Intake Therapist

Generous PTO

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance

401(k) matching

Job Summary

Armada Recovery of Dayton is seeking a dedicated and compassionate

Intake Therapist to join our Clinical Services team. As an essential member of the organization, the Intake Therapist conducts comprehensive behavioral health and substance use assessments, completes diagnostic evaluations, and determines appropriate levels of care for individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. This position plays a key role in ensuring a welcoming, trauma-informed admissions experience while maintaining timely, accurate, and compliant clinical documentation.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Evaluation

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, mental status examinations, and substance use evaluations in accordance with Ohio Medicaid and Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) requirements.
• Complete diagnostic impressions utilizing DSM-5-TR criteria.
• Determine appropriate ASAM level of care and treatment recommendations.
• Assess for risk factors including suicidality, homicidality, substance withdrawal, and medical or psychiatric instability, implementing appropriate interventions as necessary.
• Develop initial treatment recommendations and coordinate referrals to appropriate services.

Admission Coordination

• Facilitate intake scheduling, admission interviews, and pre-admission screenings.
• Assist new clients through the admissions process, including review of program expectations, patient rights, confidentiality practices, and consent forms.
• Evaluate treatment readiness and identify immediate support needs, including detoxification services, housing assistance, transportation, medical care, or crisis intervention.
• Coordinate admission decisions and transitions into appropriate levels of care.

Documentation and Compliance

• Complete all required intake documentation within established timeframes, including assessments, ASAM evaluations, treatment recommendations, authorizations, releases of information, and other required forms.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation within the electronic health record (EHR).
• Ensure documentation complies with Ohio Medicaid, OhioMHAS, accreditation standards, and organizational requirements.
• Verify insurance benefits and support authorization processes when required.

Communication and Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and care coordination activities.
• Communicate assessment findings and treatment recommendations to clinical staff and leadership.
• Collaborate with referral partners, including hospitals, detoxification providers, community mental health agencies, courts, probation departments, child welfare agencies, and healthcare providers.
• Maintain professional relationships with referral sources and community stakeholders while adhering to confidentiality requirements.

Risk Management and Crisis Response

• Identify and respond to behavioral health crises, safety concerns, and emergent clinical needs during the intake process.
• Facilitate referrals for emergency medical, psychiatric, detoxification, or crisis intervention services when indicated.
• Utilize trauma-informed practices, de-escalation techniques, and safety planning protocols.
• Document and communicate critical incidents according to agency policy and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral health field.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, or a related clinical setting.
• Current Ohio licensure in good standing, including one of the following:
• LPCC or LPC
• LISW or LSW
• IMFT or MFT
• LICDC, LCDC II, LCDC III, or equivalent Ohio chemical dependency credential
• Eligibility to provide services under Ohio Medicaid requirements.
• Knowledge of ASAM Criteria, DSM-5-TR, OhioMHAS regulations, and Ohio Medicaid behavioral health standards.
• Experience utilizing electronic health records (EHR) systems.

Preferred

• Experience conducting assessments in substance use treatment, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, or crisis settings.
• Experience obtaining prior authorizations and working with managed care organizations.
• Knowledge of Ohio behavioral health resources and community support systems.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and treatment recommendation skills.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and evidence-based treatment practices.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to ethical practice, confidentiality, cultural competence, and trauma-informed care.

Physical and Working Conditions

• Ability to sit for extended periods while conducting assessments and completing documentation.
• Ability to use computers, telehealth platforms, and EHR systems.
• Local travel may be required for hospital screenings, community assessments, outreach activities, or referral meetings.
• Flexible schedule, including occasional evening or weekend coverage based on organizational needs.

Compliance and Ethics

• All work must comply with HIPAA, OhioMHAS regulations, Ohio Medicaid requirements, accreditation standards, and Armada Recovery of Dayton policies and procedures.
• Employees are required to maintain active licensure or certification and complete all mandatory trainings, credentialing requirements, and documentation audits.
• Uphold professional ethics and practice within the scope of licensure and credentialing requirements.

About Armada Recovery Of Dayton

At Armada Recovery of Dayton, we are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. We believe recovery begins with a supportive and respectful admissions experience, and our Intake Therapists play a vital role in helping individuals take the first step toward lasting recovery.

Join our team and help make a meaningful difference in the lives of those seeking hope, healing, and recovery.