Associate Behavioral Health Counselor

10000 Sanford; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanford Health in Minnesota seeks an Associate Behavioral Health Counselor to provide crisis intervention and stabilization within the Crisis Center's EmPATH Unit. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to assess risk, deliver counseling, and coordinate care for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

The role emphasizes trauma‑informed care, patient safety, and collaborative care planning while offering supervision, mentorship, and clinical growth opportunities in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in behavioral sciences or related field; practicum/internship completed.
• Minnesota State statute defines Mental Health Practitioner.
• 4,000 hours supervised experience or 2,000 hours with 30 sem/45 quarter hours in behavioral services.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization for behavioral health emergencies.
• Monitor safety, document changes, and communicate concerns to the treatment team.
• Offer supportive counseling, skills coaching, and trauma-informed de-escalation.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate psychoeducational and skills-based groups.
• Maintain a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment that supports recovery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team on treatment planning and transitions.
• Assist with referrals, discharge planning, and linkages to community resources.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation per organizational standards.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Strong communication

Emotional regulation support

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in behavioral sciences or related field

Completion of practicum or internship

Minnesota State statute compliance for Mental Health Practitioner

Job description

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. Work Shift: 8 Hours - Evening Shifts (United States of America) Scheduled Weekly Hours: 32 Compensation: Salary Range: $23.00 - $36.00 Union Position: No Department Details Sanford Behavioral Health is committed to investing in its employees through ongoing training, professional development, and evidence-based practice education. Whether you are early in your career or seeking leadership opportunities, there are pathways to help you grow and advance professionally. Our team members receive supportive supervision, mentorship, and guidance from experienced professionals who are committed to helping them succeed. This collaborative environment fosters learning, skill development, and confidence in providing high-quality care. If you are looking for a career with purpose, opportunities for growth, ongoing training, and strong supervision, Sanford Behavioral Health offers a rewarding environment where you can make a difference while building your future.

Summary

The Associate Behavioral Health Counselor requires a broad, yet solid, understanding of human behavior and theories of counseling. May work with a wide range of patient populations and presenting issues, requiring a foundation in a variety of treatment modalities. This role is a team-based role where responsibility for patient well-being is diffused among the treatment team and the overall responsibility lies with a clinical supervisor or admitting provider.

Job Description

The Associate Behavioral Health Counselor (ABHC) provides crisis intervention, stabilization, and support services to individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies within the Crisis Center's EmPATH Unit. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the ABHC assists with crisis assessment, safety monitoring, therapeutic interventions, group facilitation, and care coordination in a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented environment. The role promotes emotional stabilization, builds coping skills, supports treatment goals, and helps connect individuals to ongoing services while contributing to a safe, respectful, and therapeutic milieu.

Essential Responsibilities

• Support crisis assessment, intervention, and stabilization for individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies.
• Monitor safety, observe and document behavioral changes, and communicate concerns to the treatment team.
• Provide supportive counseling, skills coaching, emotional regulation support, and crisis de-escalation.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate psychoeducational and skills-based groups.
• Maintain a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment that promotes recovery and dignity.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members on treatment planning, care coordination, and transitions of care.
• Assist with referrals, discharge planning, and connections to community resources.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation in accordance with organizational standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of behavioral health conditions, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care.
• Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build therapeutic rapport and remain calm in high-stress situations.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Understanding of recovery-oriented, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practices.
• Ability to facilitate psychoeducational and skills-based groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in behavioral sciences or related field preferred, and completion of a practicum or internship.
• In Minnesota, must follow Minnesota State statute defining Mental Health Practitioner.
• At least 4,000 hours of supervised experience in the delivery of services to persons with: mental illness, substance use disorders or emotional disturbances, traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities, OR, Has at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in behavioral sciences or related fields and at least 2,000 hours of supervised work experience in the delivery of services to persons with: mental illness, substance use disorders or emotional disturbances, traumatic brain injury or developmental disabilities.

Sanford is an EEO/AA Employer M/F/Disability/Vet. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-877-949-5678 or send an email to [e-mail].

The Sanford organization owns and manages multiple distinct brands, including Sanford Health, Marshfield Clinic, and Good Samaritan, as well as Lewis Drug, Sanford Health Equip, Solutions by Sanford, Great Shots, and Blue Rock Bar & Grill. Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world‑class health care in America’s heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization has 53,000 employees and serves over 2 million patients and nearly 425,000 health plan members across the upper Midwest including South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The integrated nonprofit health system includes a network of 56 hospitals, 288 clinic locations, 147 senior care communities, 4,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 1,500 active clinical trials and studies. The organization’s transformational virtual care initiative brings patients closer to care with access to 78 specialties. Learn more about Sanford Health’s commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

Good Samaritan, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of senior care and services, is committed to transforming the aging experience through innovation, compassion and personalized care. As part of Sanford Health, an integrated nonprofit health system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Good Samaritan serves 10,000 seniors and offers access to a full continuum of care, including 94 rehabilitation and skilled nursing centers, 56 assisted living and memory care facilities, 44 independent living locations and 37 home health and hospice agencies. The senior care provider delivers services across the upper Midwest, with 70% of residents living in rural communities. Learn more about Good Samaritan’s mission and commitment to delivering high quality senior care in rural America at good-sam.com.