Child and Adolescent Therapist - Diagnostic Evaluator

Blackbird Health; Centreville (MD); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackbird Health seeks a Diagnostic Clinician to split time between neurodevelopmental evaluations and ongoing psychotherapy for children and teens. Onsite 1 day per week with some remote work, after-school hours, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Competitive hourly pay and a focus on whole-child care.

The role requires VA licensure (LCSW/LMFT/LPC) and experience with pediatric populations, with a flexible schedule tailored to business needs and patient demand.

Qualifications

• Licensed in VA as LCSW, LMFT or LPC.
• Experience with children, adolescents, and families.
• Strong clinical writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary care model.

Responsibilities

• Conduct neurodevelopmental diagnostic evaluations (e.g., autism spectrum tools).
• Provide psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Develop and adjust individualized treatment plans.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary providers to integrate care.

Skills

LCSW VA

LMFT VA

LPC VA

Child & Family Care

Job description

About Blackbird Health

Blackbird Health is clinician-founded, owned, and operated by dedicated professionals. We believe that providing the best care for children starts with building the best possible team. We deliver virtual and in-person mental health services across Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey—and we’re growing into new markets in 2026.

At Blackbird, we take a whole-child approach, looking at how the brain, body, and behavior interact to address the root causes of challenges, not just the symptoms. Every role matters here, and you’ll join a collaborative, supportive, and innovative team that’s shaping the future of pediatric mental health care. If you’re passionate about helping children and families while growing your career, Blackbird is the place to make an impact.

Join us and help change mental health care for children for the better!

Position Summary

The Diagnostic Clinician is a hybrid clinical role designed for experienced clinicians who split their time between neurodevelopmental diagnostic evaluations and ongoing psychotherapy services. This role allows flexibility to tailor each clinician’s mix of diagnostic evaluations and therapy hours based on business needs, clinician strengths, and patient demand.

Diagnostic Clinicians partner closely with interdisciplinary care teams to deliver high-quality, whole‑child care through comprehensive assessments, thoughtful clinical formulation, and evidence‑based therapeutic treatment.

Diagnostic Evaluation Responsibilities

• Conduct neurodevelopmental diagnostic evaluations, including autism spectrum evaluations (e.g., ADOS‑2, ASRS, CARS).
• Analyze, interpret, and synthesize assessment data into clear, clinically sound diagnostic conclusions.
• Complete progress notes for evaluations within 24 hours of services.
• Provide clear, compassionate feedback to clients and families following evaluations.
• Communicate evaluation findings, recommendations, and next steps to the broader care team.
• Participate in weekly department and team meetings, offering consultation and clinical input as needed.
• Manage all aspects of the diagnostic schedule, including assessments, feedback appointments, report‑writing time, and rescheduling as necessary.
• Report weekly diagnostic productivity in accordance with departmental expectations.
• Participate in training and supervision to expand diagnostic skill set.

Psychotherapy / Clinical Care Responsibilities

• Provide evidence‑based psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Conduct biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for new therapy clients.
• Develop, implement, and adjust individualized treatment plans based on patient progress and clinical judgment.
• Build and maintain strong, trusting therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary providers (e.g., Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Executive Function Coaches, Speech Therapists) to create and maintain integrated treatment plans.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of patient progress and maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation.
• Involve and advise family members, caregivers, and outside providers as clinically appropriate.
• Meet minimum weekly clinical service expectations following onboarding and role acclimation.

Schedule & Work Model

• This role requires onsite work at the assigned clinic location a minimum of 1** **days per week, with the majority of onsite time dedicated to direct patient care.
• Remaining responsibilities may be completed remotely, though additional onsite duties may be assigned as needed.
• Due to school schedules, clinicians are expected to support patient care during Blackbird’s core after‑school hours.

After‑School Hours Requirement

• A minimum of 12** hours per week must be scheduled during after‑school hours.

• After‑school hours are defined as:

  • Any weekday time after 4:00pm ET , and
  • All weekend hours.

Productivity & Role Customization

This is a flexible hybrid role. Expectations for diagnostic evaluations and therapy services will be customized per clinician and documented individually.

Required Qualifications

• Independently licensed LCSW, LMFT & LPC in VA.
• Experience working with children, adolescents, and families.
• Strong clinical writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary care model.
• Comfort managing complex schedules and balancing multiple clinical responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience conducting neurodevelopmental or autism diagnostic evaluations.
• Familiarity with standardized diagnostic tools (ADOS‑2, ASRS, CARS, or similar).
• Experience working in integrated or team‑based care environments.

Salary Range

$85—$95 USD

Join us!

To raise the standard of pediatric mental health care through accurate understanding and precise treatment that reflect how each child’s brain, body, and behavior work together.

“It’s so rare to find comprehensive care like this—from testing to therapy to med management (and more)–all in one place. In addition, the school advocacy support we receive is unprecedented. We no longer feel like we are managing things alone.”

Fostering an inclusive environment:

Blackbird is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and belonging. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. Blackbird provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail] so we can support you.

Our patient support team is busy helping children and families, please do not call or email them about your application — this helps us process your application more efficiently.