Location & Practice Overview

The position sits inside a multi-site community health center network in the Phoenix metro area, where behavioral health operates as one division of an integrated patient-centered medical and dental home.

Facility Type Federally Qualified Health Center with multiple Phoenix and Mesa locations
Department Behavioral Health Division
Care Delivery Outpatient clinic-based
Practice Model Multidisciplinary healthcare home

Responsibilities

  • Conduct clinical assessments and provide therapeutic counseling for mental health and substance use presentations that fall within licensed scope.
  • Deliver individual, family, and group counseling sessions in the outpatient setting.
  • Offer prevention and education services oriented to community members who primarily speak Spanish.
  • Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation, billing entries, and materials required for program audits.
  • Attend and contribute to case staffing meetings and peer review processes.

Coordination with the internal multidisciplinary team and external providers supports continuity for shared patients.

Qualifications & Requirements

Independent Arizona licensure is mandatory; additional clearances and preferred experience strengthen candidacy.

Degree
Master’s in social work, counseling, or related field
License
Active unrestricted AZBBHE LCSW, LPC, or LMFT
Experience Preference
Three or more years in mental health and/or substance use treatment with diverse or underserved populations
Language
Spanish bilingual preferred
Clearances
Arizona driver’s license, Class 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card, background check, substance testing, immunizations, TB report, and BLS within 90 days

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is stated as a fixed annual figure with a time-bound sign-on bonus and a defined set of employee benefits.

  • $81,972 annual compensation
  • $2,000 sign-on bonus paid after 90 days of continuous employment
  • Medical, vision, and dental insurance
  • Retirement plan with up to 5% employer match
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays

Schedule & Work Environment

Status Full-time
Location Type On-site outpatient clinic
Team Context Embedded in a multidisciplinary patient care team

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

Services focus on people who encounter barriers to care, with attention to cultural and linguistic context.

Core Population Urban American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other underserved individuals
Service Recipients Individuals, families, and groups across age ranges as clinically indicated
Primary Concerns General mental health and substance use issues
Linguistic Context Prevention and education directed toward a primarily Spanish-speaking community

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The professional core of the role is outpatient therapeutic counseling that addresses both mental health and substance use needs while incorporating community-level prevention work.

Outpatient Counseling Therapeutic work with individuals, families, and groups for general mental health conditions
Substance Use Counseling Treatment of substance use concerns within the counselor’s licensed scope
Prevention Services Behavioral health education and prevention programming

Role Highlights

Distinctive elements of this independent counselor position arise from its organizational setting and community orientation.

  • Placement inside an FQHC healthcare home that prioritizes urban Native and underserved populations
  • Dedicated prevention and education component focused on a primarily Spanish-speaking community
  • Independent licensed authority to treat both mental health and substance use presentations

About NATIVE HEALTH

NATIVE HEALTH, formally the Native American Community Health Center, Inc., is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center founded in 1978. It delivers primary medical, dental, behavioral health, WIC, and community wellness services through multiple clinical sites in Phoenix and Mesa and holds accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

Legal Status Non-profit FQHC / 501(c)(3)
Established 1978
Locations Clinical sites in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona
Service Range Primary care, dental, behavioral health, WIC, and wellness programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spanish fluency required for the position?
Spanish bilingual ability is preferred because the role includes prevention and education work with a primarily Spanish-speaking community, but it is not listed as a mandatory requirement.
Does the counselor treat both mental health and substance use?
Yes. The position covers outpatient therapeutic counseling for general mental health concerns as well as substance use issues that remain within the individual counselor’s education, training, and licensure.
Is the patient population limited to Native American clients?
NATIVE HEALTH focuses on urban American Indians and Alaska Natives while also serving other individuals who experience barriers to health services, resulting in a mixed underserved population.
What non-clinical requirements must be met after hire?
New hires must secure a Class 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card, complete substance abuse testing, supply current immunization and TB records, obtain BLS certification within 90 days, and hold or obtain a valid Arizona driver’s license.
When is the sign-on bonus paid?
The $2,000 sign-on bonus is paid after 90 days of continued employment.

Independent Licensed Behavioral Health Counselor in Phoenix, AZ

NATIVE HEALTH seeks an independently licensed behavioral health counselor for its outpatient program in Phoenix. The role centers on therapeutic work with individuals, families, and groups who present with mental health or substance use concerns, carried out inside a Federally Qualified Health Center that has served urban Native and other barrier-facing communities since 1978. Counselors function as members of a multidisciplinary healthcare home, contribute to case staffing, and support prevention education directed toward Spanish-speaking community members. The position requires an active Arizona LCSW, LPC, or LMFT license and a master’s degree; experience with diverse or underserved populations is preferred. Compensation is fixed at $81,972 annually, accompanied by a $2,000 sign-on bonus after 90 days and a standard benefits package that includes health coverage, retirement matching, and paid leave. The work is clinic-based rather than remote and aligns clinical practice with the organization’s long-standing focus on accessible, culturally aware care across its Phoenix and Mesa sites.

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