an episodic model of care such as this. Job duties include the following:

1. Practices Clinical and Clinical Care Management Skills:

a. Uses a generalist approach to care that encourages high volumes of patient contact.

b. Uses appropriate assessment tools for Primary Care to assist with diagnostic clarification.

c. Limits assessment focus to one referral problem to promote small changes in many patients.

d. Conducts brief life context interview and functional analysis of target problem combining information to create effective self-management and home-based practices interventions.

e. Assesses patient confidence and motivation in behavior change plan.

f. Ensures follow-up appointments are focused on behavior change plan.

g. Provides groups or classes for a variety of problems.

h. Assists with high utilizers of medical care.

i. Uses 30-minute visits efficiently.

j. Completes treatment episode when improvements noted and plan is clear.

k. Uses continuity visits and engages in flexible patient contact strategies.

l. Appropriately triages and refers patients to groups classes or specialty BH services within and outside of UCNW.

m. Provides basic case management strategies or refers appropriately to case management.

2. Performs Consultation:

a. Focuses on and responds to referral questions from providers.

b. Conducts brief and effective curbside consultation to the work pace of primary care.

c. Describes interventions in transparent language to encourage primary care team support.

d. Focuses on recommendations that reduce medical visits and medical provider/registered nurse (RN) workload.

e. Provides education and presentations to care team members.

f. Researches questions about BH interventions.

g. Assertively follows-up with Primary Care Providers (PCPs) as needed.

h. Participates in development and implementation of workflows in collaboration with medical care teams.

3. Clearly documents chart notes:

a. Writes clear concise chart notes in a timely manner.

b. Gives feedback to PCP/RN within UCNW requirements and patient need.

Chart notes are consistent with treatment plan and supports medical and BH treatment within standards.

What We Offer

• A friendly & team-based culture
• Clinical supervision for all therapists
• Opportunities for 1-on-1 & group collaboration with Medical Providers Care Team members Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners & other Behavioral Health staff
• A competitive compensation package
• A salaried position without the overhead duties & 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 ()) and/or the Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps WSAC)

Generous benefits including:

• Medical dental & vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Generous paid time off of 160 hours accrued in Year 1 gradually increasing to 248 hours per year over 10 years
• Other paid leaves for Bereavement Jury Duty & Bone Marrow/Organ Donation
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Variety of optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D Short Term and Long Term Disability Critical Illness Accident and Travel as well as Identity Theft Protection
• Self-funded Health Savings Account on Base Medical Insurance Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative transportation incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursement
• Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans Employee Referral Bonuses & Will preparation services
• Continuing Education days/dollars
• Reimbursement of WA State license renewal fees

• Licensed in Washington State as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) or Psychologist (or be eligible to obtain an independent license in Washington)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification (we can provide this upon start if not currently certified)
• 2 years direct clinical experience preferably in community health or community mental health

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized training and/or experience in the principles of integrating behavioral health assessment and treatment in the primary care setting.
• Demonstrated competency and experience in providing clinical services using behavioral medicine techniques (e.g. chronic diseases management weight management tobacco cessation stress management etc.)
• Experience working with screening tools evidence-based counseling techniques brief treatment (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Motivational Interviewing (MI) crisis intervention complex and chronic mental illness and substance abuse in a multi-disciplinary team setting.
• Skilled with formulating behavioral health interventions appropriate to primary care setting and assisting with implementation of primary care treatment plans.
• Experience working with patients who have co-occurring mental health substance abuse and physical health problems.
• Working general knowledge of psychopharmacology.
• Knowledge of general medical practice models and processes such as office procedures medical records health insurance etc.
• Knowledge of clinical data collection and analysis strategies.
• Skilled in contextual assessments consultation with primary care team/behavioral health team and report writing.
• Skilled in treatment group organization and facilitation as well as teaching/facilitating psycho-educational groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in crisis situations as well as collaborate effectively in a team setting.
• Knowledge of the assessment and treatment of the full range of behavioral health conditions.
• Knowledge of the local community and private mental health and human services resources preferred.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues including prevention medications and psychosocial aspects preferred.
• Possesses BH clinical skills including but not limited to: mental health assessments screening and referrals; direct individual therapy/crisis intervention; organization and facilitation of psycho-educational and support groups; case management outreach pharmacological management; documentation of assessments and progress notes
• Must be able to follow all UCNW protocols including those related to clinic administration patient care and completion of timely chart notes
• Keyboarding speed of 30 wpm and data entry skills for charting; accuracy is essential.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook Word Excel & PowerPoint as well as telehealth software.
• Ability to learn and use our Electronic Health Record system payroll system instant messaging software & online training systems.

Candidates who meet the 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 90000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. Enjoy all the area has to offer:

• Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking Biking Skiing Snow oarding 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)

To Apply

Visit our Careers Page at or contact Vicki Curtis Provider Recruiter at or . For news on our organization & future job postings please follow us on LinkedIn at you feel this job posting is missing any required compensation or benefit information please contact Other questions can be addressed throughout the recruitment process for candidates selected to move forward.

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees to have up to date vaccines for Covid-19 and influenza. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.