Clinical Support Therapist

Job Title: Clinical Support Therapist

Reports To: Clinical Director/Program Director

Supervises: None

Location: Zia Recovery Center

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Clinical Support Therapist provides essential clinical services across all levels of care at Zia Recovery Center, including Withdrawal Management (WM), Residential Treatment (RTC), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and Outpatient (OP) programming. This hybrid role encompasses the facilitation of therapeutic and psychoeducational groups, the completion of initial and recurring ASAM level-of-care assessments, biopsychosocial evaluations, Mental Status Examinations, and Utilization Review documentation. The Group Facilitator / Ancillary Clinical Support also serves as PRN group coverage across programs during staff absences, vacation periods, and collegiate intern onboarding. Services are delivered in alignment with ASAM criteria, CARF Behavioral Health standards, NM DOH regulations, and Zia Recovery Center's mission to provide trauma-informed, evidence-based, and recovery-focused care.

Essential Responsibilities

• Facilitate psychoeducational, process, and skills-based therapeutic groups across Withdrawal Management, Residential Treatment, IOP, and Outpatient levels of care.


• Conduct initial ASAM multi-dimensional assessments to determine appropriate level-of-care placement for new admissions.


• Complete recurring ASAM assessments to inform continued stay, level-of-care transition, transfer, or discharge decisions.


• Perform and document Mental Status Examinations (MSEs) as part of initial evaluations and ongoing clinical monitoring.


• Complete comprehensive Biopsychosocial assessments in accordance with CARF standards, ASAM criteria, and NM DOH requirements.


• Prepare and submit Utilization Review (UR) documentation, including clinical justification for continued stay, step-down, step-up, or discharge.


• Communicate with billing department during the UR process as needed.


• Provide PRN group facilitation coverage during staff vacations, callouts, extended leaves, and collegiate internship onboarding periods.


• Collaborate with Primary Therapists, the Clinical Director, and the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding client progress, clinical needs, and level-of-care transitions.


• Maintain timely, accurate, and thorough documentation per NM DOH, CARF, ASAM, and payer standards using the organization's EHR system.


• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings, staff development, and clinical supervision as required.


• Abide by Zia Recovery Center's code of ethics and model Connection First organizational culture in all interactions.


• Demonstrate cultural competence and trauma-informed sensitivity with clients across all levels of acuity.


• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.


• Licensed or license-eligible in New Mexico (LCSW, LPCC, LMFT, or equivalent); CADC, CCJP, or MAC credential preferred.


• Minimum two (2) years of direct clinical experience in a substance use disorder or co-occurring behavioral health treatment setting.


• Demonstrated knowledge of ASAM criteria and experience with level-of-care determination across the continuum of care.


• Experience completing Utilization Review documentation and communicating with managed care or insurance payers preferred.


• Proficient in EHR documentation systems, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.


• Strong clinical writing, organizational, and time management skills.


• Demonstrated ability to adapt group facilitation style across varying client acuity levels and program structures.


• Minimum one (1) year sobriety if in personal recovery.


• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.


• Availability for flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends as program needs require.


• Able to pass background check, drug screen, TB clearance, and health clearance as required.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, drive, and use a computer for extended periods.


• May lift or carry up to 20 lbs.


• Work environment includes clinical, residential, and withdrawal management settings, both indoors and outdoors.


• Evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required based on program coverage needs.


• Reasonable accommodations are available per ADA requirements.

Equal Opportunity & Employment Compliance

Zia Recovery Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Zia maintains a drug-free workplace in compliance with federal and state laws. Employment is contingent on successful completion of pre-employment screenings, including background checks and drug testing.