Assessment and Diagnostic Clinician

Description:

Summary: Odyssey House of Utah is a leading organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals struggling with substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges. Our integrated approach combines evidence-based practices, clinical expertise, and a supportive environment to promote lasting recovery and overall well-being.

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding career journey where you can make a real difference? Your search ends here! We are actively seeking passionate professionals to join our team at multiple locations, offering a multitude of opportunities to support adolescents and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Job Location: Odyssey House Admissions Office

Compensation: $80,000/year - $90,000/year

Full-Time Benefits Include:

• $9,000/year tuition eligibility
• Paid continuing education/training opportunities
• Monthly incentives and awards
• Casual dress and atmosphere
• Health insurance: medical, dental, vision, FSA, long & short-term disability
• Competitive 403b Match after 1 year
• Accrue up to 34 paid days off annually
• Wellness perk: convert ½ of unused sick time to vacation at year-end
• Sabbatical program after 5 years of service (we pay you to take a vacation!)
• On-demand pay – access earned wages early (conditions apply)
• Extra time off & gift packages for employees after 90 days
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and more

Position Summary

The Assessment and Diagnostic Clinician is responsible for completing comprehensive clinical evaluations for clients entering Odyssey House, including adults, youth, parents with children, and clients with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI). This role conducts diagnostic interviews using DSM-5 criteria, determines ASAM and LOCUS level of care, evaluates substance use and mental health severity, performs suicide and safety risk screening, and produces insurance ready documentation that meets medical necessity, authorization, and regulatory requirements. The clinician participates in insurance peer to peer reviews as needed and works directly with courts and other external partners to provide clinically relevant information in a manner consistent with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2.

This position is central to the quality and financial stability of the organization. It requires advanced diagnostic skill, strong clinical judgment, high attention to detail, and exceptional written communication in a high volume admissions environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

• Complete biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for all assigned admissions across the lifespan, including adults, youth, parents with children, and SPMI populations.
• Formulate DSM-5 diagnoses and document clear "as evidenced by" support aligned with payer and audit standards.
• Evaluate co-occurring disorders, trauma history, criminogenic needs, functional impairments, social determinants, and client strengths.
• Administer and interpret standardized tools including OQ-45.2, PHQ-9, GAD-7, ACE, C-SSRS, CANS, LSI:R-SV and other funder or program required assessments.

2. ASAM and LOCUS Level of Care Determination

• Complete ASAM assessments across all six dimensions using ASAM 3rd Edition criteria for substance use and co-occurring conditions.
• Complete LOCUS assessments when required to determine mental health level of care and document level of care recommendations.
• Recommend level of care with written justification tied to severity, function, risk, recovery environment, and payer criteria.
• Consult with admissions leadership and medical or psychiatric providers when diagnostic or level of care questions arise.

3. Suicide Risk and Safety Screening

• Administer C-SSRS Screen at admission and initiate C-SSRS Since Last Visit versions as indicated.
• Develop Stanley Brown Safety Plans or Safety Plan Cards for clients with elevated suicide risk and ensure these are shared with receiving programs.
• Communicate high risk findings promptly to program leadership and participate in safety planning and disposition decisions.

4. Medical Necessity, Insurance Documentation, and Peer to Peer Reviews

• Produce timely, accurate documentation to support authorizations, continued stay reviews, and billing for Medicaid, commercial insurance, and county funding.
• Clearly document risk factors, functional impairment, and clinical rationales that support level of care and medical necessity.
• Participate in insurance peer to peer reviews as needed to clarify diagnostic impressions, risk, and clinical justification for requested levels of care.
• Collaborate with utilization management and billing staff to address payer questions and prevent denials.

5. Collaboration, Care Coordination, and External Partners

• Communicate diagnostic impressions, ASAM and LOCUS findings, and risk information to receiving clinical teams in a clear, usable format.
• Provide consultation to admissions, residential, and outpatient staff on assessment and diagnostic questions.
• Work directly with courts, probation and parole, child welfare, and other external partners to supply clinically relevant information in a manner that is compliant with HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, using appropriate releases of information and redisclosure limitations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary or case review meetings for complex or high risk admissions.

6. Compliance, Quality, and Data Integrity

• Maintain documentation in accordance with Joint Commission, Medicaid, SL County and internal QA standards.
• Use outcome tools such as OQ-45.2 and other measures to inform treatment planning and support diagnostic clarity.
• Participate in audits, peer review, supervision, and quality improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Follow all agency policies regarding confidentiality, information sharing, and record keeping.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Education and Licensure

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Clinical Mental Health
• Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or closely related field.
• Active Utah license such as LCSW, CMHC, LMFT, CSW, or ACMHC, consistent with program requirements.

Certifications

• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain within agency onboarding timelines.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong working knowledge of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis for substance use and mental health disorders, including SPMI.
• Proficiency in ASAM assessment and level of care determination.
• Familiarity with LOCUS and its use for determining mental health level of care and documenting clinical intensity needs.
• Experience administering and interpreting tools such as OQ-45.2, PHQ-9, GAD-7, ACE, C-SSRS, CANS, and similar assessment instruments.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, concise, clinically sound assessments that meet payer, court, and regulatory standards.
• Understanding of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 as they apply to clinical documentation, information sharing, and communication with courts and external partners.
• Ability to manage a high assessment volume while maintaining accuracy and professional boundaries.
• Experience working with diverse populations including adults, youth, parents with children, and individuals with SPMI and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods to conduct
• Interviews and complete documentation.
• Ability to work in a fast paced admissions environment
• With frequent coordination and communication across teams.

Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of required pre-employment screenings, which may include background checks, fingerprinting, applicable sex offender registry screenings for Adult Residential roles, and other position-related verifications. Roles requiring driving are subject to a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review and valid Utah driver’s license.

All employees of Odyssey House are required to adhere to: Odyssey House mission, philosophy, and scope of service; Division of Human Services Code of Conduct and all other relevant service contract requirement standards; ensuring a safe environment for all clients and staff; providing exemplary customer service to both internal and external customers; fostering a positive work environment; ensuring high-quality client care within the scope of the assigned position.

Each employee is expected to clearly understand roles and responsibilities regarding the following: Specific job position, time management, personnel file requirements, client record system, incident reporting, mandatory training requirements, maintaining proper client boundaries, and individual rights of clients and staff.

EEOC Statement: Odyssey House is an equal-opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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