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
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
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
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
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
Maintain timely, accurate, high-quality documentation
Support medical necessity documentation and authorizations
Follow PMHW policies, HIPAA requirements, and ethical standards
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
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
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.
- 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.
