Behavioral Health Counselor MS

Indiana University Health System; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Health is hiring a Behavioral Health Counselor (MS) for an inpatient unit at Bloomington Hospital. The role involves psychosocial assessment, individual/group/family counseling, and discharge planning within a 24-bed adult unit.

The counselor will collaborate with psychiatry, nursing, therapy teams, and care management to support patient stabilization and recovery, handling crises and complex social needs with evidence-based practices.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a mental health field required.
• License eligible in Indiana as LCSW/LMHC/LMFT/LCAC; permanent LSW/LMHC-A/LMFT-A upon hire.
• 0–3 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of CBT, MI, DBT.
• BLS certification may be required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates patient involvement in the treatment milieu.
• Provides individual, group, and family counseling.
• Assists with utilization review and discharge planning.
• Collaborates with the health care team to ensure safe and timely care.
• Assesses psychosocial risk factors and plans accordingly.
• Counsels patients and families on emotional, social, and financial aspects of illness.
• Connects with family/community resources to meet needs.
• Provides mental health assessments on physician referral.
• Supports complex discharge planning.
• Acts as liaison with child/adult protective services.
• Manages guardianship, foster care, and related placements.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Crisis intervention

CBT/MI/DBT knowledge

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Discharge planning

Family engagement

Communication

Education and counseling

Education

Master's degree in mental health field

Tools

EMR systems

MS Office Suite

Job description

Position Title: Behavioral Health Counselor MS

Location: Bloomington Hospital, Bloomington, IN

Shift: Full-Time Day

Position Overview:

The Counselor – Behavioral Health (MS) serves as a clinical member of the interdisciplinary treatment team on a 24-bed adult acute inpatient behavioral health unit. In collaboration with psychiatry, nursing, recreational therapy, music therapy, care management, and other disciplines, the Social Worker-MSW provides psychosocial assessment, therapeutic intervention, care coordination, family engagement, and discharge planning services to support patient stabilization, recovery, and continuity of care. This role specializes in serving individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms, substance use disorders, behavioral health crises, and complex psychosocial needs. Top candidates need to be able to work independently, be highly organized and efficient with tasks, be a creative problem-solver, and communicate effectively with the entire team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitates patient involvement in the milieu of treatment and education.
• Performs functions of individual, group, and family counseling.
• Performs all functions related to utilization review and discharge planning.
• Communicates and collaborates with all members of the health care team to facilitate the episode of care so the patient receives services in a safe and timely manner, and the patient and family are provided all necessary resources and education.
• Interprets and communicates complex patient/family needs and role models caring practices to other caregivers.
• Assesses patients' and families' psychosocial risk factors through evaluation of prior functioning levels, appropriateness and adequacy of support systems, reaction to illness, and ability to cope.
• Counsels patients and families regarding emotional, social, and financial consequences of illness and/or disability.
• Accesses and mobilizes family/community resources to meet identified needs.
• Provides mental health assessments of patients upon physician referral.
• Provides therapeutic intervention to facilitate complex discharge planning.
• Serves as the point person in child abuse/neglect, adult/elderly abuse/neglect, institutional abuse, and domestic violence.
• Serves as liaison between Indiana University Health and state and county child and adult protective teams.
• Provides intervention in guardianship (temporary/permanent), foster care, adoption, and mental health level II placements.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in a mental health field such as Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field is required.
• Requires 0-3 years of relevant experience.
• Requires license eligible in the state of Indiana as an LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or LCAC. Must have a minimum of a permanent LSW, LMHC-A, or LMFT-A upon hire.
• Certification in crisis intervention may be required.
• BLS certification may be required.
• Requires relevant health care, mental health, or community-based experience. Requires knowledge of the impact of the disease process and of human behavior to provide psychosocial assessments, therapeutic counseling, and crisis intervention to patients, families, and staff.
• Requires knowledge and implementation of relevant Evidence-Based Practices (CBT, MI, DBT).
• Requires knowledge of state and county adult and child protective legal mandates.
• Requires knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span.
• Requires the ability to maintain principles, practices, and techniques of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Requires the ability to provide a safe and therapeutic environment, including instruction of daily activities and programming.
• Requires basic proficiency in Electronic Medical Record and MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Requires the ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with the community, medical teams, law enforcement, APS/CPS, schools, probation, and other agencies as indicated.

Why IU Health?

Join Indiana's leading healthcare system committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. We offer opportunities for professional development, a collaborative team environment, and a focus on improving community health.

Benefits Designed for You