Mental Health Counselor 2

Job description

DISCLOSURE This role can be fulfilled either as a W-2 employee or by providing services as an independent contractor (1099). Candidates must select their preferred engagement type upon applying. The details below outline both the 1099 independent contractor and W-2 employee versions of this opportunity. Please review carefully and determine which arrangement aligns best with your professional and financial goals. Important Note: If choosing the 1099 independent contractor option, the company will assess whether all prerequisites to satisfy independent contractor classification tests have been met before finalizing engagement under this structure. How to Apply: When applying, please specify whether you wish to be considered as a W-2 employee or 1099 independent contractor. Our team will review your application and, if selecting the 1099 option, confirm that all independent contractor classification requirements are met before finalizing the engagement. DIVISION : Operations UNIT : n/a ACCOUNTABLE TO : Operations Manager 2 COMPANY WEBSITE: COMPANY PHONE NUMBER: (667) 309-9920 ALTERNATE TITLE(S): Behavioral Health Therapist, Outpatient Therapist, Mental Health Clinician, or Integrated Behavioral Health Counselor ACCOUNTABLE FOR: Providing mental health focused counseling services, completing assessments and treatment plans, maintaining accurate documentation, and ensuring care is person-centered, evidence-based, and compliant with clinical and regulatory standards. COMPANY : Community Wellness Outpatient Mental Health Center ABOUT COMMUNITY WELLNESS OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH CENTER: Community Wellness Outpatient Mental Health Center (CWOMHC) is a person-centered behavioral health organization committed to improving the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and families across our community. We offer a full continuum of outpatient services—including therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and care coordination—designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients in a compassionate and culturally responsive environment. CWOMHC supports holistic recovery by integrating somatic, behavioral, and rehabilitative care. Our interdisciplinary team is dedicated to fostering resilience, dignity, and empowerment through trauma-informed, evidence-based practices. We serve children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of behavioral health conditions, always with a focus on accessibility, community connection, and client choice. Client Service Location Expectations: Assigned clients will be serviced as part of a substance use disorder day treatment program, under the terms of the company’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with that facility. Services are to be rendered on-site, directly to those clients while they are present at the day program, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM daily. Clients may be pulled from their scheduled day treatment activities to participate in individual mental health services, as scheduled by the company’s clinical and scheduling teams. Caseload Makeup: 15 Category P clients assigned for services in the community-based meeting room located at 5517 Governor Ritchie Hwy, Brooklyn, MD 21225 OPTION 1: 1099 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR VERSION ( For individuals or businesses offering services independently ) CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR PHONE NUMBER: (667) 309-9920 EXT 10 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR EMAIL ADDRESS : Scope of Service : Mental Health Counselor – Independent Contractor Reports to : Operations Manager 2 (as needed) CLASSIFICATION : Contract Position (1099) Overview We are seeking a qualified and licensed Mental Health Counselor to serve as an independent contractor (1099) providing on-site mental health services within a substance use disorder day treatment program, under the terms of the company’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the host facility. The contractor will be responsible for delivering individual, group, and family counseling, conducting mental health assessments, developing and updating treatment plans, and completing all required documentation. Services are to be rendered on-site between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and clients may be temporarily pulled from day treatment activities to receive scheduled mental health services. All services must be scheduled in advance in collaboration with the company’s Scheduling Department and must comply with applicable clinical, ethical, and regulatory standards. Service Expectations & Deliverables: The contractor is responsible for providing structured mental health focused counseling services to clients assigned by the company's Scheduling Department in alignment with program needs, including: Facilitating mental health focused individual, family, and group-focused counseling sessions, diagnostic evaluations, assessments, and treatment planning sessions as scheduled Providing make-up sessions for clients who missed their originally scheduled session Allocating time for documentation and session note writing within ICANotes before the conclusion of the service period Addressing individual client needs, if requested, within the service timeframe Coordinating independently with the Program Coordinator to ensure client care needs are met Maintaining compliance with COMAR regulations, professional licensing requirements, and ethical standards Utilizing the company’s approved treatment curriculum as appropriate; contractors may also integrate their own approaches if aligned with best practices and regulatory requirements Utilizing and maintaining fidelity to the agency’s designated clinical treatment models Applying trauma-informed, person-centered practices to every stage of the clinical relationship Completing initial treatment plans within the required timeframe (e.g., first 7 days of admission) Conducting monthly treatment plan reviews to assess goal progress, revise interventions, and document outcomes Completing initial diagnostic assessments and evaluations at the start of services Performing comprehensive reassessments and updated diagnostic evaluations every 6 months Maintaining accurate, timely documentation in the electronic health record system in accordance with CARF, Medicaid, and COMAR standards Providing routine case coordination with internal staff and external service providers, including PCPs, housing, probation, or substance use programs Maintaining awareness of client barriers and addressing social determinants of health in treatment planning Ensuring crisis intervention and safety