Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist

Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist

Location: Newburyport, MA
Schedule: Part-Time (1 day per week)
Salary per annum: $30,000 - $90,000

Position Summary

At MedElite, we bring care to the bedside. Our physicians, advanced practice providers, and specialists deliver primary care and specialty services directly to residents of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), long-term care facilities (LTCs), and assisted living facilities (ALFs). We are committed to compassionate, high-quality care that respects the dignity of every resident, family, and facility partner we serve.

The Licensed Behavioral Health Therapist provides individual psychotherapy and psychiatric diagnostic evaluations to residents at their bedside across MedElite's partner facilities. Using referral information, chart review, interviews, and collaboration with facility staff, the Therapist assesses each resident's mental health needs, selects appropriate therapeutic approaches, and develops and carries out treatment plans that relieve symptoms, support adjustment to long-term care, and improve quality of life for residents and their families.

Employment type: Part-Time (1 day per week) 
Travel: Travels to contracted SNF, LTC, and ALF facilities in Newburyport, MA

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Assessment

• Completes a psychiatric diagnostic evaluation on each referred resident promptly after referral, per MedElite policy.
• Reviews the facility medical record, MDS data, medication list, and referral reason before each initial evaluation.
• Assesses and documents each resident's cognitive status and capacity to participate in and benefit from psychotherapy, using standardized tools (e.g., BIMS, PHQ-9, GDS, GAD-7) where appropriate.
• Engages family members or responsible parties in assessment when clinically appropriate and with the resident's consent.
• Reassesses residents at regular intervals and when their condition changes.

Treatment Planning

• Develops an individualized treatment plan for each resident with diagnosis, measurable goals, therapeutic approach, and session frequency.
• Reviews and revises the treatment plan as the resident's status changes, and documents the reasons for each revision.
• Coordinates the treatment plan with the facility's care plan and interdisciplinary team (IDT).
• Determines when goals are met or when therapy is no longer effective, and discharges residents from services with appropriate recommendations.

Direct Care

• Provides individual psychotherapy at the bedside using evidence-based approaches suited to older adults and long-term care residents, such as supportive therapy, CBT, problem-solving therapy, reminiscence therapy, and behavioral interventions.
• Addresses common needs in this population, including depression, anxiety, grief, adjustment to placement, chronic illness and pain, end-of-life concerns, and behavioral symptoms of dementia.
• Evaluates the effect of each intervention and adjusts the approach as needed.
• Recognizes and responds to behavioral health crises, including suicidal or homicidal ideation, following MedElite's crisis protocol and promptly notifying the attending provider and facility staff.
• Builds a therapeutic and supportive relationship with residents and families in line with professional standards.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Communicates findings and recommendations to the attending physician or APP, MedElite psychiatric prescribers, and facility nursing and social services staff.
• Shares urgent or crisis information immediately and non-urgent updates within 24 hours.
• Participates in facility care plan meetings, behavioral health huddles, and QAPI activities when requested.
• Recommends non-pharmacological interventions that support the facility's behavioral health care and psychotropic gradual dose reduction efforts.
• Educates facility staff on resident-specific behavioral approaches and provides in-service training when requested.
• Provides referrals and resources to residents and families, and coordinates follow-up care when residents transition to another setting.

Documentation, Billing, and Compliance

• Documents every evaluation and therapy session in MedElite's EHR on the date of service, or within the timeframe set by MedElite policy.
• Records session start and stop times, the therapeutic interventions used, the resident's response, and progress toward treatment plan goals.
• Documents medical necessity and the resident's capacity to benefit from therapy at intake and at each reassessment.
• Selects CPT codes that accurately reflect the service and documented time, including psychiatric diagnostic evaluation (90791) and individual psychotherapy (90832, 90834, 90837), with add-on codes such as 90785 when criteria are met.
• Bills only for services personally rendered, under their own NPI.
• Follows MedElite policies on Medicare Part A stay status and consolidated billing, and verifies payer coverage before initiating services when required.
• Complies with HIPAA, Medicare and Medicaid requirements, state licensing rules, facility policies, and MedElite's compliance program.
• Cooperates with internal chart audits, peer review, and payer record requests.

Professional Conduct and Development

• Works independently across multiple facilities with minimal direct supervision, managing their own caseload, schedule, and travel.
• Represents MedElite professionally with facility partners, treating facility staff, residents, and families with tact, respect, and sensitivity.
• Works through conflicts constructively and escalates facility or patient-care concerns through MedElite's chain of command.
• Takes accountability for their own performance and the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the care they provide.
• Proposes solutions to identified problems and participates in program development, quality improvement projects, and policy work when assigned.
• Assists with orientation and mentoring of new therapists.
• Maintains licensure, completes required continuing education, and stays current on best practices in geriatric and long-term care behavioral health.
• Participates in clinical supervision or peer consultation as required by MedElite policy or state licensing rules.

Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree or higher in social work, clinical mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, or clinical psychology from an accredited program.

Licensure and Credentialing

• A current, unrestricted independent clinical license in the state of practice, such as LCSW, LPC/LPCC/LMHC, LMFT, or licensed psychologist (PhD/PsyD).
• Associate-level licenses (e.g., LMSW, LGSW, LAMFT) are not eligible, since they cannot bill Medicare independently.
• Must be able to enroll with Medicare, state Medicaid, and contracted payers, and complete MedElite's credentialing process before seeing residents.
• No current exclusion from federal healthcare programs (OIG/SAM) or state Medicaid programs.
• A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance that meets MedElite requirements.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of post-licensure clinical experience providing psychotherapy.
• Experience working in a nursing home setting.
• Experience with older adults, medical or long-term care settings, or dementia care is strongly preferred.
• Experience with EHR documentation and time-based psychotherapy coding is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of geriatric mental health, neurocognitive disorders, and the behavioral health needs of long-term care residents.
• Familiarity with CMS long-term care regulations related to behavioral health and psychotropic medication use.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to assess, analyze, and interpret complex clinical information.
• Sound professional and ethical judgment.

Work Environment and Requirements

Work Environment: This role is field-based. The Therapist travels daily between assigned SNF, LTC, and ALF facilities and provides services at the resident's bedside or in a private space within the facility. The work involves frequent interaction with residents, families, and facility staff, sometimes in emotionally demanding situations. Documentation may be completed on site or remotely using MedElite-provided technology.

Physical Requirements: The position requires frequent walking, standing, sitting, and driving between facilities. Prolonged sitting and computer work, including keyboard and mouse use for extended periods, and lifting/moving patients when needed. Must be able to follow facility infection control procedures, including use of personal protective equipment.

Cognitive and Emotional Requirements: The role requires excellent comprehension and communication skills, and the ability to organize, synthesize, and act on clinical information. The Therapist must make independent professional and ethical judgments and maintain a high level of emotional stability and maturity.

Training Requirements

• MedElite orientation at hire, including compliance, HIPAA, documentation, and billing training.
• Annual compliance, HIPAA, infection control, and abuse prevention training.
• Facility-specific orientation as required by each partner facility.

Why Work With Us?

• Make a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors
• Work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment
• Enjoy work-life balance with the flexibility of a part-time schedule
• Full administrative support and clinical mentorship

This description outlines the general nature and level of work for this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be asked to perform other duties as needed. MedElite is an equal opportunity employer.