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Naphcare
Grand Junction, Colorado

Licensed Social Worker (MHP) or Counselor - $3k Sign-On Bonus (Full Time Days)

Social WorkerFull-Time

Listed compensation

$34.2-$36.1/hr

Listing transparency2 of 6 stated

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

Employment & setting
Full-Time
Call expectations
Not specified
Weekends
Not specified
Posted 56m 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, or LPCC) to join our team of medical professionals in the Mesa County Jail in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Pay rates range from $34.20-$36.10 per hour. Pay rates range per hour based on employment status, site needs, licensure, and experience.

*We offer a $3,000 sign on bonus for Full-Time employees!*

As a Correctional Licensed Social Worker 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

Job Duties / 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

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 / Requirements / Qualifications / Skills

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

Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information and integrity, professionalism and ability to adhere to a Code of Conduct and comply with all facility(s) correctional healthcare policies, procedures, and legal requirements

Must pass the facility’s criminal background check and drug screening

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.

NaphCare Benefits for Full-Time Employees Include

  • Health, dental & vision insurance that starts day one!
  • Prescriptions free of charge through our health plan, beginning day one
  • Lowest Cost Benefits!
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
  • 401K and Roth with company contribution that starts day one!
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Referral bonuses
  • Term life insurance at no cost to the employee
  • Generous paid time off & paid holidays

Free Continuing Education and CMEs

  • 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

#NCE

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health assessmentCrisis interventionIndividual counselingTreatment planningCase managementSubstance abuse treatmentPsychotropic medication knowledgeClinical documentationCommunication skillsCompliance monitoring

Social Worker Career Context

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 32% have no call, 74% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Colorado is 103.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$73k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $71k in an average-cost state. 60.9% of Colorado clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

29 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution29 jobs · 19 employers

11
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9
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Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks28 jobs · 19 employers

401k / retirement match
93% this job
CME allowance
25% this job
Sign-on bonus
18% this job
Loan repayment
18%
PSLF eligible
7%

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Work-life snapshot

3.0/ 10
Listing-based score

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.

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About Naphcare

Hospitals and Health Care
Birmingham, AL
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health, dental & vision insurance from day one
Free prescriptions through health plan
401K and Roth with company contribution from day one
Tuition Assistance
Referral bonuses
Term life insurance at no cost
Generous paid time off & paid holidays
Free continuing education and CMEs