ASAM Implementation Specialist

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The ASAM Implementation Specialist serves as the organization's subject matter expert on the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria and supports the implementation, integration, and ongoing application of ASAM standards across behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment programs.

This position combines advanced clinical expertise in substance use disorder assessment, level of care determination, and treatment planning with strong project management and implementation skills. The ASAM Implementation Specialist partners with program leaders, clinicians, quality staff, and operational teams to support successful adoption of ASAM 4th Edition standards and ensure consistent application throughout clinical practice.

The ideal candidate possesses demonstrated expertise in ASAM Criteria, co-occurring disorders treatment, clinical assessment, and systems implementation. This position does not supervise staff but serves as a key clinical resource and consultant to support organizational readiness, workflow development, training, process improvement, and project execution related to ASAM implementation.

This is a temporary position with a fixed term of two (2) years. Employment in this role will conclude at the end of the two-year period unless otherwise extended or converted based on business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

ASAM Subject Matter Expertise

• Serves as the organization's clinical resource and expert regarding ASAM Criteria and evidence-based placement practices.
• Provides consultation to clinical teams regarding ASAM multidimensional assessments, level of care recommendations, treatment planning, continued stay criteria, transfer criteria, and discharge planning.
• Assists clinicians in applying ASAM principles consistently across programs and levels of care.
• Maintains current knowledge of ASAM standards, Colorado Behavioral Health Administration requirements, and industry best practices.
• Supports clinical decision-making related to placement, service intensity, and care transitions.

ASAM Implementation and Project Management

• Coordinates and supports ASAM implementation projects across multiple programs and service lines.
• Develops project plans, timelines, milestones, and implementation tracking tools.
• Monitors project progress and identifies implementation barriers, risks, and opportunities.
• Assists leadership with implementation planning, prioritization, and execution activities.
• Provides regular status reports and recommendations regarding project outcomes and implementation progress.
• Facilitates workgroups and stakeholder meetings related to ASAM implementation initiatives.

Clinical Workflow Development

• Assists in the design and refinement of ASAM-aligned workflows, assessment processes, and clinical documentation practices.
• Supports development of tools, forms, reference guides, and clinical resources to promote ASAM-consistent practice.
• Collaborates with Quality, Compliance, and Clinical Operations teams to align workflows with organizational standards.
• Assists with implementation of ASAM-related documentation and decision-support tools within the electronic health record.

Training and Technical Assistance

• Delivers education, consultation, and technical assistance related to ASAM implementation and application.
• Supports onboarding and ongoing training for clinical staff regarding ASAM standards.
• Develops training materials, job aids, and clinical reference tools.
• Responds to staff questions regarding ASAM assessment, documentation, and level of care determination.

Quality Improvement and Practice Enhancement

• Identifies trends, practice gaps, and workflow challenges related to ASAM implementation.
• Participates in quality improvement initiatives designed to improve consistency and effectiveness of ASAM utilization.
• Collaborates with Quality teams regarding corrective action planning and process improvement opportunities.
• Supports implementation of evidence-based practices related to substance use disorder treatment.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborates with clinical leaders, operational departments, revenue cycle teams, quality staff, and information technology staff on ASAM-related initiatives.
• Participates in organizational workgroups, committees, and implementation teams.
• Maintains productive relationships with community partners and state stakeholders as directed.
• Serves as a liaison between clinical operations and project teams to support successful implementation efforts.

Education, Skills, and Qualifications:

Education and Licensure

• Master's degree in behavioral health, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field required.
• Current Colorado clinical license (LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Psychologist, or equivalent) required.
• Certified Addictions Specialist (CAS) required; Licensed Addiction Specialist (LAC) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum three years of clinical experience working with individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing ASAM Criteria in assessment, treatment planning, and level of care determination.
• Experience participating in implementation, workflow redesign, quality improvement, or program development initiatives.
• Experience coordinating projects involving multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced training or certification related to ASAM Criteria.
• Experience with ASAM 3rd and/or 4th Edition implementation.
• Experience conducting utilization review or level of care determination activities.
• Experience in Medicaid-funded or publicly funded behavioral health systems.
• Knowledge of Colorado behavioral health systems and regulatory requirements.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean, Six Sigma, or similar training preferred.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment.
• Travel between program sites as needed.
• Ability to manage multiple implementation projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, trainings, and collaborative workgroups.

Salary Range: $67,300 to $85,700*

Additional Salary Information*:

• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*
• Jefferson Center pay is determined by various factors including education level, licensure level, years of relative experience, and internal equity amongst current staff.

Application Deadline: These positions will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 8/25/2026 for priority consideration.