ADMISSIONS / PROGRAM COUNSELOR LICENSED THERAPIST

PREFERRED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OF NEW JERSEY; Lakewood Township (NJ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

Disability and Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Voluntary Benefits (Vision, Aflac, Pet

Employee Referral Bonus program

Job summary

Preferred Behavioral Health Group is hiring an Admissions/Program Counselor to perform biopsychosocial assessments for adults seeking outpatient mental health services. You will collaborate with Clinical Director to assign clients to clinicians and provide referrals when appropriate.

Qualifications include a Master’s degree in a mental health field and NJ licensure (LSW, LAC, LAMFT, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT). A commitment to trauma‑informed care and crisis intervention is essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, or another recognized mental health discipline.
• NJ licensure as LSW, LAC, LAMFT, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
• Experience working with adults with a wide range of emotional and behavioral needs.
• CPR/First Aid certification required.

Responsibilities

• Review referrals and schedule intake appointments within 24 hours.
• Perform comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and provisional diagnoses.
• Admit or refer clients to programs or external providers as needed.
• Maintain medical records with timely documentation and referrals.
• Provide crisis intervention during intake and manage a small caseload.
• Complete third‑party billing documentation and caseload reports.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic groups and individual service plans.

Education

Master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, or another recognized mental health discipline

Job description

ADMISSIONS / PROGRAM COUNSELOR LICENSED THERAPIST

About this position

If you are looking to make an impact by helping others, then Preferred Behavioral Health Group is the place for you! By joining our award-winning team, you will become part of the premier behavioral health organization in New Jersey. PBHG is a dynamic and innovative non-profit organization that was proudly named one of "THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN NEW JERSEY" for 2024 and 2025 by NJBIZ! Our mission is to change lives and save lives across the state of New Jerseythrough a Trauma Informed Care culture.

Our staff is at the core of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a diverse team where employees feel a sense of belonging and are valued for their individual contributions. We encourage staff development and embrace a growth mindset. If you are interested in pursuing an exciting and rewarding career while being part of a recognized “Best Place to Work”, please submit your resume today!

Job Title: Admissions/Program Counselor

Program: IOTSS / Partial Care

Position Type: Full Time

Location: 725 Airport Road, Lakewood New Jersey 08701

Job Description/Summary

Performs comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments on adults 18+ seeking outpatient mental health services. Collaborates with Clinical Director and Program Director regarding the assignment of clients to clinical staff. Provides referrals outside the department when appropriate.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

• Review incoming referrals, process within 24 hours of receipt, and coordinate and schedule intake appointments in a timely manner.
• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and formulate diagnosis:
  • Diagnosis is congruent with assessment content, and assessments completed in compliance with organization policy.
  • Written assessments include MSE, provisional diagnosis, risk category, level of compliance and preliminary treatment plan with recommendations for ongoing treatment.
  • Demonstrates familiarity about psychotropic medication use, side effects, and indications for psychiatric intervention.
• Admits/Refers clients to agency program(s) or external service providers according to current needs and/or clinical recommendation:
  • Recommendations include identification of special treatment needs or referral of high-risk clients.
  • Collaborates with Clinical Director and Program Director regarding the assignment of clients to clinical staff.
• Complete medical record documentation:
  • Medical record documentation will comply with organization policy
  • Records will reflect client contact within required time frames
  • Records will reflect referrals for separate assessments as per policy
  • Problem List will reflect current integration of client needs
• Provide crisis intervention support when clients present in crisis during intake appointments or when presenting symptomology indicates a need for immediate clinical response
• Adheres to appointment and office assignment schedule
• Manages a small caseload and provides coverage for clinicians as operational needs allow (IOTSS)
• Completes all necessary third-party billing documentation;
• Ensures accuracy of caseload reports;
• Participates in supervision and attends staff meetings as directed;
• Is available for evaluations, examinations and court appearances as necessary to protect the interest of the client and of PBH, for a negotiated fee;
• Completes all Individual Service Plans with Adult Partial Care clients.
• Plans and facilitates therapeutic groups and activities, which involve psycho- education, medication education, nutrition, group counseling, behavior management, community meetings, coping skills, pre-vocational skills, socialskills, daily living skills, leisure activities, and alcohol/drug education, support groups as needed.
• Have primary responsibility for service coordination, provision or arrangement of services needed, personal advocacy, and development, review and updating of individual treatment and service plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Must maintain required CPR/First Aid certification.

Demonstrates computer proficiency as required by job function and duties.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, or another recognized mental health discipline

Licensure: NJ licensure as LSW, LAC, LAMFT, LCSW, LPC, or LMFT

Experience: Working with adults with a wide range of emotional and behavioral needs

o Medical and Dental Insurance

o 403(b) Retirement Plan

o Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays

o Disability and Life Insurance

o Employee Assistance Program

o Voluntary Benefits, such as Vision Insurance, Aflac, Pet Insurance

o Training opportunities

o Employee Referral Bonus program

eoe