Behavioral Health Counselor - MS Licensed-PRN

IU Health•Muncie, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Counselor facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary setting. This role involves individual, group, and family counseling, discharge planning, utilization review, and crisis intervention. The counselor collaborates closely with healthcare teams, community agencies, and protective services to ensure patients receive safe, timely, and resource-rich care. The position also includes managing complex cases such as abuse, neglect, guardianship, and high-risk crises, with a focus on de-escalation and safety.

Requirements

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.
3-5 years of relevant healthcare, mental health, or community-based experience.
Current Indiana license as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, LCAC, or HSPP required.
Certification in crisis intervention may be required.
BLS certification may be required.
Knowledge of psychosocial assessments, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention techniques.
Understanding of disease processes and human behavior in health-related social needs.
Proficiency in evidence-based practices such as CBT, MI, and DBT.
Knowledge of state and county legal mandates for child and adult protective services.
Strong understanding of growth and development principles across the lifespan.
Ability to maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation.
Ability to create a safe, therapeutic environment and instruct patients in daily activities.
Basic proficiency in Electronic Medical Records and MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Ability to develop and sustain collaborative relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare teams.

Responsibilities

Facilitate patient involvement in treatment, education, and recovery through individual, group, and family counseling.
Conduct psychosocial assessments evaluating prior functioning, support systems, reactions to illness, and coping strategies.
Provide mental health assessments upon physician referral and deliver therapeutic interventions, including crisis and community resource referrals.
Support complex discharge planning, including guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health placements.
Serve as the primary point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, adult/elderly abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
Act as liaison between IU Health, protective teams, law enforcement, and community agencies.
Respond to dangerous or potentially dangerous situations with clinical intervention and de-escalation techniques.
Support patients in acute crises, utilizing de-escalation skills to prevent violence.
Assist with decision-making and goals of care conversations to optimize patient outcomes.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and social services.
Document assessments and interventions accurately in the electronic medical record system.