Fee-For-Service Therapist

FEE- FOR-SERVICE THERAPIST JOB DESCRIPTION

About Us

The Blanton-Peale Institute & Counseling Center (Blanton-Peale) is a culturally affirming, empowerment-based, trauma-informed healing and learning community based in New York City. We are dedicated to cultivating holistic wellness and training generations of mental health professionals who reflect the vibrant diversity of the communities we serve.

We provide comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services, including individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as psychiatric evaluations and medication management, through our New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) licensed Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS) counseling center. Our team is highly trained across a range of therapeutic approaches, including psychoanalysis, CBT, EMDR, and spiritually integrated psychotherapy.

Additionally, Blanton-Peale offers robust training programs for emerging and established therapists, as well as educational resources for individuals and organizations seeking to deepen their understanding of mental health and wellness. Joining our team means becoming part of a mission-driven community committed to healing, learning, equity, and holistic wellness.

Position Overview

The Fee-for-Service Therapist provides outpatient psychotherapy and related clinical services to children, adolescents, and adults through our OMH-licensed MHOTRS (Part 599) counseling center. Compensation is earned per completed and documented service.

The fee-for-service therapist works under the clinical oversight of a Clinical Group Supervisor and is responsible for maintaining an active caseload sufficient to meet minimum service expectations, completing all documentation within regulatory timeframes, and communicating availability to Human Resources and their supervisor.

Fee-for-service therapists set their standing schedule in collaboration with counseling center administration to ensure consistent availability for scheduling of new and existing clients in their care. Services are delivered in a hybrid format, combining telehealth with in-person sessions, meetings, or activities as clinically indicated or scheduled by Blanton-Peale.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Clinical Service

• Complete comprehensive assessments and collaborate with clients to develop and update person-centered treatment plans.

• Provide individual, couple, family, and/or group psychotherapy consistent with scope of licensure, skill level, and counseling center policy.

• Deliver a minimum of ten (10) completed billable services per week, or the higher weekly commitment selected in the Terms of Engagement. (Note: Taking into consideration planned time off and holidays, the annual commitment for service provision is a minimum of 45 weeks).

• Conduct risk assessments on an ongoing basis and follow clinic protocols for crisis, safety planning, and mandated reporting.

• Coordinate care with psychiatric providers, care managers, schools, and external providers as clinically indicated.

Documentation

• Complete documentation of all client and client-related contacts (including phone, email, and mail communication, collateral communication with others, as well as session notes for every service delivered), meeting OMH Part 599 MHOTRS and counseling center standards for medical necessity, treatment plan linkage, and billing support.

• Document in the electronic health record the same day the service is provided and scheduled, in no case later than twenty-four (24) hours after the service.

• Complete assessments, treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, and discharge summaries by their assigned due dates.

• Sign and finalize all notes in the electronic health record — unsigned or draft notes are not considered complete.

• Respond to supervisor, practice manager, and billing requests for chart corrections within two (2) business days.

Caseload Management

• Maintain an active caseload sufficient to sustain the weekly service commitment.

• Maintain scheduled appointments at the level needed to meet the weekly service minimum and notify the supervisor when caseload capacity falls short.

• Follow up on missed appointments and document all outreach attempts.

• Monitor caseload no-show and cancellation rates and participate in engagement-focused problem-solving during monthly caseload review.

• Request and accept new referrals assigned when caseload capacity and schedule allow.

• Participate in monthly caseload review with the supervisor covering caseload size, service volume, no-show and cancellation rates, treatment plan currency, and length of stay.

• Identify clients appropriate for discharge, step-down, or transfer, and complete closures promptly so that caseload capacity remains accurate.

Professional and Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain an active, unrestricted New York State license and any required registration in good standing.

• Complete all required onboarding, annual, and regulatory trainings by assigned deadlines.

• Participate in clinical supervision as required by licensure and counseling center policy.

• Comply with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 where applicable, organizational compliance policy, and all agency policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Licensure and Certification

• Current New York State license as an LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, LMFT, Licensed Psychoanalyst,, or Licensed Psychologist in good standing.

• LMSW and limited-permit holders must practice under qualifying supervision as required by NYS Education Law and OMH regulations.

Experience

• At least one (1) year of outpatient behavioral health experience preferred.

• Experience with electronic health records and OMH or Medicaid documentation standards strongly preferred.

• Experience with adults, adolescents, children, and families preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to complete accurate clinical documentation within short timeframes.

• Strong assessment, engagement, and risk-management skills.

• Reliable, self-directed schedule and caseload management.

• Comfort with telehealth delivery and remote clinical practice.

• Bilingual Spanish/English is a plus.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

The conditions described below are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this telehealth clinical position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Environment: Work is performed in a hybrid format, combining remote telehealth from a private, secure home-office setting with reliable privacy and high-speed internet, and occasional in-person sessions, meetings, or trainings at a Blanton-Peale office or approved clinical site.

• Vision: Close and distance vision sufficient to read a computer screen and clinical documentation for extended periods, with or without correction.

• Hearing and Speech: Ability to hear and understand speech and to communicate clearly by phone and video, including during clinical sessions and emergencies, with or without correction.

• Physical: Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a computer workstation, with occasional standing, reaching, or changing position.

• Manual Dexterity: Ability to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other standard telehealth and office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination.

• Cognitive: Ability to sustain attention and concentration through back-to-back clinical sessions and documentation, and to respond appropriately to crisis or safety situations.

• Travel: Local travel is required for in-person sessions, meetings, or trainings at a Blanton-Peale office or approved clinical site, consistent with the position’s hybrid schedule.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Blanton-Peale Institute & Counseling Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, New York State, or New York City law. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.