Lead Behavioral Health Clinician

Children & Families of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Children & Families of Iowa seeks a Lead Behavioral Health Clinician to deliver professional mental health therapy and to coordinate clinical operations at the main location in Des Moines, IA.

The role includes supervising therapists, ensuring evidence-based practices, and aligning services with licensing and contract standards. Strong leadership and supervisory abilities are essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
• Independent licensure in Iowa.
• Experience supervising licensed therapists.
• Training in specialty and evidence-based practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct therapy to individuals, families, and groups per program guidelines.
• Provide clinical supervision to therapists and support professional development.
• Coordinate clinical aspects of program areas and assist leadership.
• Complete documentation and reporting to meet agency and licensing standards.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments when needed and coordinate community resources.
• Oversee supervisory and administrative tasks including hiring, training, and evaluation.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Leadership

Therapy (individual/family/group)

Documentation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work or Counseling

Licensed in Iowa

Evidence-based practices training

Job description

Description

As the Lead Behavioral Health Clinician, you will provide professional mental health therapy while playing a key role in coordinating clinical operations. Reporting to the Clinical Director of Behavioral Health, this position offers the opportunity to shape clinical practice, supervise therapists, and collaborate with leadership to ensure high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health services delivered in alignment with agency policies and program guidelines. You will deliver direct therapy services while coordinating clinical aspects of the main location. You will provide clinical supervision to assigned therapists, support evidence-based practice implementation, and ensure services meet agency, licensing, and contractual standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Clinical Services

• Provide professional mental health therapy to individuals, families, and groups in accordance with program guidelines and agency policies, including in-office and virtual services as needed.
• Deliver crisis-responsive and ongoing therapeutic services to address mental health needs and stabilize clients.
• Meet a minimum of 20 billable units of service, or as otherwise assigned.

Clinical Supervision & Practice Excellence

• Provide clinical supervision to assigned therapists, including guidance on treatment planning, documentation, and professional development.
• Integrate specialty and evidence-based practices into service delivery and supervision to support consistent, high-quality care.
• Participate in and lead regular staff meetings focused on best practices, clinical interventions, and service improvement.

Program & Clinical Coordination

• Coordinate clinical aspects of assigned program areas to ensure efficient and effective service facilitation.
• Assist in managing the overall operation and treatment components of the behavioral health program in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Leadership Team.
• Provide clinical oversight of behavioral health services at the main location.

Documentation, Reporting & Compliance

• Complete all required record keeping and reporting to meet agency and external requirements, including:
  • Development and maintenance of goal-oriented treatment plans
  • Therapy progress notes and discharge summaries
  • Correspondence with collateral contacts and partner agencies
• Maintain compliance with agency policies, licensing standards, accreditation requirements, and contractual guidelines.

Court & Community Responsibilities

• Conduct court-ordered, comprehensive psychosocial assessments and provide expert testimony to support diagnostic evaluations and clinical recommendations.
• Determine the need for and coordinate community resources to support treatment goals.
• Attend community meetings and facilitate trainings as assigned.

Supervision & Administrative Oversight

• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with agency policy and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, evaluating, rewarding, and disciplining employees.
• Address staff concerns, resolve problems, and support team accountability.
• Oversee the Customer Support Specialist (CSS) at the main location, collaborating with the CSS team to ensure timely intake scheduling, effective processes, and administrative support.
• Collaborate with the billing department and CSS team to ensure proper billing practices, resolve billing-related issues, and minimize barriers to client care.

Requirements

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Education & Licensure

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related human services field.
• Independently Licensed by the State of Iowa.
• Training in specialty and evidence-based practices utilized by the clinical team.
• Ability to supervise other licensed therapists.

Experience & Skills

• Professional-level experience providing individual, family, and group therapy.
• Strong clinical judgment, leadership, and supervisory skills.
• Ability to interpret professional literature, regulations, and technical guidance.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Solid analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable with basic quantitative data and documentation requirements.

Physical, Technical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to perform standard clinical and office-based physical tasks, including occasional lifting up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to handle emergency situations effectively.
• Proficiency with agency computer systems and clinical software.

Special Requirements

• Maintain all required trainings and certifications per licensing, accreditation, contractual, and agency standards.
• Must drive for the job and provide reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and proof of auto insurance.

Be a part of something extraordinary!

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, disability, veteran, or other protected status.