Behavioral Health Counselor
At the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), we are creating a better state of care, for our communities and our team members at more than 150 locations across Maryland.
UMMS believes all team members are caregivers—and we support our caregivers so they can care for our patients. When you join UMMS, you become part of a highly reliable community of more than 27,000, where your experience is respected, your expertise is recognized, and your passion and curiosity are nurtured. A generous benefits package supports your physical, mental, and financial health through a paid time off plan, comprehensive health coverage, dependent care and tuition reimbursement, retirement plan, wellbeing services and more.
UMMS embraces a just culture where all team members are treated fairly and are empowered to communicate their goals and pursue their full career potential. We are guided by our shared values—compassion, discovery, excellence, diversity and integrity—and we are looking for talented individuals who will embrace those values and help us achieve our mission and vision.
UMMS has been recognized as a top employer nationally and most recently is a recipient of the Forbes’ 2023 America’s Best Large Employers award, as well as Newsweek’s 2023 America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women honors.
Behavioral Health Counselor
Job ID: REF33517V
Area of Interest: Allied Health
Location: Bel Air,MD US
Hours of Work: Day shift – three 12 hour shifts
Job Facility: University Of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health
Employment Type: Full Time
Shift: Day
The Klein Family Harford Crisis Center (KFHCC) is a comprehensive, trauma-informed behavioral health hub that uses innovative evidence-based modalities to serve our community. The KFHCC was created with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations in mind in order to ameliorate the behavioral health crisis currently being experienced in Harford County, Maryland. All aspects of crisis response behavioral healthcare are offered directly by the KFHCC. Specifically, an Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, an Outpatient Therapy/Psychiatry Clinic, and short-term Residential Crisis Beds are offered to those in need of behavioral health/substance use disorder care. In addition, targeted education is provided in the community with the goal of eliminating stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.
Behavioral Health Clinician II’s act as an extension of the psychiatric provider. Regardless of acute psychiatric treatment setting, the BHC, working in collaboration with the behavioral health team, medical team, and community stakeholders, is responsible for completing: Psychosocial assessments, developing treatment plans, monitoring patient progress towards treatment goals, and crisis de-escalation. Works independently to apply knowledge of diagnostic criteria to evaluate and recommend appropriate level of care for behavioral health patients.
One goal of all services facilitated by the BHC is to give psychiatric providers necessary information to finalize dispositions, as relevant to patient needs. BHC II’s work with diverse populations, age groups, and diagnoses. Serves as primary educator on topics of mental illness/mental health to patients and/or family members. Responsible for facilitating patient-centered, trauma-informed brief individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy within the acute care setting, when indicated. Initiates coordination of discharge and aftercare services, as needed.
Master’s Degree in Human Services (i.e., Social Work, Professional Counseling, etc.) required. Licensed as an LCSW-C or LCPC in the state of Maryland required.
Demonstrate knowledge/skills of behavioral health clinical practice in a variety of settings: a.) Completing psychosocial assessments; b) provision of trauma-informed individual, group, and family therapy services; c.) developing and implementing discharge and aftercare plans; d) coordinating services for patient/family with community providers including knowledge of community resources, Medicare/Medicaid and commercial insurances; e.) knowledge of state and federal regulations as it pertains to scope of clinical practice in multiple settings; f.) effective critical thinking; g.) professional and effective written and verbal communication; h.)
prioritize work assignments and manage time effectively to complete duties; and i.) work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to a) communicate and collaborate effectively with both internal and external partners (i.e., behavioral health team, medical team, community stakeholders and patients/families); b) assess, adapt, and calmly respond to changing and/or crisis environment; c) make independent decisions consistent with current policies, procedures, health care and ethical standards; and d) be available to adapt hours to meet the needs of partners.