Compensation:

• Salaried, Exempt
• $5,000 Sign-on bonus (subject to payback clause)
• New hires can expect to be placed on our starting wage scale of $72,696 to $88,296
• Based on performance, there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $72,696 to $104,000

Work Schedule:

• Full time, 40 hours
• M-F

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 providers work closely with patients and their Primary Care Providers to help them meet their health care goals. As a Specialty Behavioral Health Counselor, you would provide comprehensive, outpatient behavioral health counseling to adult patients in a community mental health program including:

• Individual counseling, case management, crisis stabilization, suicide risk assessment, & treatment planning, and possibly lead groups
• Providing referrals and coordination with medication providers, primary care physicians, and other community agencies
• Working with patients to identify health goals and to achieve behavior change which will help achieve those goals
• Collaborating with patients and their families on resiliency/recovery goals that identify mental health needs, physical health care, substance abuse, risk factors, and daily activities such as housing and employment to achieve desired outcomes

You can learn more about the SBH Counselor role by viewing another video at https://youtu.be/NPYHfSLvIO4!

What We Offer

• A friendly team environment with clinical supervision for all counselors as well as opportunities for group collaboration
• A competitive compensation package
• A salaried position in a collegial work environment without the overhead and cost of running your own private practice
• Outpatient only with no call schedule
• In-house case management
• Malpractice insurance through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)

Benefits Include:

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(K) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off (160 hours Year 1, 208 hours Year 2 & increasing again at Year 5 & Year 10)
• Other paid leaves including: Bereavement, Jury Duty, Bone Marrow & Organ Transplant & Severe Weather Pay
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Optional insurances including: Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, Travel & Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Transportation Incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursements
• Medical Hardship payroll loans, Employee Referral Bonuses, Will preparation services & gym discounts
• Employment counts towards eligibility for Public Student Loan Forgiveness - details can be found at Federal Student Aid
• Eligible providers may apply for loan repayment through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC Loan Repayment Program | NHSC (hrsa.gov) or the Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps | WSAC)
• Continuing Education
• Reimbursement of license renewal fees

• 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 seeing patients with Medicaid insurance & knowledge of Medicaid requirements
• 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

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

About Ferndale:

Set amidst lush farmland on the Nooksack River with a commanding view of Mount Baker, Ferndale’s 15,000+ residents pride themselves on their relaxed, small-town friendliness and affordable quality of life. Ferndale’s convenient location in Whatcom County on the I-5 corridor is just 15 minutes away from our main site in beautiful downtown Bellingham, a popular university & retirement community of 90,000+ nestled on Bellingham Bay at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. Just a short distance from Seattle, Vancouver BC, and the San Juan Islands, Whatcom County houses 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 are passionate about helping everyone have the opportunity to live their healthiest life, please visit our Careers Page to apply at Unity Care NW - Job Opportunities (paylocity.com) 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 all employees to receive annual flu immunizations. 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 have 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.