Child & Family Behavioral Health Clinician I/II

Child & Family Behavioral Health Clinician I/II

Position Summary

Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services invites applications for a child and family clinician to serve within the agency’s Family Center program, Therapeutic Preschool program, or both. Successful candidates will have appropriate graduate education preparation for clinical work, preferably with internship or other experience working with children ages birth to pre-adolescence and their families. 

Job Duties

Provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy to children and caregivers. Administer diagnostic assessments and develop comprehensive treatment plans. Facilitate evidence-based clinical practices that are trauma-informed and relationship-based, grounded in attachment theory. Provide consultation and clinical feedback to Direct Support Providers and community partners to support clients’ successful functioning in school and other settings.  The full list of responsibilities and duties for BHC I is included at the end of this posting; the full position description for BHC II can be provided upon request.

Required Qualifications

1. Masters degree in a clinical behavioral health field (counseling, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, or social work)
2. Minimum of two semesters practicum, internship, assistantship, or employment in a clinical mental health setting, preferably working with children and families
3. Working knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion
4. The ability to apply theory to practice

Preferred Qualifications

1. Professional mental health license (i.e., LPC, LCSW, LMFT, Clinical Psychologist, etc.)
2. Two years direct mental health counseling practice; A minimum of one year experience providing therapy to children and families
3. Early Childhood Mental Health and Endorsement competencies
4. Experience facilitating group psychotherapy for children and/or parents and caregivers
5. Experience with foster and/or adoptive children and families and understanding of working/advocating with the child protection system

Applicants who do not yet meet preferred qualifications, including eligible clinicians seeking supervision toward licensure or who have limited experience working with children and families, may be considered for a Child and Family Behavioral Health Clinician I position. If hired, the successful candidate will be provided supervision, training, and support toward licensure. 

Salary Grade: 

Behavioral Health Clinician I: Paygrade 10, salary range $57,000-$77,979 to start

Behavioral Health Clinician II: Paygrade 11, salary range $60,000-$80,954 to start

Benefits Summary:

Our competitive benefit package includes: generous leave policy, 12 paid holidays per year, medical and dental coverage, health savings account, 401(k) retirement plan with employer match 5%, direct service provider apprenticeship program, and employee assistance program. Clinicians are also eligible for SHARP funding to supplement salary, which supports clinicians serving in rural areas.

Full/Part Time: Full Time, on-site employment. Requires relocation to Sitka, Alaska. 

Open Date: 3/06/24

Open Until Filled: Yes

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about what you could offer and accomplish here at Sitka Counseling, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit through Handshake:

1. Cover Letter addressing ability to meet or exceed minimum and preferred qualifications
2. Resume
3. Unofficial graduate transcript(s) – if still enrolled, include a list of courses yet to be completed
4. Copy of professional license(s) or endorsements, if any
5. Contact information, including phone and email addresses, for at least 3 professional references (employers, site supervisors, faculty)

Screening of applications will begin March 25, 2024. Position will remain open until filled.

Criminal background check required as a condition of employment.

Mental Demands of this position

Knowledge of and ability to utilize conflict resolution skills with staff and client population, proficient oral and written communication skills, ability to complete and present comprehensive written evaluative reports, ability to apply sound clinical and therapeutic judgment under stress, ability to work with a multi-cultural clinical population, ability to multi-task, ability to work efficiently under time demands.

Physical Demands of this position

This position consists of light work (exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently), consistent attendance, attention, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crawling, crouching, kneeling writing, reaching, sitting for prolonged periods of time, driving, walking, reading, seeing, typing, listening for prolonged periods of time, and ability to operate a computer.  May require occasional physical crisis prevention intervention, which includes holding, guiding, and physical CPI-trained restraint of a child. 

Living and Working in Southeast Alaska

Sitka Counseling is a non-profit community mental health agency serving a diverse Southeast Alaskan island community of 8,600, rich in culture, history, outdoor recreation, and natural beauty. Visit our website to learn more about the agency at sitkacounseling.org.

To learn more about living and working in the community of Sitka, check out: https://visitsitka.org/ or https://www.sitkachamber.com/livinghere/.