planning are provided as needed Service Schedule & Session Structure The contractor agrees to render only those services for which they are credentialed. Services must be rendered on-site, as specified in the agreement. If the contractor is on-site and the client is not, services may be rendered via telehealth only if the contractor remains on-site. All services must be scheduled at least 7 days in advance, aligned with client availability, individual needs, industry standards, and program model guidelines. Documentation & Compliance Contractor must submit detailed invoices reflecting services performed, including dates, locations, and nature of work. Follow fidelity guidelines for integrated co-occurring treatment approaches. Participate in fidelity reviews, clinical audits, and supervision to improve service quality and consistency. Track treatment outcomes and client satisfaction as part of ongoing quality assurance. Attend required clinical training and CEUs to maintain licensure and model proficiency. Maintain compliance with company policies and regulatory bodies, including COMAR, CARF, and CSA. Complete and maintain all required documentation to support audit readiness, quality assurance, and service delivery verification. Session documentation must be completed and submitted in ICANotes before the contractor’s service window ends each day. Required Documentation Includes, but Is Not Limited To: H0005 – Substance use disorder-focused group therapy notes H0004 – Substance use disorder-focused individual progress notes and treatment planning (15-minute units) H0001 – Substance use disorder-focused diagnostic biopsychosocial assessments 90853 – Mental health-focused group therapy notes 90832 / 90834 – Mental health-focused individual session notes 90846 / 90847 – Mental health-focused family session notes H0032 – Mental health-focused individual treatment planning sessions 90791 – Mental health-focused diagnostic biopsychosocial assessments Treatment plan updates – As clinically necessary Qualifications & Licensing Requirements: To be eligible for this contract, the contractor must hold valid Maryland licensure, including one of the following: Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LCADC) Licensed Graduate Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LGADC) Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor - Addictions Counselor (CAC-AD) Certified Supervised Counselor Alcohol & Drug (CSCAD) Approved Alcohol & Drug Trainee (ADT) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist (LCMFT) Licensed Graduate Marriage & Family Therapist (LGMF) Licensed Psychologist Registered Psychology Associate Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric Mental Health (CRNP-PMH) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Psychiatric Mental Health (APRN-PMH) Clinical Nurse Specialist - Psychiatric Mental Health (CNS-PMH) A Student Intern in one of the above disciplines. Compensation, Invoicing & Payment Terms: Contractors will be compensated per service rendered (e.g., per session, per group, or per client contact), rather than by hourly wages. Payments will be made based on submitted invoices reflecting the services provided. Invoices covering services from Sunday through Saturday must be submitted to the Contract Administrator by Saturday at midnight to be included in the scheduled check run. Invoices submitted after this deadline may be processed in the following check run. The contractor is responsible for all taxes, insurance, and licensing costs associated with their work. Independent Contractor Status: The contractor retains full discretion over how services are performed, provided they meet program requirements. The contractor is not an employee and is not entitled to benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, or unemployment insurance. The contractor must maintain appropriate professional liability insurance and provide proof upon request. Proposal Submission Process Interested contractors are invited to submit a competitive proposal for providing addiction counseling services under this contract. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. To be considered, please complete and submit responses to the questions in the fields below. Proposal Requirements: Each proposal should include: Contractor Information: Full Name / Business Name Contact Information Business License (if applicable) Qualifications & Licensing: Applicants must hold valid licensure in the State of Maryland in one of the following disciplines: Alcohol & Drug Counseling (LCADC, LGADC, CAC-AD, CSCAD, ADT), Professional Counseling (LCPC, LGPC), Social Work (LCSW-C, LCSW, LMSW, LBSW), Marriage & Family Therapy (LCMFT, LGMFT), Psychology (Licensed Psychologist, Registered Psychology Associate), or Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (CRNP-PMH, APRN-PMH, CNS-PMH). Student interns actively enrolled in a program leading to licensure in one of these fields may also be considered. Experience & Approach: Summary of relevant experience in mental health counseling Proposed approach to service delivery, including experience with ICANotes documentation Proposed Rate & Compensation Structure: Per service rate (e.g., per session, per group, per client contact) Any additional cost considerations Availability & Service Delivery Plan: Days and times the contractor is available for 5-hour daily service periods during the MOU site hours of 10am -3pm Confirmation that the contractor can provide in-person sessions only Proposal Evaluation & Selection Process: Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and contracts may be awarded as qualified proposals are received. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria, with a total possible score of 100 points: Qualifications & Licensure Compliance (30%) Valid licensure in Maryland as specified in the Qualifications & Licensing section. Compliance with professional and regulatory standards. Relevant Experience in Mental Health Counseling (25%) Demonstrated experience in mental health counseling or a similar setting. Experience with ICANotes or comparable electronic health record (EHR) systems. Competitive Rate Proposal (20%) Cost-effectiveness of the proposed per-service compensation. Alignment with industry standards and budget considerations. Availability & Service Alignment with Program Needs (15%) Contractor’s ability to provide consistent 5-hour and 45-minute service periods. Willingness to offer in-person services. Proposal Completeness & Professionalism (10%) Clarity, organization, and thoroughness of the proposal. Responsiveness to all required fields and criteria. Each proposal will be scored based on these weighted factors, and the highest-scoring candidates