Lead Behavioral Health Therapists

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Announcement #

2025-331

Issue Date : 10-30-25

Closing Date : 11-20-25

Lead Behavioral Health Therapist

Behavioral Health

Department of Tribal Health

Hourly Wage : $39.82-$44.82 / Regular / Full-Time / Supervisory

The Lead Behavioral Health Therapist provides clinical leadership and administrative support within the behavioral health department, ensuring high-quality, client-centered services. In addition to maintaining a reduced caseload, the Lead Mental Health Therapist offers mentorship and supervision to clinical staff, contributes to program development, and helps uphold compliance with regulatory and organizational standards.

This role ensures delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive mental health services. The Lead Therapist supports staff development, assists with program planning and evaluation, and acts as a liaison between staff and leadership. Provides clinical services, assessments, individual, family and group therapy for all required populations such as children, adolescents, adults, elderly, LGBTQ, and veterans in a variety of settings including office, IHS clinic, local Hospitals, Tribal Court, Tribal Corrections, homes, and some off reservation settings.

This position will also serve as a liaison between local Universities and Master's of Counseling and Social Work students placed at the YNBHS program. This position provides support to the Program Director and Clinical Supervisor and will provide supervision to the students providing counseling services to clients.

Examples of Work Performed :

Provide clinical oversight, case consultation, and support to a team of behavioral health clinicians / providers.

Carry a reduced caseload and deliver direct therapeutic services (individual, group, or family therapy).

Conduct clinical supervision (if licensed to do so) and assist with onboarding and training of new staff.

Review documentation to ensure compliance with agency standards, ethical guidelines, and billing requirements.

Collaborate with leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate behavioral health programs and services.

Monitor service delivery and support performance improvement initiatives.

Coordinate and facilitate regular team meetings, clinical case reviews, and in-service trainings.

Serve as a liaison between clinical staff, program staff, and leadership to ensure effective communication and problem-solving.

Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based clinical practices.

Support crisis response efforts and provide guidance during high-risk situations.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of behavioral health trends, licensing requirements, and best practices.

Provide consultation to therapists, interns, or case managers as needed.

Conduct case consultations, chart reviews, and support adherence to clinical standards.

Collaborate with the Program Director and Clinical Supervisor on quality assurance, program development, and staff training.

Assist in onboarding and ongoing mentorship of new clinicians.

Address clinical concerns and support crisis response efforts.

Facilitate team meetings and promote a healthy, collaborative team culture.

Collect data and contribute to outcome monitoring and reporting.

Uphold ethical standards and maintain confidentiality.

Provide clinical services, assessments, individual, family and group therapy for all required populations such as children, adolescents, adults, elderly, LGBTQ, and veterans in a variety of settings including office, IHS clinic, local Hospitals, Tribal Court, Tribal Corrections, homes, and some off reservation settings.

Facilitate referral processes to assure continuity of care with outside agencies and across programs at YNBHS. Provide intake assessment, diagnosis, ongoing brief, and community support services. Including case management, to identify children, families, and adults in a culturally competent manner within the most appropriate environment.

Develops treatment plans which focus on client strengths, needs, and goals within the briefest time frame for successful achievement.

Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in client's status.

Establish and maintain working relationships with other tribal programs as well as relevant non-tribal

programs that could be a potential resource for our families.

Participate in supervision, multi-disciplinary team staffing, trainings, and psychiatric consultations as required.

Provide services and maintain records to meet level of care standards and agency policies.

Maintain monthly statistics, complete evaluation criteria as required by contracts, and participate in the reports as needed at the end of the fiscal year.

Coordinate with other healthcare providers, agencies, and community resources in order to create a thorough treatment plan.

Write reports to court, school, or other community agencies as necessary.

Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.

May be assigned new projects and tasks not included on the description, or to assist other Behavioral Health staff as requested by supervisor ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Follow all related Federal, State, local and agency regulations for practicing mental health services and billing as an Independent Biller of services.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Knowledge of the basic principles, practices, and professional standards of providing clinical behavioral / mental health services to tribal communities.

Knowledge of completing documentation not limited to treatment plans, assessments and service authorizations.

Ability to make professional evaluations, decisions, and recommendation for treatment planning and implementation.

Ability to maintain client records in accordance with ACSW and NASW, State, Federal, Tribal, and local requirements.

Ability to maintain comprehensive detailed reports and correspondence with completed documentation in adherence with State, Federal and Tribal policy for billing purposes.

Knowledge of the Yakama Nation Personnel Policies.

Knowledge and proficiency in computer use.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other department staff, supervisors / managers, and the public.

Ability to develop comprehensive program plans.

Ability to meet the public and address problems, issues, and complaints tactfully, courteously, and effectively.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability of documenting in patient medical files, HIPAA laws, medical terminology and EHR standards.

Ability to provide crisis services as needed in the office, Courts, Corrections Center, and hospital emergency rooms.

Strong working knowledge of behavioral health diagnoses, treatment planning, and therapeutic modalities

Experience in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and integrated care models.

Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) and documentation standards.

Experience with trauma-informed and culturally competent care.

Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Minimum Requirements :

Must be Licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker and / or Mental Health Counselor with the State of Washington.

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field (required).

No drug / alcohol abuse offenses for the past two years.

Required to pass pre-employment background check.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Preferred Requirements :

3-5 years of post-licensure clinical experience, preferably in community mental health.

Previous supervisory or leadership experience strongly preferred.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.