Behavioral Health Counselor

Behavioral Health Counselor – Correctional Setting

6–7 Month CONTRACT Position

We are seeking a compassionate, dependable, and motivated Behavioral Health Counselor to join our multidisciplinary healthcare team in a county jail/correctional setting. This is a 6–7 month CONTRACT POSITION and an excellent opportunity for a behavioral health professional interested in gaining valuable experience working with a diverse and challenging population.

The Behavioral Health Counselor will provide mental health services to individuals experiencing a wide range of behavioral health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, serious mental illness, adjustment to incarceration, crisis situations, and suicidal ideation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral health screenings, assessments, and follow-up appointments.

• Provide brief supportive counseling and therapeutic interventions.

• Assess patients experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm concerns, emotional distress, or other behavioral health crises.

• Participate in suicide prevention, monitoring, and follow-up procedures.

• Develop and update individualized treatment plans as appropriate.

• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation when needed.

• Identify patients who may benefit from psychiatric evaluation and coordinate referrals with the psychiatric provider.

• Collaborate with medical, nursing, behavioral health, classification, and correctional staff to promote continuity of care and patient safety.

• Assist with discharge planning and referrals to community behavioral health and substance use resources.

• Maintain timely, accurate, thorough, and professional clinical documentation in the electronic health record.

• Maintain appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries within a correctional environment.

• Follow facility policies, applicable professional standards, and confidentiality requirements.

• Participate in behavioral health team meetings, case consultations, and other assigned clinical duties.

Minimum Qualifications

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree or higher in:

• Social Work

• Psychology

• Counseling

• Human Services/Behavioral Health

• Or a closely related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field.

• Previous experience in mental health, crisis intervention, substance use treatment, case management, or social services.

• Experience working in a jail, prison, detention center, residential treatment program, inpatient setting, or other structured environment is preferred but not required.

• Knowledge of suicide prevention, mental health disorders, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention.

• Strong assessment, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.

• Ability to remain calm, professional, and clinically objective in challenging situations.

Professional licensure is welcomed but is not required unless otherwise specified for the position.

Position Details

Position: Behavioral Health Counselor
Setting: County Jail / Correctional Healthcare
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Length: Approximately 6–7 months
Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field
Experience: Behavioral health experience preferred; correctional experience is a plus.