What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Licensed Therapist position at U.S.VETS?
Description
Lead Licensed Therapist
The Lead Licensed Therapist reports directly to the Director of Behavioral Health (DBH) and is responsible for supervising associate therapists and student interns in addition to providing a range of psychosocial services including community outreach, counseling (individual and group), and referral services as part of a multidisciplinary team for Veterans and service members who are experiencing homelessness.
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Supervision
Requirements
Lead Licensed Therapist
The Lead Licensed Therapist reports directly to the Director of Behavioral Health (DBH) and is responsible for supervising associate therapists and student interns in addition to providing a range of psychosocial services including community outreach, counseling (individual and group), and referral services as part of a multidisciplinary team for Veterans and service members who are experiencing homelessness.
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Supervision
- Serve as direct supervisor to associate therapist(s) and student intern(s) delivering veteran-specific behavioral health services
- Participate in clinical case conferences, team huddles, and staff development activities
- Ensure treatment plans reflect a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach in alignment with evidence-based practices
- Assist the DBH with performance evaluations, clinical onboarding, and training for clinical staff
- Facilitate substance abuse recovery groups tailored to veterans using modalities such as CBT, Seeking Safety, MI, and 12-step principles
- Provide individual and group therapy to veterans with co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnoses
- Develop and implement veteran-centric programming focused on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and military trauma
- Serve as a resource for high-acuity cases and support clinical crisis intervention when necessary
- Ensure timely, complete, and compliant documentation in My Case Records (MCR) the electronic health record
- Ensure timely completion of monthly billing with clinical coding accuracy to meet billing requirements
- Work closely with DBH and Budget Analyst to review and resolve discrepancies to ensure maximum reimbursement
- Support medical necessity documentation and authorization processes for third-party payers
- Coordinate care with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Vet Centers, and other veteran-serving agencies
- Lead or participate in strategic program planning, clinical audits, outcome measurement, and continuous quality improvement (CQI)
- Contribute to grant reporting and compliance efforts related to VA-funded programs (e.g., GPD, SSG Fox SPGP, HUD-VASH)
- Represent the program in community outreach, advocacy, and professional events as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
- Mental health counseling principles, practices, and applications to include military cultural competency (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse)
- Psychosocial assessment modalities, principles, and practices
- Networking, partnership building, outreach, and public speaking
- Crisis intervention and disruptive behavior management (e.g., responding to threats of self-harm or hostility toward others)
- Educational and vocational counseling principles, practices, and applications (e.g., employability and employment stability)
- File documentation practices and electronic records management
- Community resources
- Federal regulations and policies (e.g., HIPAA, Privacy Acts, and professional ethics)
- Maintains professional standards and demeanor, including the confidentiality of client data and other sensitive information
Requirements
- A Master's degree in Psychology, Counseling, or a related human services field
- Independent professional licensure in the state where site is located which includes meeting state requirements for conducting Alcohol and Drug Counseling in the state and/or an additional license/certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- Experience in Medicaid approved assessments and Medicaid billing procedures (preferred)
- Broad knowledge of and two years direct clinical experience using evidenced-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Seeking Safety, and Trauma Informed Care
- Flexibility in scheduling
- Valid driver’s license required. Must meet company insurance requirements and complete a provided driver training course.
- Ability to take direction, work independently and with a team
- Knowledge/experience working with veterans (preferred)
- Knowledge/experience working with homeless populations (preferred)