VitalCore Health Strategies logo
VitalCore Health Strategies
Battle Creek, Michigan

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

CounselorPer Diem

Listed compensation

$37-$39/hr

The week · per this posting

Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 3mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

VitalCore Health Strategies is hiring a PRN Licensed Counselor for Calhoun County Jail in Battle Creek, Michigan!

Start A New Career with VitalCore Health Strategies!

View our opportunities at: vitalcorehs.com

Wages are competitive and based on experience!

At VitalCore we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring hardworking ethical individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

Mental Health Counselor Position Summary

The Mental Health Counselor will be involved in working with all disciplines on the Mental Health Unit to attain effectiveness in serving the patient population.

Mental Health Counselor Minimum Requirements

Must be a Licensed, Master’s Level Behavioral Health Clinician who can assess and make treatment decisions and provide Mental Health treatment including LMHC, LCSW, LMFT or Licensed Psychologist.

Mental Health Counselor Schedule

  • PRN

Essential Functions

  • The Licensed Mental Health Counselor performs individual and group therapeutic interventions as appropriate.
  • The Licensed Mental Health Counselor performs administrative consults for specialized social services as determined by the specific needs of the Institution.
  • The Licensed Mental Health Counselor performs specific psychiatric social service work on the Behavioral Health Unit
  • The Licensed Mental Health Counselor assists in planning and implementing the goals and objectives of programs and projects. May direct special projects as requested.
  • The Licensed Mental Health Counselor participates in and conducts in-service programs, as well as assists in the orientation of new staff and provides the necessary preparation of documentation, necessary records and reports.
  • The Licensed Mental Health Counselor attends training and meetings as required

We’re people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

Keywords: LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Mental Health Therapist, corrections, detention center, health care, counselor, mental health

PRN

Key Responsibilities

The counselor provides individual and group therapeutic interventions and psychiatric social services within a correctional facility. They also assist in program planning, staff orientation, and the preparation of clinical records.

Requirements

Candidates must be a Master's level behavioral health clinician with a valid license such as LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or a Licensed Psychologist. The role requires the ability to assess patients and make independent treatment decisions.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Individual TherapyGroup TherapyPsychiatric Social WorkClinical AssessmentTreatment PlanningCase ManagementCrisis Intervention

Clinical Psychology — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Michigan is 96.2 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.8% of Michigan clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 40 active Clinical Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 75% are remote, 18% have no call, 90% require no weekends.

Clinical Psychology pay on WeekdayDoc is up 11.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Licensed Mental Health Counselor at VitalCore Health Strategies a 7.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) — ranked against 209 active Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) listings on WeekdayDoc.

Top contract/1099 Counselor Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution23 jobs · 17 employers

6
<$70k
4
$70k-90k
0
$90k-110k
12
$110k-130k
1
$135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs · 17 employers

401k / retirement match
96%
CME allowance
38%
PSLF eligible
23%
Sign-on bonus
19%
Loan repayment
19%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Mental Health Therapist (Part-Time, W2)Contract

Two Chairs · Texas

$58.5-$85/hr
#2

Mental Health Therapist (Part-Time, W2)Contract

Two Chairs · South Carolina

$58.5-$85/hr
#3

Mental Health Therapist (Part-Time, W2)

$58.5-$85/hr
#4

Mental Health Therapist (Part-Time, W2)

$58.5-$85/hr
+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.7this job 7.2
Better work-life than 70% of Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 209 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Battle Creek

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$202k
Typical market rent
$1,138/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
90.5
State income tax
Up to 4.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Battle Creek, MI metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.