Mental Health Counselor

Established in 1980, the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) is a multi-site mission-driven non-profit organization employing over 700 staff whose primary focus is providing the highest quality patient care to residents throughout the Merrimack Valley. Nationally recognized as a leader in community medicine (family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine, and geriatrics), GLFHC has clinical sites throughout the service area and is the sponsoring organization for the Lawrence Family Medicine Residency program.

The GLFHC Behavioral Health Team is currently seeking an experienced Mental Health Counselor.   Under the supervision of a LICSW, works collaboratively with all members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, provides consultation to the clinical site team and provides individual and group counseling to GLFHC patients referred by primary care clinicians  

Scope of Duties:

• Serves as liaison between patients, family member and health care team. Helps to educate patients and their family about patients’ behavioral health treatment. Explains treatment in a clear, concise manner, with sensitivity to patients’ level of understanding, culture, age and language. Documents all teaching materials given to the patients, or family members including their response, comprehension and need for further follow-up.
• Upon referral from the care team, reviews the patient’s biopsychosocial history, and completes the assessment and care plan. Maintains accurate and timely records according to policy.
• Provides short term individual, group and family intervention. Collaborates with community behavioral health providers in the coordination of behavioral health care.
• Develops and facilitates support groups as determined by patient/client need, interest and team member recommendation.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Is able to identify and categorize each patient’s age specific grouping of needs. This may include children, couples, families, and adults.
• Collaborates with GLFHC clinical staff and administration to develop and maintain referral resources throughout service area. Refers patients to services within GLFHC and to other community agencies.
• Develops working relationship with leaders and community agencies, representing GLFHC at meetings as indicated.
• Demonstrates clinical competence and professional commitment by adhering to established standards of practice and utilizing appropriate scientific principles.
• Develops and maintains systems for patient educational materials and staff.
• On a regular basis participates in ongoing quality improvement activities related to individual, team, and organizational performance improvement.
• Travel between sites required.
• Collaborates with designated behavioral health professionals for patient care and regular case review.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from an accredited program.
• Bilingual, English and Spanish.
• BLS Certification.
• Massachusetts Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) certification.

GLFHC offers a great environment, comprehensive benefit package, growth opportunities and tuition reimbursement.