Intake Therapist

Judson Center; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Judson Center in Michigan is seeking an intake therapist to perform comprehensive behavioral health assessments, establish diagnoses when appropriate, assess safety risks, and determine appropriate levels of care and treatment services.

You will complete DSM-5 diagnostic evaluations, develop initial treatment plans, coordinate admissions, educate clients and families about options, and ensure thorough EHR documentation.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field.
• One to three years of clinical behavioral health experience.
• Active state licensure in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology (full license preferred).
• State-mandated training completion and ability to deliver services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments for new clients.
• Complete diagnostic evaluations utilizing DSM-5 criteria.
• Assess suicide risk, homicidal ideation, abuse, neglect, and safety concerns; perform crisis intervention as needed.
• Determine level of care and provide treatment recommendations.
• Develop initial treatment plans and coordinate admission into services.
• Educate clients and families on treatment options and available resources.
• Coordinate referrals to internal or external providers as clinically indicated.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation in the EHR.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, case managers, therapists, and other team members.
• Ensure HIPAA, licensing, payer guidelines, and organizational policies are followed.

Skills

Crisis intervention

DSM-5 knowledge

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Cultural competency

Communication skills

HIPAA compliance

EHR documentation

Trauma informed care

Education

Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Microsoft Office

Job description

The primary responsibility of the intake therapist is to conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments to determine client needs, establish diagnoses when appropriate, assess safety risks, and recommend appropriate levels of care and treatment services.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments for new clients.
• Complete diagnostic evaluations utilizing DSM-5 criteria.
• Assess clients for suicide risk, homicidal ideation, abuse, neglect, and other safety concerns, implementing crisis intervention as needed.
• Determine appropriate level of care and make treatment recommendations.
• Develop initial treatment plans and coordinate admission into appropriate services.
• Educate clients and families regarding available treatment options, agency services, and community resources.
• Coordinate referrals to internal programs or external providers when clinically indicated.
• Obtains benchmark productivity thresholds, including those measured quarterly for performance-based incentives.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete clinical documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, case managers, therapists, and other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA, state licensing requirements, payer guidelines, and organizational policies.
• Verifies Medicaid eligibility and service authorizations to ensure payment of services.
• Attend team meetings, staff meetings, and supervisions, as scheduled.
• Complete all mandatory trainings, as required by contract, Judson Center, and licensure.
• May be assigned a reduced caseload of up to 10 cases based on intake service volume.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Clinical experience, knowledge of best practices, evidence-based practice models, trauma informed care, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders preferred.
• Knowledge of family therapy theories, treatment philosophies and strategies of home-based services, as well as community resources.
• Demonstrated competency in computer skills using electronic health record and Microsoft Office.
• Proven capability to provide culturally competent services that shows sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Ability to comply with all applicable licensing rules, accreditation standards, code of ethics, insurance reimbursement rules, and Judson Center's policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
• One to three years of clinical experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, outpatient mental health.
• Active state licensure in Social Work, Counseling or Psychology, full license preferred.
• Must complete the state-mandated training and be certified to deliver services.
• Valid Michigan Driver's License, appropriate insurance and use of own vehicle.

Working Conditions

• Job requires non-traditional work hours, in the office and community.
• Job requires a flexible schedule.
• Job includes working with consumers who may show aggression or have behavioral outbursts.
• Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and by telephone or video conferencing.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of a person so classified. The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and perform other duties as assigned for the good of the consumers, the program, the department and the agency.