Job Description

Department: Therapy services

Job Status: Full time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Therapy services manager

Positions Supervised: None

Amount of Travel Required: minimal

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; Hours may vary between 7:00am – 7:00pm

The Access Team Therapist provides diagnostic assessment, initial engagement, and short-term therapeutic support for individuals of all ages seeking services through Astra Mental Health and Recovery.
As part of Astra’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), this position plays a key role in ensuring Same-Day Access and smooth entry into care by offering timely, person-centered, and trauma-informed evaluations.

The Therapist collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to determine appropriate service recommendations, facilitate warm hand-offs to ongoing providers, and deliver brief interventions when clinically indicated. The role supports Astra’s mission of providing accessible, comprehensive, and integrated behavioral health care across the lifespan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for individuals seeking initial access to services, including mental health and substance use screenings.
• Deliver same-day or next-day access assessments in accordance with CCBHC access standards and agency procedures.
• Formulate clinical impressions, assign diagnoses, and develop initial treatment or transition plans in collaboration with the individual served and their family or supports.
• Provide brief, solution-focused, or crisis-stabilization therapy as needed prior to connection with an ongoing provider.
• Identify urgent needs, ensure appropriate safety planning, and coordinate with crisis or medical teams when necessary.
• Collaborate with internal departments (Care Coordination, Crisis Services, Psychiatry, Case Management) to support continuity of care.
• Facilitate smooth transitions and warm hand-offs to ongoing treatment teams both within Astra and with community partners.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews, clinical consultations, and team meetings to ensure service integration and quality.
• Complete all clinical documentation in Astra’s electronic health record (EHR) in compliance with CCBHC, Medicaid, and agency standards.
• Promote Astra’s trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approach in all interactions.
• Serve as an ambassador of Astra in community settings and through collaborative partnerships.
• Engage in professional development, supervision, and ongoing training to maintain licensure and clinical competence.
• Support Astra’s mission and CCBHC core components of Access, Comprehensive Care, Excellent Outcomes, and Sustainability.
• Perform other duties as assigned and within the scope of training and licensure.

Other Duties

• Demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence
• Approach interactions with individuals served and colleagues with a trauma sensitive lens
• Acts as an ambassador of the agency in the community setting, which may include doing public educational and informational presentations.
• Support and actively promote the vision and mission of the agency and the philosophy of the strengths perspective
• Completes required trainings
• Other duties as assigned, as qualified and trained for.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Licensure:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in a recognized behavioral health discipline (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy).
• Licensed or license-eligible in the State of Kansas as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), including LSCSW, LCP, LPC, LMFT, LMSW, or associated provisional license.
• Must successfully pass Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), Central Registry, and any other required background checks.
• Must maintain a valid Kansas driver’s license, good driving record, current auto insurance, and reliable transportation.

Experience:

• Minimum of two years’ experience providing therapy, case management, or clinical services in a behavioral health or community-based setting preferred. (may include a clinical-based internship).
• Experience working with individuals across the lifespan in a behavioral health, hospital, or community setting.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, crisis response, and integrated behavioral health systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Assessment and diagnostic procedures for mental health and co-occurring disorders.
• CCBHC and Same-Day Access standards for timely entry into care.
• Crisis assessment, suicide prevention, and safety planning protocols.
• Principles of trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally responsive care.
• Resources and referral processes within the local behavioral health system.

Skills

• Proficiency in conducting intake interviews, clinical formulation, and diagnostic evaluations.
• Strong written and verbal communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to deliver brief interventions and motivational interviewing techniques.
• Skill in coordinating care across multiple programs and service systems.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records and telehealth platforms.

Abilities

• Establish rapport quickly and maintain a professional, supportive relationship with individuals seeking services.
• Respond effectively to individuals in emotional or behavioral crisis.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain appropriate clinical boundaries.
• Function effectively within a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced access environment.
• Demonstrate commitment to Astra’s mission and continuous quality improvement.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, or move between positions for extended periods during assessments or sessions.
• Fine motor coordination sufficient for written and electronic documentation.
• Occasional lifting of materials or equipment (up to 25 lbs).
• Must have adequate visual and auditory acuity to observe and respond to individuals served.
• May require use of approved crisis-intervention techniques (e.g., MAB) when working with individuals exhibiting unsafe behaviors.

[PHYSICAL DEMANDS

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 – 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 – 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Physical Demands Lift/Carry

Stand (F) 10 lbs. or less (F)

Walk (F) 11 – 20 lbs. (O)

Sit (F) 21 – 50 lbs. (O)

Manually Manipulate (O) 51 – 100 lbs. (O)

Reach Outward (O) Over 100 lbs. (O)

Reach Above Shoulder (O)

Climb (O) Push/Pull

Crawl (N) 12 lbs. or less (F)

Squat or Kneel (O) 26- 40 lbs. (O)

Bend (F) 41 – 100 lbs. (N)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

none

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Therapists in the Access Team primarily work in an office-based or hybrid environment providing in-person and telehealth assessments. The work may also include outreach in community or medical settings to support Same-Day Access and care coordination.
The role involves frequent collaboration with multiple departments and exposure to individuals in emotional distress or crisis. Flexibility, professionalism, and calm engagement are essential.

This position reflects Astra’s commitment to providing timely, trauma-informed, and integrated access to behavioral health care across the lifespan.