Therapist I - Bluffside Men's Recovery

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 Therapist I provides comprehensive clinical services within an ASAM Level 3.5 residential treatment setting for adult men with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. This role delivers integrated, trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions through individual and group therapy, while maintaining a manageable residential caseload.

The Therapist I actively participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning, conducts ongoing ASAM dimensional assessments, ensures accurate and timely documentation of medical necessity, and coordination care to support sustained recovery outcomes.

Compensation: between $50,000 and $63,255 per year (salary is determined by total years of relevant experience)

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related behavioral health field
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), or equivalent
• Provisionally licensed clinicians may be considered with appropriate supervision eligibility and experience
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Assessment and 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.

Treatment Planning and Clinical Services

• Develops, implements, and updates individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the client and treatment team.
• Reviews treatment plans at clinically and regulatory required intervals.
• Provides frequent individual therapy and multiple group therapy sessions per week consistent with ASAM Level 3.5 intensity.
• Delivers evidence-based interventions including:
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed skills
  • Trauma-informed clinical interventions
• Provides integrated treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Facilitates clinically appropriate group therapy in a structured residential setting.
• Supports skill acquisition and generalization within the therapeutic milieu and daily programming environment.

ASAM Level of Care and 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 daily structure.
• Monitors clinical progress across ASAM dimensions, including relapse risk, safety, and psychosocial stability.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, utilization review, and case consultation.

Risk Management and Crisis Intervention

• Conducts ongoing assessment and suicide risk, relapse risk, withdrawal concerns, and psychiatric stability.
• Provides crisis intervention and stabilization support as needed.
• Collaborates with medical and psychiatric providers regarding clinical or safety concerns.
• Ensures appropriate escalation of care when clinically indicated.

Documentation and Compliance

• Completes all clinical documentation in compliance with Iowa Administrative Code, ASAM standards, and payer requirements.
• Documents medical necessity, treatment progress, and service justification in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains complete and compliant clinical records meeting agency, state, and accreditation standards.
• Ensures documentation supports billing integrity and utilization review requirements.

Continuum of Care and Case Management

• Coordinates care with internal and external providers to ensure continuity of services.
• Develops discharge and continuing care plans aligned with ASAM level-of-care transitions.
• Makes referrals to community-based services and Heartland Family Service programs as appropriate.
• Follows up on referrals to ensure continuity and engagement in aftercare.

Team Collaboration and Professional Responsibilities

• Collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team in a residential setting.
• Participates in supervision, clinical consultation, and staff development activities.
• Participates in on-call rotation as assigned.
• Maintains professional boundaries, integrity, and ethical clinical practice at all times.
• Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and adherence to agency policies and procedures.
• Engaged in ongoing professional development and continuing education in substance use and mental health.
• Performs other program-related duties as assigned.