CHILD/FAMILY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.

This position specializes in treating children and family systems with behavioral, emotional, or mental disorders implementing a variety of treatment services for individual, group, family, and marital therapy when indicated. This position also provides clinical services such as intake/diagnostic evaluations, case evaluations, and crisis intervention; as well as acts as a liaison with other agencies as required. This position is a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, an ensures proper maintenance of clinical records in accordance with insurance regulations and established SEARHC policies and procedures. The clinician ensures that established productivity standards are followed and maintained. Where applicable, this position is available for after-hours in person crisis Interventions.

This position adheres to the organization mission: “Alaska Native people working in partnership to provide the best healthcare to our communities,” by providing sound chemical dependency/mental health clinical care and interventions to individuals and families. 

• Must be knowledgeable of different therapeutic methods and be able to switch between different approaches to meet each child’s/family’s needs
• Ability to work collaboratively with other community agencies on behalf of clients and/or SEARHC.
• Must have excellent communication skills, specifically the ability to communicate with children and families of different ages and from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. 

There is no specific responsibility to managing an operating budget. As a clinician the financial responsibilities lie in documenting all services as outlined first and foremost in the code of ethics of the profession. Clinicians maintain records necessary for rendering professional services to their clients and as required by laws, regulations, or agency or institution procedures. Clinicians include sufficient and timely documentation in the record to facilitate the delivery and continuity of needed services. Clinicians take reasonable steps to ensure that documentation in records accurately reflects client progress and services and ensures that SEARHC can bill accurately for services provided to client in accordance with state, federal, and insurance rules, laws, and regulations.  Qualified clinicians may be asked to supervise less experienced clinicians. This position is a covered position in accordance with the Indian Child Protection Act (ICPA).

• Provide screening, assessment, diagnoses, treatment planning, direct therapy, continuing care, care coordination, client advocacy, and discharge planning for individuals/families.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate group therapy, skills development classes, and psych-education groups.
• Prepare, review, and modify treatment plans per state requirements.
• Provide crisis intervention services.
• Perform case management, use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate records per SEARHC policy and as required by laws, regulations, agency, and/or institutional procedures, including federal (HRSA & CMS), state (DHSS/DBH), accrediting bodies (TJC) and insurance company requirements.
• Maintain all records and client information in a confidential manner according to SEARHC policy.
• Coordinate and professionally collaborate with internal SEARHC departments and outside community social service resources to assure appropriate services are utilized for optimum client care.
• Attends scheduled staff trainings/meetings and help staff integrate new information/practices into delivery of treatment services.
• Licensed professionals are responsible to know the regulations of the state for which they are working.
• Depending upon community location, provide on call coverage as assigned and assistance in BH programs across the Behavioral Health Department.

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related discipline from an accredited educational institution.

License and Certification

• Licensed as Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Professional Counselor (LPC) or Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) strongly preferred. Once licensure is obtained it is a requirement to keep it current for the duration of employment.
• Valid State of Alaska Driver’s License or can be obtained within 6 months of hire.
• Alaska State Chemical Dependency Counselor I or MAC certificate or equivalent preferred.
• Clinicians who are not yet licensed will receive clinical supervision for chemical dependency and mental health services focused on providing the appropriate delivery of twelve core functions: Screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, therapy, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referral, reports, and records keeping, and consultation 

Other

• Specialized training and education in child, adolescent, and family therapy strongly preferred
• Must be 21 years of age.

Knowledge of:

• Up-to-date, evidence based modern methods, techniques and procedures used in individual, group, marriage, family and child counseling for mental health and substance using clients
• Psychological theory
• Special education laws pertaining to emotionally disturbed children
• Ethical and legal management practices, client rights, documentation regulations specific to The Joint Commission, HRSA, State Medicaid and Federal regulations

Skill and Ability to:

• Assess clients for risk of suicide or self-harm and develop effective safety plans.
• Write clear/concise reports drawing from direct client observation, screenings, and assessments in accordance with professional standards, state regulations and department protocol.
• Advocate for clients and coordinate required services or to resolve problems in crisis situations.
• Analyze, evaluate, and diagnose situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' needs.
• Maintain knowledge of new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.