Mental Health Clinician

The primary responsibility of the Mental Health Clinician is to provide clinical services to clients who are currently homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The mental health clinician position provides assessments, treatment plan development and individual psychotherapy services with a trauma informed lens.

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.

Mission: We compassionately serve those in need, strengthen individuals and families, and advocate for the common good.

Vision: All Individuals and Families are Flourishing.

Impact Statement: Catholic Social Services empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all.

Guiding Principles: - Catholic Social Teachings - Reverence for humanity - Striving for excellence - Empowering personal fulfillment - Strengthening through collaboration

The Behavioral Health services program provides assessments, treatment plan development and individual psychotherapy to clients who are currently homeless staying in shelter or at risk of becoming homeless. This department works across the agency interacting with other CSS programs to implement Behavioral Health services within most of CSS’ programs. The Behavioral Health program works with other providers in the agency to provide education about best practices and ways to provide wrap around services to clients.

Competency:

• Teamwork: Interacts with people effectively. Encourages and respects the input of all team members. Communicates openly and honestly. Cooperates within the team and across the agency.
• Stress Tolerance: Displays emotional resilience. Deals with difficult and adverse events while maintaining professionalism and caring. Responds appropriately in the face of tension, emotion, and resistance. Seeks support from others when necessary and uses appropriate coping techniques.
• Empathy: Provides empathy towards clients who are receiving services. Focuses on individualizing care based on people’s needs. Provides nonjudgmental services.
• Competent in assessing participant risk factors, including lethality for suicidal, homicidal, and grave disability.
• Competent in dealing with clients in other crises as well as a highly structured, fast-paced daily routine.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge in mental health disorders, co-occurring disorders, diagnostic procedures, DSM 5, counseling techniques, group therapy, assessment skills, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
• Knowledge and competency in substance use disorder counseling and intervention techniques applied to individual, group, and family situations, including medical model.
• Knowledge and competency in providing services and appropriately maintaining participant records under HIPAA and record compliance guidelines.
• Knowledge of cultural and spiritual values and how they relate to the disease, recovery, and wellness in Alaska Native and American Indian men and women.
• Knowledge about trauma informed care practices

Skills:

• Fully proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Adaptability.
• Problem solving.
• Empathy.
• Willingness to learn.
• Critical thinking.

Provide behavioral and diagnostic assessments to determine the level of care services, initial engagement strategies, treatment planning, discharge planning, and individual psychotherapy.

Provide individual, group, and family treatment that is strength-based, person-centered, and trauma-aware per the mission, goals, and objectives of the 1115 Waiver.

Identify risk factors, including lethality for suicidal, homicidal, and grave disability.

Responsible for maintaining participant records under HIPAA and record compliance guidelines.

Responsible for completing clinical documentation in compliance with state and federal regulations, the 1115 waiver and agency policy.

Coordinate treatment team involvement and promote engagement in consultation.

Conduct participant referrals for additional services as medically necessary based on treatment needs for continuity of care.

Provide advocacy and follow-up on referrals.

Comply with required training needs to improve service delivery.

Perform related duties as needed and assigned.

Minimum Education Requirement: Master’s degree in a counseling, phycology, social work, or related field.

Minimum Experience Requirement: One (1) year of licensed experience in counseling, substance use disorder counseling, or addiction counseling. Demonstrable knowledge of delivering trauma-informed care services.

Work is performed in a standard indoor office environment. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Frequently sitting or standing at a desk for several hours at a time.

Travel out of Alaska is rare. Occasional travel within Anchorage is required.

Location: 4600 Debarr Road, Anchorage, AK.