Intake Clinician

Family & Children's Service of Ithaca•City of Ithaca, NY

2d•$70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Family & Children Services of Ithaca is seeking multiple full-time therapists to provide comprehensive initial assessments for people seeking mental health services, consult with clients about care options, and support them through referrals to treatment within or outside the agency. Approximately half of the role is evaluative and consultative; the remainder involves generalist mental health treatment across the lifespan using evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches. The position serves individuals and families in an outpatient setting with diagnosable mental health conditions and related interpersonal and systemic challenges, with opportunities to work with a wide range of concerns and acuity levels. The agency provides individual supervision, weekly clinical team meetings for case discussion, and other opportunities for consultation and support. It is a New York State Office of Mental Health licensed facility and follows the clinical practice and documentation guidelines for MHOTRS programs. Clinicians are expected to meet agency and OMH standards, maintain a full caseload and billable-hour metrics, coordinate care with internal and external partners, and respond after hours for urgent or crisis needs as needed.

Requirements

Master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy.
Ability to obtain an independent clinical license to practice in New York State, including diagnostic privilege if separately required for the license type, within three years of hire.
Previous education, training, and clinical experience in differential diagnostic assessment and evidence-based treatment of mental health conditions.
Knowledge of a full range of evidence-based clinical and non-clinical resources that can improve client mental health.
Ability to perform clinical duties from a culturally responsive perspective, incorporating aspects of client identity throughout assessment and treatment.

Nice To Haves

Independent clinical license, with diagnostic privilege if applicable to the license type.
Training and experience assessing and treating comorbid substance use disorders.
Experience with referral coordination and/or case management.
Ability to deliver mental health services in multiple languages.
Additional certifications or formal training in a specific evidence-based care modality.

Responsibilities

Conduct individual biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments to identify client needs, including whether clients meet DSM/ICD criteria for diagnoses treatable within the OMH MHOTRS program and the medical necessity standard for insurance-billable services.
Assist clients in connecting to mental health services provided within or outside the agency.
Collaboratively develop treatment plans with clients, including setting expectations for progress and determining when treatment goals have been met and the current episode of care can end.
Assess ongoing risk, including threats to self or others, and develop safety plans to mitigate risk.
Provide individual, couples, and/or family therapy using evidence-based, client-centered interventions directed toward treatment goals.
Follow agency and OMH documentation standards for content and timely completion.
Pursue continued professional growth through continuing education and supervision.
Use peer and supervisory consultation as needed, especially in high-risk situations.
Respond after hours to urgent or crisis needs of agency clients as needed.
Maintain a full caseload and meet clinical billable-hour performance metrics.
Collaborate with internal partners, including psychiatric team members, and external partners, such as primary care providers and schools, to coordinate client care.