Mental Health Clinician – Akeela Out-Patient SUD Program – Anchorage, AK – Full-Time – Exempt

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Function:
The Mental Health Clinician is responsible for providing direct program services related to mental health education and treatment. Assist the Program Manager or Supervising/Lead Clinician with clinical functions, routine quality assurance, program development and direction, and compliance with accreditation standards. Provide direct clinical services including individual, group, family therapy and crisis intervention for clients as an integral part of the duties of this position.

Competencies:
The Mental Health Clinician must be able to demonstrate competency in the following areas:
• SKILLS:

• Demonstrate the ability to function under stress
• Demonstrate the ability to deal with hostile or distraught clients of all age levels and with their family members
• Organizational skills and ability to meet time deadlines
• Prefer experience working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Meets various due dates for assessments, treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, and progress notes in compliance with Akeela, State, JC/CARF, Medicaid, insurance and other required timeframes
• Evaluate client’s response to treatment and make changes in therapeutic approach as needed.
• Behavior intervention techniques to assist clients with a variety of issues.
• As assigned, provide mental health consultation to other professionals and agencies.
• As assigned, maintain liaison with and interacts with a variety of other agencies and individuals including social service agencies, adult protective services, child protective services, schools, courts, probation/parole offices, hospitals, doctors, and behavioral health treatment centers.
• As assigned, provide training to staff and members of the community.
• As assigned, provides clinical support to interdisciplinary treatment teams of other Akeela programs in compliance with Akeela and other requirements.
• Provide support without creating dependency.
• Observe, evaluate, and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Type or enter data as a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Prepare and edit typed reports.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a computer and applicable software applications.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Analyze situations accurately and plan and implement of course of action.
• Demonstrating the ability to identify and assess mental health clients.

• KNOWLEDGE:

1. Demonstrating the ability to identify and assess mental health clients.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of different mental health treatment approaches including trauma informed care; brief solution-focused therapy; clinic verses rehabilitation services per Alaska law; specific approaches for targeted diagnostic groups including individuals experiencing a psychiatric emergency/ crisis; adults with severe mental illness (SMI), and children with severe emotional disturbance (SED).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the current research literature related to recommended practices in mental health treatment.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of multiple learning strategies (e.g., instructions, demonstrations, role plays, critiques.)
5. Operations, services, and activities of a mental health program.
6. Principles and techniques of mental health therapy.
7. Techniques of observing and assessing behavioral, emotional, social, psychological, and environmental problems.
8. Principles and practices of behavioral change and modification.
9. Current crisis intervention, diagnostic, and therapeutic techniques.
10. How and when to refer client to other agencies.
11. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
12. Assess clients for co-occuring issues including substance abuse problems and provide specifics diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
13. Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations and JC/CARF standards.
14. Identify and obtain appropriate training to update professional skills and maintain professional license.

• BEHAVIOR:

1. Demonstrate the ability to function and communicate effectively in an interdisciplinary team approach to behavioral health.
2. Establish with staff members a productive, healthy relationship focused on improving program services.
3. Seek clinical guidance from the Supervisor to strengthen all clinical aspects of program.
4. Work with minimal day-to-day supervision and may solicit professional assistance in area of responsibility from outside sources as necessary as approved by supervisor.
5. Participate as appropriate in clinical consultations regarding client progress.
6. Participates in treatment team meetings for discussion of diagnosis and treatment of clients.
7. As assigned, participates in needs assessment; participates in the design, delivery, and evaluation of effective, proactive, and preventive mental health services to meet the needs of the community
8. Attends and participates in professional group meetings and professional development/continuing education activities; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of mental health services; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
9. Establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of clients.
10. Respond to emergencies at any time of the day or night.
11. Handle stressful situations calmly and be able to bring a crisis under control in a timely manner.
12. Works independently with little direction as well as cooperatively in a team environment.
13. Works confidentially with discretion; respect client confidentiality.
14. Maintain a high standard of professional ethics at all times.
15. Demonstrate emotional maturity and stability.
16. Deal objectively and sensitively with people and their problems.
17. Demonstrate patience and perseverance in treating clients.

Responsibilities:
 Performs related duties as required on attached Functional Tasks.

Qualifications and Requirements:
 Meets at least one of the following requirements for degree/certification:
o Advanced degree (masters-level or doctoral-level) in psychology, social work, counseling, child guidance, nursing or similar field; per Alaska regulations for mental health clinician.
 Prefer Alaska license as a LMFT, LCSW LPC, or LPA. Note: Some positions may require a license.
 Prefer working knowledge of treatment issues with particular emphasis on mental health, co-occurring disorder
 Prefer experience with IBM compatible computers and Windows, Microsoft Office
 Prefer three (3) years experience in mental health, addictions, social services, or related field.