Lead Therapist

Founded in 1875, our agency has grown over the years to address most of the challenges children, adults, families, and communities face across the lifespan, including substance use, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence/sexual assault, human trafficking, homelessness, juvenile justice, mental health, neighborhood distress, and poverty. Today, we offer 42 programs from 20 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. At Heartland Family Service, we are committed to building a culture that values and celebrates diversity in addition to creating a trauma-informed environment.  Trauma Informed Care is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives.  Trauma Informed Care also acknowledges the effects of working with trauma survivors on our workforce and seeks to build collaborative and supportive working environments and relationships.

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative, and team-oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

SUMMARY OF PROGRAM

Bluffside Men’s Recovery is a Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Program (ASAM Level 3.5) serving adult men with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. The program provides structured therapeutic support within a safe recovery-oriented environment designed to promote stabilization, engagement in treatment, and successful community reintegration. Services integrate evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and medication-assisted treatment (when clinically indicated), supported by individualized treatment planning to address each client’s unique needs and recovery goals. 

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Lead Therapist provides comprehensive clinical services within an ASAM Level 3.5 residential treatment program for adults with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders while serving as a clinical leader, mentor, and resource for the treatment team. This unique role maintains an active clinical caseload while supporting program quality through staff training, clinical consultation, mentorship, and guidance for therapists who are developing their clinical skills.

The Lead Therapist delivers integrated, trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions through individual and group therapy; participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning; conducts ongoing ASAM multidimensional assessments; ensures accurate and timely documentation of medical necessity; and coordinates care to support sustained recovery outcomes. In addition to direct clinical responsibilities, the Lead Therapist promotes clinical excellence by assisting with therapist onboarding, supporting evidence-based practice implementation, providing clinical consultation, and collaborating with leadership to strengthen program operations and clinical consistency.

Compensation: between $56,500 - $71,400 (Determined by total years of relevant experience)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:30PM (40 hours per week)

Click to see benefits and company perks

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related behavioral health field
• License Eligible – LMHP; LIMHP; LMSW; LCSW
• LADC or CADC or substance abuse treatment experience preferred
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Assessment & ASAM Framework

• Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code requirements.
• Completes and maintains ASAM multidimensional assessments (Dimensions 1-6) and updates them throughout the continuum of care.
• Formulates DSM-5 diagnostic impressions and clinically indicated treatment recommendations.
• Determines and documents medical necessity for admission, continued stay, transfer, and discharge decisions.
• Completes comprehensive substance use and mental health evaluations utilizing evidence-based assessment practices.
• Serves as a clinical resource to therapists completing assessments and evaluations.

Treatment Planning & Clinical Services

• Develops, implements, and updates individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the client and treatment team.
• Ensures treatment plans are established within required timeframes and reflect measurable goals, interventions, and client participation.
• Reviews and updates treatment plans according to clinical, regulatory, and payer requirements.
• Provides individual, family, and group therapy consistent with ASAM Level 3.5 intensity.
• Delivers evidence-based interventions including:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed interventions
• Trauma-informed clinical practices
• Provides integrated treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Facilitates clinically appropriate psychoeducational and process groups.
• Supports skill acquisition and generalization within the therapeutic milieu.
• Manages a clinical caseload that may include individuals presenting with the highest levels of clinical complexity.

Clinical Leadership, Mentorship & Program Development

• Serves as a clinical mentor and resource for therapists, providing coaching, consultation, and guidance related to assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and evidence-based clinical practice.
• Assists with onboarding and training newly hired therapists on clinical standards, documentation expectations, program procedures, and agency practices.
• Provides clinical consultation and support when the Clinical Supervisor is unavailable, while operating within scope of role and licensure.
• Assists clinicians in developing high-quality evaluations, treatment plans, and clinical interventions.
• Promotes consistency in clinical practice across the treatment team.
• Supports therapists in maintaining high standards of clinical documentation, billing compliance, and professional practice.
• Assists with development, organization, and maintenance of clinical training materials, curricula, and program resources.
• Provides mentorship and support to interns and student learners as assigned.
• Models ethical practice, professionalism, and effective self-care strategies while encouraging healthy work-life balance among developing clinicians.

ASAM Level of Care & Residential Program Responsibilities

• Provides clinical services consistent with ASAM Level 3.5 Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Treatment criteria.
• Participates in daily therapeutic milieu activities as clinically indicated.
• Supports behavioral interventions, coping skill development, and recovery-oriented programming.
• Monitors clinical progress across ASAM dimensions, including relapse risk, psychiatric stability, recovery environment, and readiness for change.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, utilization review, and case consultation.
• Assists with client admissions, transfers, discharges, and overall clinical program operations.
• Represents the clinical team in interdisciplinary meetings and agency initiatives as requested.

Risk Management & Crisis Intervention

• Conducts ongoing assessment of suicide risk, relapse risk, withdrawal concerns, and psychiatric stability.
• Provides crisis intervention and stabilization services.
• Collaborates with psychiatric and medical providers regarding clinical concerns.
• Ensures appropriate escalation of care when clinically indicated.
• Serves as a clinical resource to staff during complex or high-risk clinical situations.

Documentation, Billing & Regulatory Compliance

• Completes all clinical documentation in compliance with Iowa Administrative Code, ASAM standards, accreditation standards, and payer requirements.
• Documents medical necessity, treatment progress, and service justification accurately and within required timelines.
• Maintains complete clinical records supporting quality care, billing integrity, and utilization review.
• Meets third-party payer requirements, including authorizations, concurrent reviews, and required clinical documentation.
• Assists therapists in developing sustainable documentation practices while ensuring compliance with regulatory and agency standards.
• Completes required reports, statistics, and other program documentation accurately and timely.

Continuum of Care & Community Collaboration

• Coordinates care with internal and external providers to ensure continuity of treatment.
• Develops discharge and continuing care plans aligned with ASAM level-of-care transitions.
• Collaborates with Heartland Family Service programs to improve continuity of care and strengthen referral pathways.
• Makes referrals to community resources and follows up to promote successful engagement in aftercare services.

Team Collaboration & Professional Responsibilities

• Collaborates as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Participates in clinical supervision, consultation, staff meetings, and ongoing quality improvement activities.
• Participates in the on-call rotation as assigned.
• Maintains professional boundaries, integrity, confidentiality, and ethical clinical practice.
• Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and accountability in attendance and work performance.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and continuing education.
• Develops and maintains an individualized self-care plan.
• Supports agency initiatives, community partnerships, and opportunities that strengthen Heartland Family Service's mission and visibility.
• Performs other program-related duties as assigned.
• Essential functions of this position are performed on-site at designated Heartland Family Service work locations.
• Abides by all agency policies, program procedures, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements.