Behavioral Health Counselor MS

IU Health•Indianapolis, IN

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Counselor MS facilitates patient involvement in treatment and education within a multidisciplinary care environment. The role encompasses individual, group, and family counseling, along with clinical functions related to utilization review and discharge planning. The counselor collaborates with healthcare team members to ensure patients receive safe, timely services, and that patients and families are provided with necessary resources and education. The position also involves assessing complex psychosocial needs and serving as a liaison in cases of abuse, neglect, guardianship, foster care, and mental health placements.

Requirements

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health field such as Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related discipline.
0-3 years in healthcare, mental health, or community-based settings preferred.
License-eligible in Indiana as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or LCAC. Must have a minimum of a permanent LSW, LMHC-A, or LMFT-A upon hire.
Certification in Crisis Intervention or de-escalation techniques may be required or preferred.
BLS certification may be required.
Knowledge of psychosocial assessment, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention.
Understanding of the impact of disease processes and human behavior.
Familiarity with Evidence-Based Practices (CBT, MI, DBT).
Knowledge of legal mandates related to child and adult protective services.
Principles of growth and development across the lifespan.
Ability to maintain a safe, therapeutic environment.
Proficiency in Electronic Medical Record systems and MS Office applications.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop collaborative relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and healthcare teams.

Responsibilities

Facilitate face-to-face engagement with patients, providing psychosocial assessments, counseling, and therapeutic interventions.
Perform functions related to utilization review, discharge planning, and care coordination.
Communicate and collaborate effectively with all members of the healthcare team to ensure safe and efficient patient care.
Assess patients’ and families’ psychosocial risk factors, reactions to illness, and coping mechanisms.
Counsel patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial impacts of illness or disability.
Access and mobilize community and family resources to meet patient needs.
Conduct mental health assessments upon physician referral.
Provide therapeutic intervention to support complex discharge planning.
Serve as the primary point person for cases involving child abuse/neglect, elder abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence; act as liaison with protective agencies.
Support guardianship, foster care, adoption, and mental health Level II placements.
Maintain principles and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation to ensure patient and staff safety.
Provide a safe and therapeutic environment, including instruction on daily activities and programming.
Develop and sustain strong working relationships with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, and other stakeholders.