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Naphcare
Grand Junction, Colorado

Licensed Social Worker (MHP) or Counselor - PRN

Social WorkerPer Diem

Listed compensation

$35-$38.5/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

NaphCare is seeking to hire an experienced Licensed Social Worker Mental Health Counselor (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, LMHP, LMSW, LISW, LPC, LPCC, etc.) to join our team of medical professionals in the Mesa County Jail in Grand Junction, Colorado. We currently have a PRN position available!

Pay rates range from $35.00-$38.50 per hour. Pay rates range per hour based on employment status, site needs, licensure, and experience.

As a Correctional Licensed Mental Health Counselor, you will work alongside correctional officers and other medical professionals to provide counseling and mental health care to the individuals in residence.

Working within a controlled environment, where security is top priority and the days are never dull, you will have various duties to keep you engaged. This is a unique position where you can make a difference to this diverse population of patients with complex mental health and medical needs.

Responsibilities

The Licensed Social Worker Mental Health Counselor is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients in residence with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and behavioral issues ensuring they receive quality care that protects their rights, dignity and health. Duties and responsibilities may include and are not limited to:

Collaborating with medical, mental health and correctional staff to enhance quality patient care while maintaining a safe and secure work environment

Performing and documenting mental health evaluations, progress notes, individual and group counseling notes, individual treatment plans, addressing criminogenic needs and promoting positive behavioral change to prepare residents for release

Participating in educational and training activities related to mental health care for patients, security personnel, and healthcare staff

Demonstrate Knowledge of DSM-V / DSM-V-TR Criteria

Documenting and managing case files, patient progress, preparing reports, and participating in hearings

Initiating and/or participating in patient education and treatment programs, such as developing educational materials and providing group therapy

Monitoring compliance with site-specific and company policies and procedures, taking appropriate corrective action, and ensuring compliance with ACA, NCCHC standards

Qualifications

Experience / Skills / Requirements

Master's prepared Mental Health Professional with active, unrestricted licensure as a (LCSW, LCMHC, LMFT, LMHP, LISW, etc.) in Colorado

A minimum of 3 years’ clinical experience in a mental health care or acute care setting, with correctional healthcare experience preferred

Must have knowledge and experience in the identification and treatment of mental health and co-occurring substance abuse disorders, discharge planning, principles of social work, basic principles of individual and group behavior, and a working knowledge of psychotropic medications

Correctional counselors must be able to remain calm under pressure while assess patients’ situations, underlying causes of their behavior and be able to develop interventions and treatment plans

Effective communications skills are required for building patient rapport and relaying information and treatment plan with other medical and mental health care professionals

Strong organizational skills are needed to keep track of patient treatment plans and progress notes

Physical Capabilities

Must have the ability to stand for long periods, lift and move patients (up to 50 pounds), bend, squat, reach, push, pull, walk significant distances, and perform physically demanding tasks like CPR, all while maintaining good balance and endurance throughout a shift.

Why Join NaphCare?

NaphCare is one of the largest providers of healthcare services to correctional facilities throughout the US, and we are growing. If you have never considered a career in correctional healthcare, now may be the time. In addition to competitive salaries and generous employee benefits, we strongly support career advancement within the company.

  • Want a better idea of what it’s like to work in a jail? See what our MHPs do:
  • NaphCare - Life as a Mental Health Professional - YouTube
  • If you would like to speak with me to learn more about this position and NaphCare, apply directly to the position to initiate the application process, and I’ll be in touch.
  • Equal Opportunity Employer: disability/veteran
  • Follow Us: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Advancing Correctional Healthcare | NaphCare

Qualifications

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

Key Skills

Mental health counselingCrisis interventionTreatment planningCase managementPsychological assessmentSubstance abuse treatmentIndividual therapyDSM-V criteriaCommunication skillsDocumentation

Social Worker Career Context

Of the 40 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 48% are remote, 13% have no call, 70% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Colorado is 103.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$76k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $74k in an average-cost state. 60.9% of Colorado clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top contract/1099 Social Worker Jobs

40 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution20 jobs · 16 employers

3
<$115k
10
$115k-130k
5
$130k-145k
2
$146k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks12 jobs

401k / retirement match
92%
CME allowance
33%
Sign-on bonus
25%
Loan repayment
17%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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$56.78-$79.49/hr
#2

Home Health Medical Social WorkerPer Diem

BAYADA Home Health Care · Newton, Massachusetts

$60-$75/hr
#3

Social Worker / MSW (PRN)

$65-$70/hr
#4

Psychotherapist Outpatient Clinic – LCSW / LMHC / LMFT/Independent Contractor/Port Orange

$60-$70/hr
+ 38 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Social Work listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,492 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Grand Junction

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$412k
Typical market rent
$1,759/mo
Residents’ average commute
16 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.5
State income tax
Up to 4.4%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Grand Junction, CO metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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