Intake Therapist, Youth Recovery

Find Your Career at Jefferson Center for Mental Health • Lakewood, CO

5d

About The Position

The Intake Therapist is responsible for admissions for Jefferson Center’s Youth Residential Recovery (YRR) program. The role coordinates an efficient admissions process with referral sources, parents, youth, and YRR team members; reviews medical records to assess medical necessity under ASAM criteria; and determines the appropriate level of care. The therapist also provides clinical assessment, engagement, treatment and discharge planning, case management, and care coordination while maintaining professional, ethical, and culturally responsive practice.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited university or college.
• Two years of relevant experience and/or training.
• CAS or LAC required, or must be obtained within 18 months of hire.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license and a driving record that meets agency requirements.
• Staff working with youth must be in good medical, mental, physical, and emotional health, free from communicable diseases, and current on immunizations routinely recommended for adults.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull objects weighing up to 25 pounds; in rare and extreme CSU situations, may be required to assist in safely holding a youth for up to 60 seconds.
• Must remain awake throughout the entire shift.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish.
• Skills or experience in integrated health approaches.
• CPR/First Aid certification, or ability to obtain it within two months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and visitors arriving for intakes and coordinate transportation with referral sources as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate YRR admissions, maintain the waitlist tracker, and ensure priority-population clients receive preferential placement.
• Serve as an admissions liaison among stakeholders, communicating professionally and helping resolve problems.
• Enter client information into electronic medical record systems, assemble charts, distribute intake information to YRR team members, and complete end-of-shift census reports.
• Keep clinical team members informed about admission status and coordinate intake and admission efforts.
• Conduct ASAM assessments, evaluate referrals for appropriate level of care, and provide level-of-care referrals as needed for client needs and insurance or payor requirements.
• Identify risk factors, including suicide, homicide, and grave-disability risks; complete involuntary mental health holds under 27-65 protocols when appropriate and assist the Supervisor with involuntary commitment protocols.
• Provide behavioral and diagnostic assessments, initial engagement, treatment and discharge planning, case management, and wraparound services.
• Coordinate care with internal and external providers, obtain collateral information from family and providers as appropriate, and serve as a liaison with community agencies and referral sources.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings to review treatment and discharge planning.
• Follow mandated reporting requirements, Center policies and procedures, professional standards, regulatory requirements, and clinical guidelines.
• Attend required in-services and training, participate in supervision, report high-risk or problem cases, and take part in staff development.
• Meet documentation and productivity expectations, including submitting 90% of Progress-to-Date forms before the end of shift and completing 95% of paperwork by its due date.
• Build therapeutic alliances and respond to client needs with timely, respectful, culturally competent, recovery-focused care.
• Address clients’ whole-health needs by ensuring appropriate releases for physical health providers and making referrals when significant physical health needs arise.
• Use appropriate clinical and recovery-focused interventions within the scope of expertise, and apply trauma-informed care, addiction-treatment principles, and ASAM Criteria to service delivery.
• Complete required substance-use treatment licensing and billing paperwork, including Substance Abuse ROI and Discharge Plan.
• Promote a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment and use drug testing as a therapeutic tool in accordance with the Center’s approach.
• Remain awake for the entire shift and, when needed, provide qualified and credentialed support to another unit or team, including adult or youth services, within the scope of licensure and credentialing.

Benefits

• Youth Residential Recovery bonus totaling $5,000 for eligible employees: $1,500 at the one-month anniversary, $1,500 at six months, and $2,000 at one year. Eligibility requires at least 20 hours per week; bonuses are prorated for less than 40 hours per week and are earned only after continuous employment reaches the applicable bonus effective date. Current Jefferson Center employees are not eligible for the sign-on bonus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level