Mental Health Therapist and Clinical Intake Specialist

Position Summary

The Mental Health Therapist and Clinical Intake Specialist works in Mary’s Center’s outpatient behavioral health clinic. This position performs intake assessments for participants seeking to enter behavioral health services at Mary’s Center.

The therapist provides initial assessment and triage for participants aged 7 and above on approximately 15 cases per week. In addition, this position provides ongoing mental health services in the form of individual and group psychotherapy, to include assessment, treatment planning, and psychotherapy.

Candidates must have current licensure to practice psychotherapy in the District of Columbia. Candidates must be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Reportability

This position will report directly to the Behavioral Health Intake Manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Intake Responsibilities

• Complete approximately 15 initial intake assessments per week for referrals ages 7+ to outpatient behavioral health clinic.
• Determine provisional diagnosis, priority treatment needs, and initial treatment recommendations.
• Participant in bi-weekly clinical case conference to triage acute cases and coordinate case assignments across all sites with Intake Manager and Intake Care Coordinators.
• Provide basic psychoeducation and support on managing mental health symptoms while assessing and triaging participants.
• Facilitate group therapy to participants assessed at intake and participants stepping down from therapy for whom this level and type of care is indicated.

Therapist Responsibilities

• Explain therapist’s role and participant rights and responsibilities, including confidentiality and mandated reporting.
• Complete a diagnostic assessment on all participants referred, gathering information from referral source, participant chart and other pertinent sources, including family members and past providers of care.
• Determine DSM-5 diagnosis.
• Complete treatment plan and authorizations for services as required by individual insurance payers.
• Provide individual and family therapy to assist participants in their insight development and achievement of personal goals identified in treatment planning process.
• Document all contacts, referrals, and other necessary information.
• Maintain participant records that are accurate, comprehensive, and adhere to documentation policies and billing timelines.
• Meet weekly productivity standards as set by Director.
• Engage families and significant others as needed to support treatment goals.
• Apply crisis management skills when necessary to stabilize participants.
• Maintain monthly statistics and provide reports as needed to Director.
• Participate in weekly case reviews of participants in peer group supervision.
• Accept and integrate the family’s values and culture into services.
• Provide 24 hour on-call phone support to participants in rotation with other therapists, 1-2 weeks per year or more as needed.
• Identify and participate in other trainings or committees that can further enhance professional growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities –

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field
• An entry-level license (LGSW, LMSW, or LGPC) to practice psychotherapy in the District of Columbia or Maryland (depending on job site).

Language Requirement – Must have the ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish as used by participants.

Physical Demands – Regularly required to sit; frequently required to reach with hands and arms, walk, talk or hear.

Work Environment – Mostly in a typical office and/or home setting with quiet to moderate noise level. May be exposed to extreme cold, heat, and humidity due to outside weather conditions. Opportunity to work a hybrid schedule – remotely & onsite, as needed.

The Benefits

• Health Insurance: medical, dental & vision – plus retirement options through 403(b) contribution and investment opportunities
• 25 days of paid leave annually (in addition to paid holidays), plus 5 educational days
• Tuition reimbursement of $2000/year towards education assistance and professional development
• Transportation subsidy via metro & bus
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)