Behavioral Health Counselor
Sanford Health
Summary
The 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 Behavioral Health Counselor assesses patient needs, may diagnose disorders, develops treatment plans, and implements treatment interventions specific to patient needs. Continually assesses patient's progress and revises treatment plans and interventions accordingly. Documents treatment sessions. Provides patient progress updates to interdisciplinary team, as needed. May educate patient support members about patient issues and interventions. May refer for additional clinical services or to specialists, as needed. Must stay current on emerging issues in the profession.
In a hospital setting, the Behavioral Health Counselor may have a broad scope of duties, depending upon assignment. Hospital assignments include psychiatric inpatient treatment and/or specific hospital units. Depending on location, may place patients on mental health and substance-related holds. Psychiatric inpatient treatment duties include development, implementation, and evaluation of therapy programs, individual and family counseling, and consultative services to attending psychiatrist. Hospital unit duties include crisis intervention, assessment, and referral.
Requirements
- Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related Behavioral Health Sciences required
- Graduation from an accredited school preferred
- License must be in good standing in state(s) of practice
- In South Dakota, must have one of the following: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health (LPC-MH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Certified Social Worker (CSW), Certified Social Worker - Private or Independent Practice (CSW-PIP)
Company overview
Sanford Health is one of the largest integrated healthcare delivery systems in the United States, operating as a nonprofit organization headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Founded in 1894, the organization has grown into a comprehensive health system with 44 medical centers, 482 clinics, and more than 200 senior living facilities across 26 states and nine countries. Sanford Health provides a full spectrum of healthcare services including acute care hospitals, specialty clinics, senior care through the Good Samaritan Society, genomic medicine, global clinics, and the Sanford Health Plan insurance program. The system employs over 48,000 healthcare professionals including 1,400 physicians and delivers care through five Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Children's, Heart, Orthopedics/Sports Medicine, and Women's Health. Annually, Sanford Health handles approximately 5.3 million outpatient visits, 84,000 admissions, and 136,000 surgeries. The organization is also actively involved in medical research and education through partnerships with academic institutions, positioning itself as a regional healthcare leader in the Midwest with expanding international presence.