Therapist I - Bluffside Men's Recovery

If you believe in our mission of creating healthy families and communities, and like a fast pace, collaborative, and team-oriented environment, then Heartland Family Service is the agency for you.

Summary of program

Bluffside Men’s Recovery is a Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Program (ASAM Level 3.5) serving adult men with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. The program provides structured therapeutic support within a safe recovery-oriented environment designed to promote stabilization, engagement in treatment, and successful community reintegration. Services integrate evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and medication-assisted treatment (when clinically indicated), supported by individualized treatment planning to address each client’s unique needs and recovery goals.

Summary of position

The Therapist I provides comprehensive clinical services within an ASAM Level 3.5 residential treatment setting for adult men with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. This role delivers integrated, trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions through individual and group therapy, while maintaining a manageable residential caseload.

The Therapist I actively participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning, conducts ongoing ASAM dimensional assessments, ensures accurate and timely documentation of medical necessity, and coordination care to support sustained recovery outcomes.

Compensation: between $50,000 and $63,255 per year (salary is determined by total years of relevant experience)

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week

Click to see benefits and company perks [https://www.heartlandfamilyservice.org/careers/]

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, or related behavioral health field
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), or equivalent
• Provisionally licensed clinicians may be considered with appropriate supervision eligibility and experience
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Clinical Assessment and ASAM Framework
• Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code requirements.
• Completes and maintains ASAM multidimensional assessments (Dimensions 1-6) and updates them throughout the continuum of care.
• Formulates DSM-5 diagnostic impressions and clinically indicated treatment recommendations.
• Determines and documents medical necessity for admission, continued stay, transfer, and discharge decisions.

• Treatment Planning and Clinical Services
• Develops, implements, and updates individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the client and treatment team.
• Reviews treatment plans at clinically and regulatory required intervals.
• Provides frequent individual therapy and multiple group therapy sessions per week consistent with ASAM Level 3.5 intensity.
• Delivers evidence-based interventions including:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-informed skills
• Trauma-informed clinical interventions
• Provides integrated treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Facilitates clinically appropriate group therapy in a structured residential setting.
• Supports skill acquisition and generalization within the therapeutic milieu and daily programming environment.

• ASAM Level of Care and Residential Program Responsibilities
• Provides clinical services consistent with ASAM Level 3.5 clinically managed high-intensity residential treatment criteria.
• Participates in daily therapeutic milieu activities as clinically indicated.
• Supports behavioral interventions, coping skill development, and recovery-oriented daily structure.
• Monitors clinical progress across ASAM dimensions, including relapse risk, safety, and psychosocial stability.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, utilization review, and case consultation.

• Risk Management and Crisis Intervention
• Conducts ongoing assessment and suicide risk, relapse risk, withdrawal concerns, and psychiatric stability.
• Provides crisis intervention and stabilization support as needed.
• Collaborates with medical and psychiatric providers regarding clinical or safety concerns.
• Ensures appropriate escalation of care when clinically indicated.

• Documentation and Compliance
• Completes all clinical documentation in compliance with Iowa Administrative Code, ASAM standards, and payer requirements.
• Documents medical necessity, treatment progress, and service justification in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains complete and compliant clinical records meeting agency, state, and accreditation standards.
• Ensures documentation supports billing integrity and utilization review requirements.

• Continuum of Care and Case Management
• Coordinates care with internal and external providers to ensure continuity of services.
• Develops discharge and continuing care plans aligned with ASAM level-of-care transitions.
• Makes referrals to community-based services and Heartland Family Service programs as appropriate.
• Follows up on referrals to ensure continuity and engagement in aftercare.

• Team Collaboration and Professional Responsibilities
• Collaborates as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team in a residential setting.
• Participates in supervision, clinical consultation, and staff development activities.
• Participates in on-call rotation as assigned.
• Maintains professional boundaries, integrity, and ethical clinical practice at all times.
• Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and adherence to agency policies and procedures.
• Engaged in ongoing professional development and continuing education in substance use and mental health.
• Performs other program-related duties as assigned.