Behavioral Health Counselor Chemical Dependency

Trinity Health; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center seeks a licensed behavioral health counselor to provide therapeutic counseling for behavioral health patients and conduct assessments in alignment with our mission and values.

The role includes one-on-one and group therapy, discharge planning, and active family involvement within an interdisciplinary team. Minimum qualifications include CADC within 1 year and NVCI training within 6 months, with 3+ years of therapy experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, counseling, psychology, or related field required.
• CADC certification within 1 year of employment if working in chemical dependency.
• NVCI training within 6 months of hire.
• 3+ years experience with individual and group therapy preferred.
• Knowledge of DSM‑IV and ability to reference it.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people and handle challenging behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Conducts assessments of behavioral health patients.
• Formulates treatment plans and documents individualized patient issues.
• Provides therapy through one-on-one interviews and daily group sessions.
• Documents patient participation, response to therapy, and identified issues.
• Plans discharge and after-care with one-on-one family involvement.
• Communicates discharge plans to interdisciplinary treatment team and refers as needed.

Education

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

CADC certification within 1 year of employment

NVCI training within 6 months of hire

3+ years experience with individual and group therapy

Ability to reference DSM‑IV

Ability to work with aggressive customers

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.

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.