ABHS·Scranton, Pennsylvania
The Primary Therapist serves as the clinical lead for residents, managing the creation and implementation of Individualized Treatment Plans. They provide high-intensity therapeutic interventions and ensure all clinical services meet medical necessity standards for residential care.
The Primary Therapist is the primary clinical lead for an assigned caseload of residents within the facility. The Primary Therapist is responsible for the creation, implementation, and regular review of Individualized Treatment Plans (ITPs). This role involves providing high-intensity therapeutic interventions, conducting comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, and ensuring that all clinical services meet the "Medical Necessity" standards for residential care. The Primary Therapists work as part of a multidisciplinary team to move residents toward successful community reintegration.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning
Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments for new residents within the state-mandated time frames.
Develop, write, and update Individualized Treatment Plans (ITPs) as required by the state regulatory bodies, ensuring goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and reflect the resident’s voice.
Interpret clinical data to identify trends in resident behavior and adjust treatment strategies accordingly.
2. Therapeutic Interventions
Provide individual, group, and family therapy sessions utilizing evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or Trauma-Informed Care (TIC).
Facilitate specialized clinical groups focused on symptom management, emotional regulation, and recovery skills.
Provide clinical "real-time" intervention and de-escalation for residents experiencing acute psychological distress.
3. Documentation and Regulatory Compliance
Maintain precise and timely clinical documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) according to state regulations and national accreditation bodies(The Joint Commission).
Prepare comprehensive discharge summaries and transition plans in collaboration with the Case Manager.
Ensure all documentation supports the "Medical Necessity" of the residential level of care for insurance utilization reviews (UR).
4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Participate in weekly Treatment Team meetings to provide clinical updates.
Provide clinical consultation to Behavioral Health Technicians (BHTs) to ensure the therapeutic milieu is consistent with residents’ treatment goals.
Coordinate with external providers to ensure a seamless continuum of care.
Market context
Behavioral health employers in Pennsylvania often seek candidates with direct patient care experience, and roles can be more competitive when applicants also bring phlebotomy certification or experience in crisis, detox, or acute psychiatric settings. This posting requires a high school diploma or GED plus at least one year of patient care experience, and the listed requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description to save you research time. If you’re considering applying, review whether your experience matches the setting and be ready to highlight any behavioral-health or phlebotomy background.
