Mental Health Therapist – Outpatient Behavioral Health

STORY COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER; Nevada (IA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

Story County Medical Center is seeking a Mental Health Therapist – Outpatient Behavioral Health for the Nevada Clinic. You will provide comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and adults, collaborating with primary care and specialty teams to deliver integrated, patient-centered care.

The role includes crisis intervention, treatment planning, and a focus on play therapy for younger children where feasible.

Qualifications

• Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work, Counseling, MFT, or related field.
• Current Iowa licensure allowing independent practice (MHC/LISW/MFT) or equivalent.
• Experience with play therapy preferred; willingness to pursue training.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial, behavioral health assessments for children, adolescents and adults.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals.
• Provide individual, family, couples, and group therapy as appropriate.
• Collaborate with primary care, nursing, care managers and specialists.
• Assist with crisis intervention, safety planning and transitions of care.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Clinical interviewing

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Education

Master’s or doctoral degree in Social Work, Counseling, MFT, or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Records

Job description

• Employee Type Salary

Story County Medical Center is seeking aMental Health Therapist – Outpatient Behavioral Health to join our team at the Nevada Clinic. This position provides comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and adults and works collaboratively with primary care providers, nursing staff, care coordinators, psychiatry providers, and community resources to provide integrated, patient-centered care.

Candidates must be comfortable and willing to serve patientsage 10 and older. Experience providing play therapy to younger children, or an interest in pursuing additional training in this area, is preferred as we work to expand services to younger patients.

Position Overview

The Mental Health Therapist provides behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling, crisis intervention, and consultation services. This position promotes emotional wellness, recovery, resiliency, and improved quality of life through evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

Flexible scheduling and hybrid work options may be available, depending on patient care needs, department operations, and the responsibilities of the position. We strive to provide flexibility while maintaining high-quality, accessible behavioral health services for our patients.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychosocial, behavioral health, and risk assessments and provide treatment to children, adolescents, and adults.

Evaluate patients for mental health, emotional, behavioral, and substance use concerns.

Formulate diagnostic impressions consistent with current DSM criteria and applicable scope of practice.

Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and objectives.

Provide individual, family, couples, and group therapy as appropriate.

Provide developmentally appropriate therapy to children and adolescents, incorporating play therapy as supported by the therapist’s training and experience.

Utilize evidence-based therapeutic modalities, monitor patient progress, and modify treatment plans as clinically indicated.

Maintain complete, accurate, and timely clinical documentation in the electronic health record.

Collaborate with Family Practice providers, nursing staff, care managers, and specialists regarding patient care needs.

Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews and care coordination.

Support behavioral health integration within primary care settings.

Provide consultation and education to medical staff regarding behavioral health concerns.

Assist with transitions of care and referrals to community resources or higher levels of care.

Assess patients for suicide risk, homicide risk, abuse, neglect, self-harm, and other safety concerns.

Provide crisis intervention and stabilization services as appropriate.

Coordinate emergency referrals when necessary.

Fulfill mandatory reporting responsibilities in accordance with federal and Iowa state law.

Educate patients and families regarding diagnoses, treatment options, coping skills, and available resources.

Promote patient engagement, self-management, and treatment adherence.

Participate in quality improvement, outcome measurement, community outreach, and behavioral health integration initiatives.

Qualifications

Education

Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited institution in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or another closely related behavioral health field that qualifies the individual for independent clinical licensure in Iowa.

Licensure and Certification

Current Iowa licensure allowing independent practice as one of the following:

Mental Health Counselor (MHC)

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

Licensed or certified as a mental health counselor, clinical professional counselor, or professional counselor by the State of Iowa.

Successfully complete Basic Life Support (BLS) requirements through the organization’s Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) program within 30 days of hire. Independent work may not occur until completion has been verified.

Maintain ongoing quarterly RQI competency requirements throughout employment.

Experience and Patient Population

At least two years and/or 3,000 hours of post-master’s clinical supervised experience providing psychotherapy services.

Two or more years of outpatient behavioral health experience.

Experience in integrated behavioral health or primary care settings.

Comfortable and willing to provide care to children age 10 and older, adolescents, and adults.

Preferred: Experience providing play therapy to younger children, or an interest in pursuing additional training in this area.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of behavioral health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment practices.

Knowledge of DSM diagnostic criteria.

Strong clinical interviewing and counseling skills.

Ability to assess and respond appropriately to crisis situations.

Ability to maintain therapeutic boundaries and professional relationships.

Knowledge of community behavioral health resources.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Proficiency with electronic health record systems and documentation requirements.

Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound clinical judgment.

Why Join Story County Medical Center?

At Story County Medical Center, we are committed to delivering healthcare excellence by listening to, partnering with, and caring for the communities of Story County — one person, one experience, one story at a time.

OurS.T.O.R.Y. Values guide how we serve our patients and work together:

Service – Deliver exceptional, quality care and customer service.

Teamwork – Support one another and work together toward shared goals.

Openness – Communicate openly, respectfully, and effectively.

Relationships – Build healthy, collaborative professional relationships.

Your Story – Recognize and value each person’s unique experiences, strengths, and perspectives.

Compensation

Salary range:$70,000–$105,000 annually, competitive and commensurate with experience.

Story County Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and federal law, SCMC provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Additional Requirement: Individuals cannot be on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Excluded Provider List.