Compensation:   

• New hires are placed on our starting wage scale of $79,892.80 to $97,094.40 per year
• Based on performance, there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $79,892.80 - $114,296 per year 
• Exempt/Salary

Work Schedule: 

• Monday-Friday 
• Shifts may start as early as 6:30am at The Way Station and as early as 7:30am at the main clinic
• Day shifts only

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

Make a difference by serving our unhoused neighbors as a Behavioral Health (BH) Consultant at The Way Station in downtown Bellingham, WA! 

We believe both physical and emotional health are important for overall health and wellness. The BH Consultant is responsible for improving patient health and increasing well-being through small behavioral changes. This role uses evidence-based interventions during brief consults in a fast-paced, medical clinic environment emphasizing a patient-centered, trauma-informed approach. We are happy to provide on-the-job training and education to support the transition from traditional counseling to working within an episodic model of care such as this.

Individuals experiencing homelessness are more likely to become ill, have greater hospitalization rates, and die at a younger age than the general population. The Way Station will provide individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a range of health and social services to assist in improving their health outcomes and aiding their transition to sustainable housing. This new, unique facility will serve people in need of showers, laundry, medical and behavioral health care, case management, and other services provided by partner organizations including respite care.  
 

As the sole BH Consultant at The Way Station, you would work alongside a Family Nurse Practitioner and Medical Assistant to provide BH clinical services and care management; perform consultations; and complete clear & comprehensive chart notes. While The Way Station will not serve as a primary care home, it will provide a bridge and assist with connecting clients to one. We are looking for someone to provide these BH services in an empathy-forward, trauma-informed manner that acknowledges the barriers and inequities experienced by our unhoused patients. 

This is a full-time position with hours split between The Way Station and our main clinic in Bellingham with the possibility of increasing or decreasing hours at each location based on patient needs. 

Learn more about the BH Consultant role:

• https://youtu.be/0jLwlLPZjK0.

Learn more about The Way Station:

• https://unitycarenw.org/the-way-station/ 
• Restoring Dignity and Wellness: Coalition Breaks Ground on The Way Station To Offer Comprehensive Health and Hygiene Services to Homeless Communities - WhatcomTalk

What We Offer
 

• A friendly & team-based culture
• Clinical supervision for all therapists
• Opportunities for 1-on-1 & group collaboration with Medical Providers, Care Team members, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners & other Behavioral Health staff
• A competitive compensation package
• A salaried position without the overhead duties & cost of running a private practice
• Outpatient only with no call schedule
• In-house case management
• Malpractice insurance with tail coverage through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)

Loan Repayment Application Opportunities 

Watch our video at UCNW Loan Repayment Program - YouTube to learn more about loan repayment opportunities at UCNW!

• Employment at UCNW 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)) and/or, when The Way Station has been open over a year, through the Washington Student Achievement Council (Washington Health Corps | WSAC)

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 gradually increasing to 248 hours per year over 10 years
• Other paid leaves for Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow/Organ Donation
• 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
• Continuing Education days/dollars
• Reimbursement of WA State license renewal fees

• Licensed in Washington State as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) or Psychologist (or be eligible to obtain an independent license in Washington)
• 2 years’ direct clinical experience, preferably in community health or community mental health

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized knowledge, training &/or experience in the principles of integrating behavioral health assessment and treatment in the primary care setting (we will provide training if you don’t have this)
• Experience with Medicaid, Medicare & private insurance plans & related insurance knowledge
• Demonstrated success working with and relating to individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds & socio-economic levels, treating them with sensitivity & respect
• Experience working with unhoused populations and knowledge of the issues and challenges they face as well as the resources that may assist them

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  oarding, 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
 

Visit our Careers Page 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.