Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Fairbanks, AK

Counselor I / Counselor II

SUMMARY

JOB DUTIES 

• Acts as directing clinician and case manager for consumers in a residential treatment facility or in an outpatient capacity who are experiencing emotional, behavioral and addictive behaviors.

 • Plans treatment strategies in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team and the Clinical Supervisor; collects outcome measures and use to monitor consumer treatment progress, as directed. 

• Conducts individual and psychoeducational group counseling sessions using the program's identified evidenced based practice models including but not limited  to Motivational Interviewing, Readiness to Change, Relapse Prevention and Trauma Informed Care.

• Prepares written continuing care plans in cooperation with parent/guardian, referral agencies and other community members and agencies for consumers in accordance with confidentiality laws. 

• Prepares discharge summaries and disburses to authorized individuals and agencies in compliance with confidentiality laws. 

• Prepares written transfer summaries using the  American Society of Addiction Medicine Placement Criteria and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) handbook.

• Provides crisis intervention within the planned treatment strategy and agency policy. 

• Provides case management services and referrals for services not offered on site for consumers. Transports consumers in program vehicles, if necessary.  

• Maintains consumer records related to treatment, continuing care, progress towards goals and objectives, discharge/transfer summary and treatment outcomes that are accurate, concise, useful, and in a timely manner.

• Treats consumers with respect and accepts cultural and social diversity. 

• Protects consumer confidentiality according to federal and state laws, and FNA guidelines. 

 • Attends all staff meetings, staff training and in-service training.  

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned. 

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY 

• Familiarity with human resources policies and procedures. 

• Ability to report to work in a timely manner. 

• Knowledge of customer service concepts and practices. 

• Understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles. 

• Skill in operating personal computer utilizing a variety of computer software. 

• Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines. 

• Skill in oral and written communication. 

• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees.

 • Ability to work independently as well as with teams. 

• Knowledge of dynamics of chemical dependency and demonstrated experience in crisis intervention and working with adolescents and their families. 

• Above average communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to accurately follow written and verbal instructions. 

• Strong understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles with demonstrated experience working effectively with Alaska Native populations.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS COUNSELOR I (Education & Experience)

• High school diploma, GED, RHS or SUD Certificate, AAS Degree
• 1 year (2000 hours) experience
• 100 hours supervised practicum
• 270 coursework hours 
• Certified as State of Alaska Counselor Level I 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS COUNSELOR I (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Counseling or a related field preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS COUNSELOR II (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Sciences, or related field
• 3 years (6,000 hours) experience
• Must complete practicum requirements for CDC I level PLUS 100 supervised practicum based on the Alaska Core Competencies.
• 170 course work hours in addition to the CDC I                                
• State of Alaska Alcohol Counselor Certification Level II or ability and commitment to achieve the CDCII within the timeframe of the state Qualified Addiction Professional standards.
• Strong understanding and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles, with demonstrated experience working effectively with Alaska Native populations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS COUNSELOR II (Education & Experience)

• Master’s degree in Behavioral Health Science or related field

WORKING ENVIRONMENT The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items weighing less than 25 lbs.   

The majority of work is performed in an office setting with a wide variety of people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities. The office is a non-smoking facility with outside smoking areas. Requires local travel between various program components of FNA which may involve exposure to extreme weather conditions. Works in an environment where protection of consumer confidentiality is essential. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided where/when needed.      

SPECIFICATIONS Supervision Received: Position receives direct supervision from Clinical Director of Behavioral Health; however, incumbent is expected to effectively perform day-to-day activity as denoted within job description. Work will be monitored through weekly meetings, monthly reports, and regular communication with the Director. General guidelines for operations are based on program requirements and the general policies and procedures of FNA. Supervision Exercised: No supervision requirements for this position. Driving Requirements:  

This position will require you to frequently (or incidentally) drive both a FNA-owned vehicle and your personal vehicle for FNA business. Per FNA’s automotive insurance policy, in order to drive a FNA-owned vehicle, an individual must be at least 21 years of age. In order to drive a FNA-owned vehicle with consumers in the vehicle, an individual must be at least 25 years of age. Consumers may only be transported in FNA-owned vehicles and may not be transported by an employee in a personal vehicle.   

This position requires eligibility for FNA automotive insurance as demonstrated by a current Alaska Driver’s License and a currently driving history and proof of personal liability insurance. Position Impact: Impact at the program level is high. Program’s level of compliance with program standards is directly affected by the effective performance of duties, especially as they relate to providing services to divisions and programs. Contacts: Contacts include, and not limited to, volunteers, organizational staff, consumers, and outside resource agencies.               

ACKNOWLEDGMENT STATEMENT This Job Description describes the essential functions and qualifications. It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities, or qualifications of the job; and management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, job-related duties. This document is not intended to exclude modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation for a disability.     

This position will (or may) require you to frequently (or incidentally) drive your personal vehicle for FNA business. In order to drive your personal vehicle for FNA business an individual must provide a copy of their current Alaska Driver’s License and a copy of their proof of personal liability insurance. No employee may transport a FNA consumer in a personal vehicle. Continued employment status will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal background investigation and the pre-employment drug testing process. Where required, continued employment status (post job offer) will be contingent upon employee providing certification of annual tuberculosis (TB) screening and medical certification that employee does not, because of infectious or communicable disease, pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of program participants or others in the workplace.     

Notice: All employment at the Fairbanks Native Association (FNA) is “at will.” This means the employee or FNA may terminate employment at any time and for any reason. Unless specified in writing, no duration of employment is expressed or implied for this position. Your signature indicates that you have read this Job Description and understand the essential functions of and qualifications for the job.