will be invited for further discussions or contract negotiation. Selected contractors will be contacted for further discussions or contract negotiation. Questions & Clarifications: For any questions regarding this RFP process, please contact Contract Administrator at (667) 309-9920 EXT 10. OPTION 2: W-2 EMPLOYMENT VERSION ( For those seeking a traditional employment arrangement ) HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBER: (667) 400-6206 EXT 10 HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT EMAIL ADDRESS: ACCOUNTABLE TO: Operations Manager 2 CLASSIFICATION : Full-Time on a Fee-for-service basis (W2). WORK SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM COMPENSATION RANGE : Ranges between $93,600.00 per year to $46,800.00 per year paid on a fee-for-service basis for servicing assigned clients as scheduled. Commensurate based on credentials and experience. W2 employees are eligible for benefits: health insurance, professional development opportunities, and paid time off. Mileage reimbursement for preapproved mileage. ANTICIPATED TRAVEL : 0% of the time. SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES : The Mental Health Counselor is responsible for delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health counseling services to individuals enrolled in a substance use disorder day treatment program, under the terms of the company’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the host facility. This is a fee-for-service position, with services provided on-site, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The counselor will facilitate scheduled individual, group, and family therapy sessions; complete clinical assessments; develop and update treatment plans; and maintain timely, accurate documentation in accordance with Medicaid, COMAR, and CARF standards. Clients may be pulled from day treatment activities to receive mental health services, which are expected to be scheduled in advance in coordination with the company’s Scheduling Department. SCHEDULED DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Facilitate individual, group, and family therapy sessions focused on mental health needs, as scheduled by the company Conduct initial mental health assessments and diagnostic evaluations using agency-approved tools Develop treatment plans within required timeframes (e.g., within 7 days of admission) and conduct monthly reviews and updates Perform comprehensive reassessments and diagnostic updates every 6 months or as clinically indicated Collaborate with program staff and the Scheduling Department to coordinate session times that do not disrupt critical day treatment activities Utilize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and person-centered therapeutic approaches Maintain fidelity to agency-approved clinical models and evidence-based treatment frameworks Document all services in the designated electronic health record (e.g., ICANotes) prior to the end of the service window each day Participate in quality assurance reviews, audits, and supervision as required Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations including COMAR, Medicaid, and CARF standards UNSCHEDULED DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Assist supervisor with work-related requests. Collaborate with and serve as program POC for external treatment providers and outside agencies as needed. Responsible for following regulations of COMAR, CARF, any other regulatory body, and company policies/ procedures related to service delivery and documentation and co-facilitating orientation of all new hires to these as well. Support the maintenance of a safe environment by participating in training and drills as requested. Maintain confidentiality of records relating to client’s treatment. Participate in external and internal audits/surveys (CARF/CSA/OHCQ) as directed by the supervisor. Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement plans by completing periodic audits or other activities to ensure regulatory compliance and/or improve service delivery. Ensure the medical director or clinical supervisor reviews and co-signs documents as required. PHYSICAL DEMANDS : Regularly walk, stand, or stoop; occasionally lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; and regularly drives a motor vehicle. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in an office; Work exposes incumbent to contagious or infectious diseases; Work may expose incumbent to dangerous and volatile situations; which could result in bodily injury. DISCLOSURES : The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully. The job’s responsibilities/tasks may be modified and/or expanded over time. The company will inform the personnel member when changes in the respective job description are made. COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS: Proven working experience in counseling, including as a nurse, medical, mental health care manager, or a related job Excellent knowledge of psychotherapeutic principles, healthcare management, and reimbursement Previous experience with psychological aspects of care Effective communication skills Excellent organizational and time management skills Familiarity with professional and technical emerging knowledge Problem-solving skills and ability to multitask Compassionate with teamwork skills Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in mental health counseling LEVEL OF EDUCATION / TRAINING / QUALIFICATIONS: Education : Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred). Licensure/Certification: To be eligible for this contract, the contractor must hold valid Maryland licensure, including one of the following: Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LCADC) Licensed Graduate Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LGADC) Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor - Addictions Counselor (CAC-AD) Certified Supervised Counselor Alcohol & Drug (CSCAD) Approved Alcohol & Drug Trainee (ADT) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC) Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist (LCMFT) Licensed Graduate Marriage & Family Therapist (LGMF) Licensed Psychologist Registered Psychology Associate Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatric Mental Health (CRNP-PMH) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse - Psychiatric Mental Health (APRN-PMH) Clinical Nurse Specialist - Psychiatric Mental Health (CNS-PMH) A Student Intern in one of the above disciplines. Experience : Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in mental health counseling, preferably in a clinical setting. Skills : Strong organizational skills, excellent communication, and a commitment to ethical practice.