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We recognize the health disparities of people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women and LGBTQ people. We believe that the experiences of these communities must be valued in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.  For immediate consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter with our application form.

Portland Mental Health & Wellness is a thriving private practice and training practice with four locations in Portland, as well as one location in Salem. We are a collaboration of psychologists, psychiatric prescribers, counselors, marriage and family therapists and our trainees. We emphasize relationship first and foremost and diagnosis and treatment from within that relationship.

We strongly emphasize trauma informed care, cultural competency, establishing comfort and safety for patients, and coordination of care with primary care doctors, specialists, pediatricians, schools, and other mental health clinicians.

IOP Clinical Intake Specialist

Location: Portland, OR
Supervisor: Director of Intensive Outpatient Programs
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Salary: Pre-Licensed: $68,500 annually | Licensed: $80,000 annually

Primary Function

The IOP Clinical Intake Specialist is a master’s-level clinician responsible for completing diagnostic assessments, safety and risk evaluations, and level-of-care determinations for individuals seeking IOP services. This role serves as the first clinical point of contact for many patients and is essential to ensuring appropriate placement, continuity of care, and a smooth transition into programming.

This is a clinical role — not an administrative or business development position — however, the Intake Specialist collaborates closely with PMHW’s Business Developer to support referral relationships by operationalizing access, intake follow-up, and clinically grounded communication related to admissions and program fit.

The role requires strong assessment skills, trauma-informed engagement, and close collaboration with therapists, prescribers, intake staff, program leadership, and business development.

Essential Functions

Clinical Assessment & Intake

  • Conduct comprehensive diagnostic assessments using DSM-5 criteria

  • Complete risk assessments, safety planning, and crisis triage as needed

  • Determine appropriateness for IOP using ASAM, LOCUS, or equivalent frameworks

  • Develop initial treatment recommendations and coordinate clinical handoff

  • Document all encounters per PMHW, payer, and compliance standards

Care Coordination & Program Support

  • Identify safety concerns including SI, HI, SUD, and acute symptom escalation

  • Engage in collaborative safety planning and escalation protocols

  • Recommend alternate levels of care when IOP is not clinically appropriate

  • Support continuity of care with internal teams and external providers

Referral & Business Development Support (Adjunct)

  • Follow up on referrals from established referral relationships

  • Provide timely, clinically accurate communication regarding:

    • IOP admission criteria

    • Intake process and timelines

    • Program structure and expectations

    • Inclusion/exclusion criteria and clinical fit

  • Support intake-related administrative coordination

  • Participate in outreach or networking events as a clinical resource

  • Ensure consistent, clinically grounded messaging between business development and intake operations

Documentation & Compliance

  • Maintain timely, accurate, high-quality documentation

  • Support medical necessity documentation and authorizations

  • Follow PMHW policies, HIPAA requirements, and ethical standards

Team Engagement & Professional Development

  • Participate in weekly clinical meetings and case consultation

  • Engage in supervision (for pre-licensed staff)

  • Contribute to a healthy, supportive, and values-driven team culture

Trauma-Informed & Culturally Responsive Practice

This role requires exceptional relational skill, trauma-informed presence, and cultural responsiveness. The Intake Specialist must engage individuals from diverse backgrounds with compassion, professionalism, and emotional regulation, particularly during moments of vulnerability or crisis.

Key expectations include:

  • Demonstrating trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally humble practice

  • Communicating with warmth, clarity, and transparency

  • Navigating sensitive conversations with empathy and respect

  • Adapting communication for diverse cultural, linguistic, and access needs

  • Maintaining professionalism in referral-facing environments

  • Engaging in ongoing self-reflection and professional growth

Qualifications

Required:

  • Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, MFT, or related field

  • Meets QMHP or QMHP-Associate qualifications (Oregon)

  • Strong diagnostic skills and DSM-5 proficiency

  • Experience with risk assessment and crisis evaluation

  • Demonstrated trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice

  • Ability to work with moderate to high-acuity populations

Preferred:

  • Active Oregon licensure or pre-licensure (LPC, LMFT, LCSW)

  • Training in trauma, crisis intervention, DEAI, or anti-oppressive practice

  • Experience in IOP, PHP, crisis services, ED behavioral health, or high-acuity settings

  • Familiarity with ASAM/LOCUS

  • Bilingual or multicultural clinical experience

Equipment Operated: Standard office equipment, including computers, copiers, printers, telephones, etc. 

Work Environment: When working from a PMHW office, the position is in a well-lit office environment. Varied activities including sitting, standing, walking, reaching, bending, and lifting.

Mental and Physical Requirements: Involves sitting approximately 90 percent of the day, walking or standing the remainder. Ability to tolerate mental and emotional distress as an anticipated aspect of the position. May require working under stressful conditions.

Portland Mental Health & Wellness offers a competitive benefits package for full-time therapists that includes:

  • Paid Vacation Time (80 hours per year)
  • Paid Health Leave (40 hours per year)
  • Paid Floating Holiday Hours (80 hours per year)
  • All Paid Time Off Contributes to Clinical Encounter Hours
  • Guaranteed Minimum Income for Clinicians on the Flat Rate Compensation Model
  • Medical and Vision Insurance – Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest (choice of three plans)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Employer Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Voluntary Additional Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
  • Voluntary Accident Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account, Health Care
  • Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care
  • Commuter Benefit – Choice of Subsidized TriMet Pass or Limited Parking Reimbursement
  • 401K Retirement Plan – Up to 4% Company Match Once Eligible
  • Discounted Enrollment with Student Loan Tutor
  • 10% Discount on Vitamins & Supplements Through Fullscript
  • Limited Access to Columbia Sportswear Employee Store
  • OnPoint Community Credit Union Group Banking Benefits
  • Free Access to Continuing Education Platforms 
  • Opportunities for Provision of Supervision and Training for Eligible Clinicians
  • Annual Continuing Education Allowance of $1,000
  • Weekly Clinical Consultation Groups

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This description is intended to provide only the basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as the practice’s needs evolve. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of every job.

The physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. By signing below, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the Essential Functions of this job, with or without accommodation. If an accommodation is needed, you have an opportunity to discuss this with Human Resources.

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It’s essential to clarify that at Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we hire W-2 employees for most positions, rather than contractors. This decision reflects our commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the highest standards of care.

In Oregon, the distinction between W-2 employees and contractors holds significant legal and ethical implications. By hiring W-2 employees, we ensure that our staff receive fair wages, benefits, and protections mandated by state labor laws. This includes access to healthcare, paid leave, and workers’ compensation, fostering a supportive and secure work environment.

Moreover, hiring W-2 employees allows us to maintain consistent quality control and oversight over our services. We prioritize building a team of dedicated professionals who share our values and commitment to providing exceptional mental health care to our clients. This ensures continuity of care and fosters trust within our community.

At Portland Mental Health & Wellness, we believe that investing in our employees translates to better outcomes for our clients. By hiring W-2 employees, we uphold our commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence in mental health care delivery. Join us in our mission to promote holistic well-being and support the mental health needs of individuals and families in Portland and beyond.

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Portland Mental Health is an equal opportunity employer. We support and encourage diversity.