Mental Health Clinician

The Mental Health Clinician is responsible for providing therapeutic services in the outpatient clinic, home, various school settings and community for youth ages 13-18 and transition aged youth 18-24, in addition to their families who enter our services. This position is a critical component to the Volunteers of America Alaska (VOA) service delivery system and includes involvement with many community stakeholders who serve youth under 18 years of age and their families. This position is community based and will travel to sites outside of the office to provide services.  Expectations regarding duties and responsibilities are outlined in the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities.

VOA Alaska is a youth-serving organization providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery supports to youth and families struggling with mental illness and addiction. We are honored to walk with families during these times and provide support and hope through recovery. Our core values are connection, responsibility, courage, innovation, hope, and joy. We are looking for individuals who espouse these core values and align with this mission of services to the community.

Essential Functions, Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing a caseload of up to 25 clients (depending of frequency of sessions and hours worked).
• Responsible for providing mental health/substance use services to include conducting integrated substance use/mental health assessments, treatment plans, treatment plan reviews, case management, and weekly group, individual and family sessions. 
• Uses screening tool data to inform the above. 
• Completes documentation and services in accordance to Medicaid, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), Division of Public Health, and Division of Behavioral Health regulations and standards and agency policy and procedures. 
• Participation and coordination of the weekly family program as assigned.
• Coordination of services with the substance abuse counselors (if applicable), out-patient providers (if applicable), community stakeholders, Lead Mental Health Clinician, VP of Treatment Services, Consulting Psychiatrist (if applicable) and Consulting Psychologist (if applicable).
• Provides input into development of mental health services to include group curriculum development (if and when applicable).
• Functions as a full member of the clinical team and works collaboratively with all treatment team members to ensure youth are receiving effective services in accordance to their treatment plan.
• Maintains program integrity and client safety.
• Responsible for maintaining contact with parents regarding to client’s treatment plan, prognosis and treatment progress.
• Maintains client confidentiality and safeguards client information per 42 C.F.R. part 2 and HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
• Expected to complete all assigned duties in accordance with timelines established by immediate supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s Degree in a counseling, psychology, social work or a related field Human services field.
• Two years’ experience working with youth (13-18) and transition aged youth (18-24) having co-occurring disorders or mental health struggles (substance use disorder and severe emotional disturbances) preferred
• Proven ability to work with diverse community groups; with a focus on Alaska Native people, knowledge of their values and belief systems and ability to provide culturally competent services 
• Ability to make sound decisions based on information available.
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Ability to work Monday through Saturday, varied hours. 
• Ability to travel if required (must have own transportation and meet state and VOA Alaska requirements to operate a vehicle). 
• Ability to provide current credentials and if not current, willing to work towards certification requirements and obtain QAP within 3 years of hire. 

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work from home/In office combination: Includes structured workdays with consistent days and times. Must be available/reachable and hooked in to the VOAAK phone/ IT system and must be reachable via telephone and email during available work hours. Must have a private work area for conducting telehealth services at home.
• Works in office areas.  Interacts with staff, consultants, and outside vendors.  May be subjected to interruptions throughout the workday.  
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds. The vision requirement includes close vision.

Acknowledgement

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position.  However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you may be required to perform.  The omission of specific descriptions of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or can be considered essential to this position.