Intake Therapist

Spark Recovery -

Job Title: Intake Clinician

Location: Indiana
Department: Admissions & Clinical Services
Reports To: Clinical Director or Admissions Supervisor
Employment Status: Full-Time (Non-Exempt or Exempt, depending on licensure)

Job Summary

The Intake Clinician is responsible for conducting comprehensive behavioral health assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and level-of-care determinations for individuals seeking services for substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorders. This role is vital to ensuring appropriate placement and treatment planning and operates in compliance with Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), Indiana Medicaid, The Joint Commission (TJC), and other relevant regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Intake Clinician facilitates a welcoming and trauma-informed admissions process, engages with clients and their families in a culturally responsive manner, and ensures timely documentation to support clinical decision-making and reimbursement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Evaluation

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and mental status exams in accordance with Medicaid and DMHA requirements.

• Complete diagnostic impressions using DSM-5-TR criteria and determine appropriate ASAM level of care.

• Assess risk factors such as suicidality, homicidality, and medical or psychiatric instability, and coordinate interventions as needed.

• Obtain collateral information from family, referral sources, or external providers as appropriate.

2. Admission Coordination

• Facilitate intake scheduling, admission interviews, and pre-admission screenings.

• Assist in onboarding new clients by reviewing program expectations, patient rights, and consent forms.

• Determine treatment readiness and identify immediate support needs (e.g., housing, detox, medical care).

• Collaborate with nursing, case management, and clinical teams to ensure a seamless transition into care.

3. Documentation and Compliance

• Complete all required intake documents within required timeframes, including intake assessments, ASAMs, treatment authorizations, and release of information forms.

• Maintain timely, accurate documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) that meets standards set by Medicaid, DMHA, and TJC.

• Assist with prior authorization and utilization review documentation as needed for payer approval.

4. Communication and Collaboration

• Participate in clinical team meetings and staffing to communicate findings and coordinate care plans.

• Provide feedback to referral sources and stakeholders, with appropriate releases.

• Collaborate with referral partners including hospitals, detox centers, courts, probation officers, and DCS.

5. Risk Management and Crisis Response

• Assess for emergent needs during intake and initiate immediate referrals for medical or psychiatric intervention when indicated.

• Utilize trauma-informed, de-escalation, and safety planning protocols when needed.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or Marriage and Family Therapy.

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in behavioral health, substance use, or crisis intervention services.

Required Licensure or Certification:

• Must hold one of the following Indiana licenses or temporary permits:

• LMHC, LMHCA, LCSW, LSW, LMFT, LMFTA, or LCAC/LCACA

• Must meet Indiana Medicaid requirements as a Behavioral Health Practitioner for billing purposes.

• Must complete and maintain DMHA-required clinical documentation standards and training.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, DSM-5-TR, Indiana Medicaid Provider Manual, and DMHA admission standards.

• Experience using electronic health record systems.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong diagnostic and clinical formulation skills.

• Familiarity with Indiana’s public behavioral health system and local resources.

• Demonstrated ability to build rapport quickly with diverse populations.

• Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and time-management skills.

• Commitment to ethical standards, confidentiality, and trauma-informed care.

Physical and Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for extended periods for interviews and documentation.

• Must be able to travel locally for off-site assessments or hospital consults as needed.

• Evening/weekend intake coverage is required depending on agency needs.

Compliance and Ethics

• All work must comply with HIPAA, TJC, DMHA, Medicaid, and Spark Recovery policies.

• Employees must complete all annual training, credentialing, and documentation audits as required by regulators or payers.

• Uphold ethical standards of care and practice within scope of licensure.