Compensation:

• Exempt/Salary
• New hires are placed on our starting wage scale of $77,000 - $94,000 per year
• Based on performance, there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $77,000 - $110,900 per year

Sign-on/Relocation Bonus of $5,000 (subject to payback clause)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Who We Are

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing almost 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.

Job Summary

We believe mental & emotional health is an important part of overall health and wellness. Our behavioral health program works closely with patients and their Primary Care Providers to help them meet their health care goals. As the Specialty Behavioral Health (SBH) Counselor Lead, you would provide ongoing/episodic mental health treatment for a caseload of patients while supporting the Specialty BH Supervisor in providing clinical supervision/support for Specialty BH providers. A summary of duties includes:

1. Provide leadership and direction to assigned employees.

2. Maintain and treat a caseload of patients engaged in primary care at Unity Care NW.

3. Provide mental health counseling or psychotherapy.

4. Document all patient contact and coordination of care.

5. Collaborate and communicate effectively with all UCNW treatment teams and community resources/agencies as appropriate in treatment.

6. Support the Specialty BH Supervisor and provide support for the Specialty BH team and interns including internship development, supervision, and employee training.

Learn more about the SBH Counselor role by viewing a video at https://youtu.be/NPYHfSLvIO4!

What We Offer

• A salaried position in a collegial work environment without the overhead and cost of running your own private practice
• Outpatient clinic only with no call
• In-house case management
• Ongoing, in-house leadership training
• 1-on-1 executive coaching with our Organizational Development Specialist

Generous benefits including:

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Generous paid time off of 160 hours accrued in Year 1, 208 hours accrued in Years 2 through 4, & 228 hours accrued starting in Year 5
• Other paid leaves for Bereavement, Jury Duty, Bone Marrow/Organ Donation & Severe Weather Pay
• Continuing Education days/dollars & reimbursement of WA State license renewal fees
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Variety of optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, and Travel as well as Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative transportation incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursement
• Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans, Employee Referral Bonus, Will preparation services & a gym discount
• Employment that counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness – details can be viewed at Federal Student Aid
• Eligible providers may apply for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC Loan Repayment Program | NHSC (hrsa.gov) & the Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps | WSAC)

• 
  Independent license as a Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist or Psychologist in Washington State (or be eligible to obtain an independent license in Washington)
• Mental Health Professional (MHP) acknowledgment or have the qualifications to be acknowledged as an MHP by the WA State Department of Health (details can be viewed at https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/611014.pdf)
• 2 years’ direct clinical experience, preferably in community health or community mental health

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising and mentoring employees, including experience as &/or eligibility for Approved Clinical Supervisor status as defined per WAC 246-809-234 (details can be viewed at WAC 246-809-234:
• Knowledge of state Medicaid mental health system functions, requirements, and changes, or proven ability to gain this knowledge
• Demonstrated success in working with and relating to individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds & socio-economic levels, treating them with sensitivity & respect
• Skills in support group organization & facilitation
• Self-directed & organized with skills in problem solving & analysis

Candidates who meet the requirements who have applicable experience or similar qualifications are encouraged to apply!

About Bellingham

Live in a community consistently rated as one of the most desirable in the USA! Nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Bellingham is home to over 90,000 people and surrounded by several charming small towns. Enjoy all the area has to offer:

• Recreational & Outdoor Activities (Hiking, Biking, Skiing, Snow Boarding, Fishing, Sailing, Kayaking, & Camping)
• Excellent Schools (University, Community College, Technical School, & Outstanding K-12 Educational System)
• Small Town or City Living (Unique Shops, Local Festivals, Farmers Markets, Berry Picking, & Community Events)
• Cultural Activities (Theater, Music, Independent Films, Museums, Art Studios, & Diverse Local Restaurants)

To Apply

If you’re passionate about everyone having the opportunity to live their healthiest life, please visit our Careers Page to apply at www.unitycarenw.org or contact Vicki Curtis, Provider Recruiter, at hr@ucnw.org or 360-788-2661. For news on our organization & future job postings, please follow us on LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/363mfhv!

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires that all employees receive annual flu vaccines. UCNW also requires vaccination against COVID-19 as a vital public health measure that has truly been life-saving. We are proud of the leadership role we’ve played in protecting our community from this devastating virus. Following CDC and state guidelines, we have granted a very limited number of exemptions for employees who qualify.