Behavioral Health Counselor

Position Title: Behavioral Health Counselor

Reports To: Clinicical Supervisor - Youth Outpatient

Classification: Non-Exempt; Hourly; Full-Time

Overview

The Behavioral Health Counselor is responsible for counseling and client care functions at Volunteers of America Alaska Youth Outpatient program. The substance use disorder counselor is a fully functional member of the treatment team, develops and implements quality substance use treatment for agency clients, and implements goal directed clinical interventions.

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

Clinical

• Responsible for the substance use treatment of assigned clients as detailed below.

• Develops appropriate therapeutic relationships with assigned caseload consisting of youth struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Responsible for educating and supporting youth through addressing substance use challenges and coordinating services as needed to enhance quality of life.
• Supports youth in the development of individualized relapse prevention strategies and supports them in applying learned skills to enhance the quality of their lives and decrease substance misuse.
• Conducts individual, group and family counseling as prescribed in individualized treatment plans.
• Is responsible to maintain 15 hours of direct client contact through facilitation of individual, group, and family counseling.

• Develops and implements treatment plans, treatment plan reviews and produces client reports in a timely manner and in accordance to Medicaid regulations and agency policy and procedures.
• Implements treatment services and maintains client records in accordance to American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria 2 (ASAM PPC3), CARF, Medicaid regulations, the Division of Behavioral Health requirements and agency policy.
• Provides crisis intervention services as needed for youth assigned to caseload.
• Presents clients monthly at weekly staff meeting to illicit feedback from interdisciplinary treatment team and ensure level of care placement is medically necessary according to ASAM standards. Responsible for follow through on treatment team developed interventions.
• Models interventions and provides clinical guidance to other staff.
• Assists in coordinating the transfer/discharge to continuing care services.
• Communicates client status to client's families and other agencies as indicated and in accordance with confidentiality regulations and agency policy.
• Conduct monthly clinical staffing summary of client's progress in accordance to individual program policy.
• Creates and completes client documentation in accordance to agency policies and procedures, Medicaid regulations, CARF standards, Division of Behavioral Health standards, and Division of Public Health regulations.
• Responsible for completion of all progress notes in accordance to the agency's policies and procedures.
• Conducts weekly urine analysis for clients who are in treatment.

Milieu

Provides a safe and therapeutic environment for clients, staff, and visitors. Is supportive of and skilled in utilizing the community as method to enact change. Collaborates closely with other therapeutic staff to ensure coordination of care and assigned interventions are communicated, implemented and monitored throughout the course of a client's treatment.


Other Duties

• Assures the maintenance of client confidentiality and the safeguarding of client information as per Regulations. Performs other duties as assigned or indicated. Expected to complete all assigned duties in accordance with timelines established by immediate supervisor.
• Agency adherence of duties and functions as listed below.
• Adheres to 42 C.F.R. and HIPAA privacy and security regulations at all times.
• Coordinates treatment services with his/her supervisor and the consulting psychologist.
• Maintains client confidentiality and safeguards client information as per Federal Regulations.
• Is an active member of the clinical team contributes and participates in program improvement activities.
• Productivity standard of 15 hours of billable service rendered weekly.
• Adhering to signatures on all documentation within 72 hours.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in the counseling field and a minimum of 1-year experience in behavioral health field OR High School Diploma / G.E.D and 3 years' experience in the behavioral health / substance use field
• Ability to obtain one of the following within 3 years of employment:
  • CDCII (Chemical Dependency Certification level II)
• Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of substance use and mental health disorders.
• Critical Thinking - Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, and some weekend hours.
• A current and valid driver's license and can qualify for VOA's automobile insurance and/or proof of vehicle insurance coverage.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• 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 flexible hours, including days, evenings, and some weekend hours
• Ability to travel if required (must have own transportation)
• 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.

• 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.