BHC I Duties and Responsibilities:

General:

• Contributes to Sitka Counseling’s mission, vision, and program philosophies by way of work product and professional behavior with both internal and external clients/partners
• Adheres to the requirements and regulations set forth by the State of Alaska Department of Behavioral Health (SOA DBH), Accreditation standards, and licensure boards
• Adheres to all current federal & state laws, Sitka Counseling’s Policies & Procedures, including the safeguarding of confidential healthcare information and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Reports immediately any suspected incidents of child, elder, or vulnerable persons abuse or neglect to supervisor and abuse reporting hotline
• Establishes professional relationships and communicates with clients, caseworkers/probation officers, family members, staff and community partners
• Identifies and seeks resolution for potential problems arising with all involved parties
• Maintains professional licensure as a mental health provider in good standing based on licensing requirements
• Adheres to ethical, professional behavior and conduct consistent with Professional Codes of Ethics and standards of practice
• Maintains all training requirements for licensure and for Sitka Counseling
• Attends staff/agency meetings and trainings as required
• Completes other duties as directed by supervisor or leadership team
• Maintains a professional organized/clean work space

Program: 

• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements and agency Policies & Procedures
• Assists Program Manager and Clinical Director with program implementation/evaluation, per Policy & Procedure
• Makes recommendations for program improvements
• Assists the Leadership team in short and long-term planning for the children’s program or the therapeutic preschool program
• Reports to the Program Manager (or other Agency Directors) regarding support services, personnel issues, fiscal considerations, etc.
• Oversees the provision of services by Direct Service Providers (DSP) and engaged in at minimum bi-weekly clinical supervision/guidance of DSP’s to ensure adequate delivery treatment interventions

Clients:

• Completes initial diagnostic assessments to determine treatment needs, and conducts ongoing assessments (every 6 months/annually) to determine when clinical goals have been achieved and service delivery is no longer indicated
• Develops initial treatment plans and renders first treatment session (within 7 days of assessment) and updates treatment plans (every 90 days) to include age appropriate clinical interventions/objectives/goals that are observable and measurable
• Documents and signs-off all billing documentation (assessments, progress notes, etc.,) within 72 hours, 24 preferred.
• Ensures a valid treatment plan is signed off, prior to rendering any services, and updated at minimum every 90 days; must include case management referrals and applicable community supports appropriate to treatment needs
• Develops and updates safety and continuing care plans throughout treatment
• Provides in-home, in-community, and/or in-office therapy to individuals, family, or groups as clinically indicated, with occasional telehealth delivery
• Engages client and/or family in discharge planning, and completes comprehensive discharge summary within 7 days of completion of services
• Utilizes crisis intervention skills to respond to client/family needs during acute stress, including ability to screen for suicide risk and mental health functioning
• Actively participates in weekly supervision groups, team meetings, etc.
• Maintains all client documentation in the electronic clinical record
• Attends court hearings when appropriate or necessary

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Clinical skills and knowledge of the treatment matters concerning children, adolescents, adults, and families
• Experience with foster and/or adoptive children and families and understanding of working/advocating with the child protection system
• Ability to support the agency's culture, growth, and success through communication, accountability, and positivity
• Cultural humility
• Ability to be clear-headed and decisive based on the scope of the position
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a team
• Appropriately accept feedback from others, displaying the willingness to learn, grow, and improve
• Competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, the Internet, and other software applications
• Effective oral/written communication and organizational skills
• Ability to effectively work as a part of a professional team
• Working knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion
• The ability to apply theory to practice

Other Functions

• Participation in annual fund raising activities as assigned
• Participation in agency team building activities
• Participates in on-call schedule as needed
• Complete other duties as assigned
• Adhere to client confidentiality policy, ethical code, and established agency policies and procedures

Additional Requirements

• TB clearance
• Criminal background check and cleared drug screen
• Valid driver’s license
• First Aid/CPR certification (can be obtained upon hire)
• Computer literacy with preferred 60+ wpm typing ability
• Ability to document two years of continuous abstinence if in recovery