Outpatient Primary Clinician

Job Title: Outpatient Primary Clinician

Services Provided: PHP, IOP, and 3.1 Low Intensity Residential

Location: 2784 Crossroads Blvd in Grand Junction, Colorado
Reports To: Associate Clinical Director/Clinical Director
Employment Type: Full Time Salaried
Maximum Caseload: 12 Clients + Facilitate Groups

Compensation: 66-78k DOE and Licensure

Position Summary

The Primary Clinician provides individualized, evidence-based clinical services to clients participating in Ava Health's Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and associated ASAM 3.1 residential services.

This position is responsible for managing an assigned caseload, providing individual and group therapy, developing individualized treatment plans, and overseeing the clinical treatment of assigned clients throughout their continuum of care.

Primary Clinicians collaborate closely with nursing, psychiatric providers, case management, and residential staff to ensure coordinated, person-centered treatment that supports psychiatric stability, substance use recovery, and long-term wellness.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Services & Treatment Planning

• Maintain an assigned caseload of up to 12 clients across PHP and IOP levels of care.
• Conduct clinical assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, and regularly evaluate client progress.
• Provide individual therapy and facilitate assigned process, psychoeducational, and skills-based therapy groups.
• Utilize evidence-based interventions, including DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Oversee the clinical treatment of assigned clients, including continued-stay recommendations, level-of-care transitions, and discharge planning.

Group Programming & Client Engagement

• Facilitate therapeutic groups within PHP and IOP programming.
• Promote client engagement, accountability, emotional regulation, and development of healthy coping skills.
• Address clinical and behavioral concerns that arise during programming using appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Collaborate with clinical staff to maintain consistent, effective, and engaging group programming.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Coordinate care with nursing, psychiatric providers, case managers, and residential staff.
• Participate in treatment team meetings, clinical staffing, and interdisciplinary care planning.
• Collaborate with 3.1 residential staff to address client needs, behavioral concerns, and treatment goals across treatment and living environments.
• Communicate relevant clinical information, safety concerns, and treatment recommendations to appropriate team members.
• Support continuity of care through level-of-care transitions, referrals, and discharge planning.

Documentation & Professional Responsibilities

• Complete all required clinical documentation accurately and within established timelines, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
• Maintain documentation supporting medical necessity, treatment progress, and appropriate level of care.
• Follow organizational policies, ethical standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Participate in clinical supervision, professional development, and quality improvement activities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Degree in Substance Use or MH Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field, or an appropriate addiction counseling credential within the scope of assigned duties (CAS, LAC, LCSW, LPCC, LPC, MFT, etc.)
• Current Colorado clinical license, provisional license, or qualifying addiction counseling credential.
• Experience treating mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions.
• Strong clinical judgment, communication skills, organization, and ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary treatment team.

Preferred:

• Experience in PHP, IOP, residential treatment, or other intensive behavioral health settings.
• Training in DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care, or crisis de-escalation.
• Familiarity with ASAM criteria, clinical documentation requirements, and level-of-care transitions.

Professional Expectations

The Primary Clinician is expected to demonstrate clinical competence, accountability, adaptability, effective communication, and a commitment to person-centered care. This role requires strong therapeutic relationships, compassionate boundaries, proactive collaboration, and the ability to empower clients throughout their recovery journey.