GRANT SUMMARY

The goal of Project Forward is to reduce incidences of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veteran suicide and suicidal ideation in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB). The long-term community goal is to meet the health, social services, and well-being of AI/AN veterans in the FNSB. The project will provide a full continuum of culturally resonant suicide prevention, intervention, treatment, and support services.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position is responsible for maintaining a caseload of individuals comprised of AI/AN veterans in need of suicide prevention, substance use disorder, and mental health counseling. Position provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, brief psychotherapy, group therapy, consumer advocacy/support and family therapy where needed. The incumbent will also provide interventions, assessments, and stabilization services for consumers in crisis. Provides staff training, develops treatment plans, and facilitates individual and group therapies. This position is part of a collaborative treatment team assuring culturally resonant suicide prevention, intervention, treatment, and support services to address not only the rates of suicide, but the risk factors for suicide.

JOB DUTIES

• Provides substance use disorder and mental health counseling.
• Uses evidence-based practices (EBP) in treatment. 
• Develops comprehensive mental health and case management plans in an accurate and timely manner.
• Creates discharge plans.
• Reviews and approves existing case management plans.
• Assesses crisis situations and determines the best intervention using local community agencies and FNA (Fairbanks Native Association) resources. 
• Provides on-going clinical training to behavioral health staff, to include facilitation of groups to model appropriate service techniques. 
• Participates in continuous quality improvement and data-driven decision-making processes to assess program efficacy and drive quality improvement.
• Ensures adherence to data collection requirements in accordance with established standards, and submits reports (i.e., consumer billing, etc.) and other data in an accurate and timely manner.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service training and presents cases for routine/problematic staffing as needed, including participation in interdisciplinary treatment teams. 
• Provides culturally relevant and trauma informed service. 
• Attends mandatory position training that provides training in risk factors.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Ability to report to work in a timely manner.
• Knowledge of substance abuse and mental health; and appropriate skills in working with consumers with Mental Health/Substance Use disorders.
• Skill in working successfully with the Alaska Native/American Indian population and experience providing culturally specific programming; understanding of and sensitivity to diverse cultures and lifestyles.
• Skill in operating/using computers and using Windows, Word, and Excel with ability to accurately input information into reporting formats. 
• Above average communication and people skills with the ability to accurately follow written and verbal instructions.
• Knowledge on how to best assist possible escalated individuals during data collection process.
• Ability to protect confidentiality is essential; HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability) & 42 CFR compliant.
• Knowledge and ability to interpret/understand billing procedures.
• Skill in managing multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meeting their deadlines.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, agencies, and consumers.
• Ability to work independently and with teams. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, behavioral health, or related field.
• Two (2) years’ experience working in the mental health field. 
• Two (2) years’ experience working with AN/AI population and experience providing culturally specific services.
• Master Level LMHC, LMFT, or LICSW with licensure in good standing with the State of Alaska.
• A combination of experience, education, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for degree requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience) 

• Experience working with veterans.
• Experience using EBP in treatment.
• Master’s degree in behavioral health or related field.