Advanced Behavioral Health Clinician
Job Description
Job Purpose
The Advanced Behavioral Health Clinician – Youth STAR coordinates access to youth behavioral health services by conducting timely, trauma-informed intake assessments and facilitating appropriate service placement. This role collaborates with youth, families, referral sources, and clinical teams to ensure effective service linkage, continuity of care, and compliance with program and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
- Must meet Missouri licensure requirements or be eligible to begin clinical supervision.
Core Job Duties
- Conduct intake assessments for children and adolescents referred to Youth STAR services.
- Complete interpretive summaries based on assessment findings and diagnostic interviews.
- Use approved assessment tools to identify needs, strengths, risks, and safety concerns.
- Conduct individual therapy sessions with the client(s).
- Develop person-centered recovery care plans with SMART goals and interventions.
- Complete required documentation and reports in a timely manner.
- Gather collateral information from caregivers, schools, courts, DFS/CPS, and other providers.
- Coordinate crisis response or higher levels of care when clinically indicated.
- Determine appropriate Youth STAR services based on clinical needs and eligibility.
- Provide brief interventions, psychoeducation, and caregiver support as appropriate.
- Review documentation for quality, accuracy, and medical necessity.
- Support clinical decision-making related to risk and level of care.
- Provide clinical guidance to staff to support evidence-based, person-centered care.
- Consult on complex cases during clinical staffing meetings as needed.
- Facilitate referrals to external providers or higher levels of care when necessary.
- Monitor intakes, referrals, waitlists, and follow-up needs.
- Identify and communicate barriers impacting access to services.
- Communicate professionally with referral sources and community partners.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support continuity of care.
- Maintain working knowledge of DSM diagnostic criteria and behavioral health disorders.
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development activities.
- Adherence to all applicable evidence-based practice models.
- Orally communicate information effectively and accurately.
- Assure program operates within the constraints of the agency’s certification (CARF, DMH) standards and strategic plan related to clinical care.
- Abide by program and agency policies and procedures.
- Other job duties and special projects as assigned.