Intake Coordinator Substance Use Treatement

Ascension Recovery Services; Columbus (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana Treatment Centers – Columbus is seeking an Intake Care Coordinator to guide patients through admission, screenings, and onboarding into treatment. The role collaborates with clinical, medical, nursing, and recovery teams to ensure a smooth, trauma-informed admission and a clear plan of care.

The coordinator will maintain timely documentation, support discharge planning, and help identify barriers requiring follow-up and clinical action.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or two years’ SUD/behavioral health experience.
• Experience documenting care plans, assessments, and admission notes.
• Strong written and verbal communication; trauma-informed approach.

Responsibilities

• Welcome new patients and conduct biopsychosocial screenings during intake.
• Complete new-patient orientation, explain program expectations, and review rights.
• Coordinate with clinical and medical teams to initiate admission and care plans.
• Maintain accurate electronic health record entries within required timelines.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

SUD experience

Communication skills

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Two years behavioral health experience

Job description

Intake Care Coordinator – Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Job Title: Intake Care Coordinator

Facility: Indiana Treatment Centers – Columbus

Location: Columbus, Indiana

Department: Clinical

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Clinical Lead/Director

Join Indiana Treatment Centers

Indiana Treatment Centers – Columbus is seeking a compassionate, organized, and highly dependable Intake Care Coordinator to help create a welcoming, coordinated, and clinically sound experience for individuals entering treatment.

The first hours of treatment matter. For many patients, admission happens during one of the most vulnerable and overwhelming moments of their lives. The Intake Care Coordinator helps make that transition feel organized, respectful, and supportive while ensuring all required clinical, medical, and admission processes are completed accurately.

This role works closely with our clinical, medical, nursing, recovery support, utilization review, and admissions teams to help each patient successfully transition into treatment and begin their recovery journey with a clear plan of care.

About Indiana Treatment Centers

At Indiana Treatment Centers, we provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment for individuals experiencing substance use disorders and related behavioral health needs.

Our multidisciplinary teams work together to provide individualized, person-centered care focused on helping patients achieve stability, build recovery skills, and successfully transition to the next stage of their recovery.

What You’ll Do

Intake & Admission

As the Intake Care Coordinator, you will help guide patients through the admission process and ensure a smooth transition into treatment.

Responsibilities Include

• Welcome new patients and help create a supportive, trauma-informed admission experience
• Conduct initial screenings and complete biopsychosocial assessments within the scope of applicable education, credentialing, and licensure
• Gather information related to substance use history, behavioral health needs, psychosocial needs, and readiness for change
• Complete new-patient orientation and review:
  • Program expectations
  • Patient rights and responsibilities
  • Facility guidelines
  • Treatment expectations
  • Applicable ASAM-informed level-of-care processes
• Ensure all intake documents, consents, assessments, and required electronic health record entries are completed accurately and within required timeframes
• Collaborate with nursing, medical providers, therapists, recovery support staff, and other team members during the admission process
• Coordinate with the medical team regarding initial physician orders, laboratory work, screenings, and evaluations
• Help identify immediate patient needs or barriers requiring clinical, medical, or operational follow-up
• Support development of preliminary treatment goals and facilitate a smooth handoff to the ongoing treatment team

Care Coordination

The Intake Care Coordinator also serves as an important communication link between the patient and multidisciplinary treatment team.

You Will

• Act as a communication hub among patients, clinical staff, medical providers, nursing, recovery support, utilization review, referral sources, and community providers
• Communicate patient needs and barriers proactively to appropriate team members
• Support patients in developing meaningful, measurable treatment goals
• Connect patients with appropriate internal programming and external resources
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation of care coordination activities and follow-up
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and clinical reviews
• Assist with treatment plan reviews and required authorizations as assigned
• Support continuity of care throughout the patient's treatment experience

Discharge & Transition Support

Although this position is primarily focused on intake, care coordination begins at admission.

Depending On Facility Needs, Responsibilities May Include

• Helping identify discharge and aftercare needs beginning at admission
• Coordinating referrals to outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment providers, sober living, housing resources, peer recovery services, and other community supports
• Supporting warm handoffs to receiving providers
• Assisting with follow-up appointments and continuity-of-care planning
• Ensuring transition-related documentation is completed within required timelines

Crisis & Behavioral Support

You will also help support a safe treatment environment by:

• Recognizing signs of emotional or behavioral crisis, withdrawal risk, escalating behavior, or other safety concerns
• Following established de-escalation and crisis-response procedures
• Communicating concerns immediately to the appropriate clinical or medical team member
• Supporting individualized behavioral and safety planning as assigned
• Documenting crisis interventions and coordination accurately

Compliance & Quality

The Intake Care Coordinator Is Expected To

• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2
• Follow applicable state, payer, agency, and accreditation requirements
• Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards
• Complete documentation accurately and within established timelines
• Participate in chart audits, quality improvement activities, and corrective action initiatives as assigned
• Follow infection prevention, safety, and emergency-management procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned

Who You Are

You are someone who can make a complicated process feel manageable.

You understand that individuals entering substance use treatment may be anxious, overwhelmed, ambivalent, medically uncomfortable, or unsure of what comes next. You can provide structure and reassurance while still maintaining professional boundaries and completing the operational and clinical requirements of admission.

You are organized, compassionate, detail-oriented, and able to communicate effectively with patients, families, referral sources, and interdisciplinary team members.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following education and experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field; OR a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a substance use disorder or behavioral health setting in lieu of a degree
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a behavioral health or substance use treatment environment
• Strong understanding of behavioral health, substance use disorders and trauma-informed care principles
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to complete accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining professionalism and empathy
• Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2
• Current CPR and First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with intake coordination, admissions, case management, care coordination, or discharge planning
• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria
• Knowledge of clinical documentation standards such as SOAP, DAP, or BIRP
• Familiarity with utilization review and payer authorization processes
• Behavioral health certification or licensure, such as LSW, LAC, or another applicable credential

Work Conditions

This position is facility-based in a behavioral health and substance use treatment environment.

The Role Includes

• Frequent interaction with individuals experiencing emotional or behavioral distress
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and computer use
• Regular in-person, telephone, and electronic communication
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds
• Potential exposure to contagious or infectious conditions
• Required adherence to infection prevention and workplace safety procedures

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana Treatment Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our team members and the patients we serve.