The Individual and Family Therapist provides direct and indirect clinical services and provides clinical oversight to Behavioral Health Aides/Case Managers, and Foster Care Providers. Persons served may include Emotionally Disturbed (ED) and Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) Youth and their families, as well as Adults with Severe Mental Illness (SMI), individuals, groups, and couples. The Individual and Family Therapist is an important member of a clinical team whose mission is to empower clients through beneficial partnerships with individuals, family, and community. Understands, utilizes and can teach interventions from a relational and culturally-sensitive therapeutic orientation.

Reports to: Executive Director

Must maintain a current, working knowledge of the Alaska Medical Assistance Program Policies for Community Behavioral Health Services; and design, implement and supervise treatment that adheres to these policies:

• Provide clinical direction and therapy for a full caseload (1-20+).
• Provide culturally responsive mental health services to individuals, families and groups in the clinic, in client’s homes and in the community.
• Complete comprehensive clinical assessments and bi-annual updates to these assessments following agency guidelines.
• Develop treatment plans through team collaboration that clearly define client goals, objectives, interventions, service outcomes, and discharge plans.
• Know and incorporate evidence-based therapeutic modalities.
• Review the implementation of rehabilitation goals as prescribed in individual treatment plans and provide guidance on activities to meet these goals.
• Document services in a timely manner and assess progress toward goals in clinical progress notes and revise treatment plans as necessary to document client change process.
• Utilize crisis intervention skills to respond to client needs during acute stress including ability to screen for suicide risk and mental health functioning.
• Participate in on-call crisis situations that may present at times, and provide clinical support to clients, clients’ families, and staff in acute crisis situations.
• Interface with local educational and service providers regularly.
• Participate in required agency training's and meetings.
• Uphold all confidentiality laws and follow all mandatory reporting laws.
• Transport clients to and from scheduled treatment activities, via agency vehicle as needed.
• Maintains consumer and employee confidentiality as prescribed by agency policy and federal law.
• Additional duties appropriate to this role as assigned by the Executive Director.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understands and adheres to Wil la mootk Counseling Center Policy and Procedures.
• Reads and develops a working knowledge of the Employee Handbook.
• Assumes responsibilities of vital administrative committees when assigned, including the role of chairperson if selected.
• Participates in continuing education to obtain and/or maintain licensure and advance knowledge/skill level.
• May transport, via agency vehicle, consumers to/from home, school, the agency, and treatment meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills (including the ability to read, speak and write in English), sound clinical and therapeutic skills, the ability to accurately document events, and provide detailed records for consumers.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain positive professional working relationships.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Must be organized, efficient, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to, computers, telephone systems, calculators, copiers and facsimile machines.
• Proficient with Microsoft applications and able to learn and navigate with proficiency AKAIMS and other software applications.
• Ability to act decisively and with fairness.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to perform sedentary work as well as to be engaged in physical exercise with clients such as running, walking, hiking, etc. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. and bend down frequently. It is necessary to utilize a computer throughout the course of a normal workday.
• Has ability to perform repetitive keyboarding activities and operate general office equipment. Has ability to communicate verbally, both in person and over the telephone. Has ability to twist and bend. Has visual and hearing acuity or appropriate adaptations for disabilities.
• Working Conditions: This is a salaried, professional position and as such is a 24/7 on call. Work is performed indoors and outdoors at the clinic, in schools, in homes, and in the community. Occasionally must work in the evening or on weekends. May be called upon to work during the holidays. Some travel required.
• Other Requirements to be met within 6 months of Hire: Complete a Criminal Background Check and receive clearance of any barrier crimes (criminal offense defined by the State of Alaska as being inconsistent with standards for licensure or care and treatment of children). Pass a Drug Screening free of illegal substances or controlled substances which have not been prescribed. Acquire CPR and First Aid Certification. Complete training on Blood-Borne Pathogens and HIPAA regulations. Must provide proof of a valid Alaska Driver’s License to drive a WLM vehicle. Maintain current personal vehicle insurance and registration on personal vehicle(s) used for company business. Maintain a violation free driving record for the past year. Present evidence of a negative TB test annually.

Salary Range: This position is compensated at Grades 20 to 22 on the MIC Salary Matrix. Entry level salary is dependent upon education, licensure, and experience. Minimum Qualifications: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field and two (2) years professional experience in family and children’s services which included working with people identified with developmental disabilities or as severely emotionally disturbed. Must be at least 21 years old due to state licensing requirements.

Licensure: Must be fully licensed or pursuing licensure in the State of Alaska as a Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, Associate Psychologist, or Psychologist

Required Skills Required Experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills (including the ability to read, speak and write in English), sound clinical and therapeutic skills, the ability to accurately document events, and provide detailed records for consumers.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to maintain positive professional working relationships.

• Must be able to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team.

• Must be organized, efficient, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to, computers, telephone systems, calculators, copiers and facsimile machines.

• Proficient with Microsoft applications and able to learn and navigate with proficiency AKAIMS and other software applications.

• Ability to act decisively and with fairness.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to perform sedentary work as well as to be engaged in physical exercise with clients such as running, walking, hiking, etc. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. and bend down frequently. It is necessary to utilize a computer throughout the course of a normal workday.

Has ability to perform repetitive keyboarding activities and operate general office equipment. Has ability to communicate verbally, both in person and over the telephone. Has ability to twist and bend. Has visual and hearing acuity or appropriate adaptations for disabilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS: This is a salaried, professional position and as such is a 24/7 on call. Work is performed indoors and outdoors at the clinic, in schools, in homes, and in the community. Occasionally must work in the evening or on weekends. May be called upon to work during the holidays. Some travel required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO BE MET WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF HIRE: Complete a Criminal Background Check and receive clearance of any barrier crimes (criminal offense defined by the State of Alaska as being inconsistent with standards for licensure or care and treatment of children). Pass a Drug Screening free of illegal substances or controlled substances which have not been prescribed. Acquire CPR and First Aid Certification. Complete training on Blood-Borne Pathogens and HIPAA regulations. Must provide proof of a valid Alaska Driver’s License to drive a WLM vehicle. Maintain current personal vehicle insurance and registration on personal vehicle(s) used for company business. Maintain a violation free driving record for the past year. Present evidence of a negative TB test annually.

SALARY RANGE: This position is compensated at Grades 20 to 22 on the MIC Salary Matrix. Entry level salary is dependent upon education, licensure, and experience.