Behavioral Health Counselor Chemical Dependency

MercyOne Medical Group; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center in Waterloo, IA seeks a Full-time Behavioral Health Counselor to deliver therapeutic counseling to the behavioral health population. The role includes conducting assessments, formulating treatment plans, and documenting patient progress within MercyOne’s mission and values.

You will lead individual and group therapy sessions, engage families, and coordinate discharge planning with the treatment team to ensure seamless aftercare and ongoing support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, or related field.
• CADC certification within 1 year of employment if working in Chemical dependency; BLS.
• NVCI training within 6 months of hire; strong communication and assessment skills.
• Minimum 3 years experience with individual and group therapy preferred; ability to work with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Provides therapeutic counseling to behavioral health population.
• Conducts assessments and interviews to assess patient needs.
• Formulates treatment plans and documents issues.
• Provides daily group therapy sessions and individual therapy as needed.
• Plans for discharge and after-care with families and interdisciplinary team.

Skills

Therapeutic counseling

Assessment interviews

Group therapy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, or related field

CADC certification within 1 year of employment (if working in Chemical dependency)

NVCI training within 6 months of hire

Minimum 3 years experience with individual and group therapy preferred

Tools

DSM-IV reference

Job description

Employment Type:Full timeShift:Day ShiftDescription:MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center
Full-Time Day Shift (80 Hours Biweekly)
BA degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, or related field required.

POSITION PURPOSE

Provides therapeutic counseling to behavioral health population. Adheres to MercyOne’s performance expectations and performs all defined services and other related duties in accordance with the mission, vision and values of MercyOne.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conducts assessments.

• Interviews patient one-on-one to assess patient needs.
• Formulates treatment plan with documentation of individualized patient issues.

Completes social histories.

• Gathers data from patients and families/concerned persons related to patient’s past and present symptoms and behaviors.
• Dictates social history for patient’s chart.
• Gathers information from resources including past inpatient charts and contacts in physician’s offices.

Provides therapy based on identified patient needs.

• Conducts one-on-one interviews with patient using various therapy techniques.
• Conducts daily group sessions based on patient’s treatment plan.
• Documents patient’s participation and response to therapy, and any identified issues.

Plans for discharge and after-care.

• Meets one-on-one with patients and families to individualize discharge plan and after-care.
• Communicates recommended follow-up treatment to interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Uses knowledge of referral agencies to facilitate continued treatment or placement.

Involves families in all aspects of treatment.

• Communicates one-on-one with family members/concerned persons.
• Maintains open communication within confidentiality guidelines.
• Educates family on the disease concept.
• Involves family/concerned others in discharge planning.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, or other related field.
• Must be CADC certified within 1 year of employment if working in Chemical dependency. BLS. Mandatory Reporter.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI) within 6 months of hire. Minimum of 3 years experience with individual and group therapy preferred. High language, basic math, high reasoning ability.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people, basic understanding of and ability to reference DSM-IV.
• Ability to work with aggressive customers.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.