Licensed Therapist (LCPC/LCSW-C) Needed Immediately for Outpatient Mental Health & Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Agency
Full-Time/Part-Time, Monday-Friday
About Us
The ARK of MD is a behavioral healthcare organization providing outpatient mental health and rehabilitation services to individuals in the Baltimore community. We are committed to delivering quality, person-centered care while fostering a collaborative environment where our team members can grow and make a meaningful impact.
We're seeking professionals who are committed to making a positive difference in the communities we serve. If you're looking for a collaborative environment where you can grow professionally while helping others, we encourage you to apply.
Position Overview
The Licensed Therapist provides direct outpatient mental health services — including individual, group, and family therapy, diagnostic assessment, crisis management, and treatment planning — within the agency's Outpatient Mental Health Center (OMHC), licensed under COMAR 10.63.03.05. As a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP), the Therapist is also responsible for clinically assessing OMHC clients for eligibility for the agency's Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP), certifying and documenting the medical necessity of that referral in accordance with COMAR 10.63.03.09/.10, and approving related clinical notes.
The annual base salary range is $80,000 to $105,000. Actual compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary based upon work experience, education, and/or skill/certification level, among other things.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Outpatient Mental Health Center (OMHC) Clinical Duties
- Provide regularly scheduled individual, group, and family therapy to OMHC clients in accordance with COMAR and the individualized treatment plan.
- Conduct comprehensive clinical (diagnostic) assessments, including mental status exams, risk assessments, and DSM-based diagnoses.
- Develop, implement, and regularly update individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the client, and where appropriate, family members and other treatment team members.
- Provide crisis intervention and management services to OMHC clients as needed, including safety planning and coordination of higher levels of care.
- Coordinate care and consult regularly with the OMHC medical director/supervising psychiatrist on medication management, diagnosis, and level-of-care decisions.
- Participate in multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and case consultations.
- Maintain a clinical caseload consistent with agency productivity standards and COMAR service-delivery requirements.
PRP Eligibility Determination, Certification & Referral
- Conduct a clinical assessment of OMHC clients who may benefit from psychiatric rehabilitation to determine eligibility for referral to the PRP.
- As the client's treating LMHP, certify in the clinical record that the client meets criteria for psychiatric rehabilitation services and complete/approve the referral to PRP.
- Complete the required clinical reassessment and re-certification of the client's ongoing need for PRP services at a minimum of every 6 months for as long as the client remains enrolled in PRP.
- Review, approve, and co-sign progress notes, assessments, and referral documentation related to PRP eligibility and medical necessity, ensuring documentation meets COMAR and Maryland Medicaid standards.
- Maintain communication and care coordination with the PRP rehabilitation specialist/clinical director once a referral is accepted, without providing direct PRP program services personally.
- Maintain the independence required by COMAR 10.63.03.09 — i.e., do not certify PRP eligibility for a client while employed by, contracted with, or otherwise compensated by the PRP program to which the client is being referred.
Documentation & Compliance
- Complete and approve timely, accurate clinical documentation (assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries) in the agency's electronic health record.
- Ensure all clinical documentation supports medical necessity and complies with COMAR 10.63, Maryland Medicaid behavioral health requirements, and agency policy.
- Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 (as applicable), and Maryland law.
- Participate in utilization review, quality assurance, and chart audit activities as requested.
- Complete required agency trainings, including those related to COMAR 10.63 program standards.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Current, active, and unrestricted Maryland license as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) issued by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, or a Licensed Certified Social Worker–Clinical (LCSW-C) issued by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
- Qualify as a “Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP)” as defined under Maryland behavioral health regulations.
- Minimum of one to two years of post-licensure clinical experience providing psychotherapy, preferably with adults or minors with serious mental illness (SMI) or serious emotional disturbance (SED).
- Working knowledge of COMAR 10.63 (Community-Based Behavioral Health Programs and Services), including OMHC and PRP program standards and PRP eligibility/medical necessity criteria.
- Ability to pass a Maryland criminal background check and any additional screening required by the agency or COMAR.
- Strong clinical documentation, diagnostic, and case-conceptualization skills, with experience using an electronic health record.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Direct experience with psychiatric rehabilitation, ACT, or other community-based SMI/SED programs.
- Experience conducting PRP or similar level-of-care eligibility determinations.
- Bilingual or multilingual language skills relevant to the client population served.
- Prior supervisory or clinical-review experience overseeing associate-level clinicians' documentation.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work is conducted in a standard office environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The ARK of MD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected under the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act and applicable federal law.
*As a contractor, there are no benefits associated with this position
***The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.
Pay: $80,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year
Medical Specialty:
- Addiction Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Work Location: In person
