Alaska Crossings

Hiring:

Provides adolescent counseling and treatment in a residential program with challenge wilderness components and maintains the safety of all students in the adolescent substance abuse program.  This position is located in the Raven's Way Program, Community Health Services. 

This position requires an increased understanding of working with adolescents in a substance abuse treatment program including basic interventions that are effective in treating this disease. This position also requires increased crisis intervention skills, and effective communication skills for leading educational groups with the clients. This position needs a working knowledge of how to respond to client who is in crisis, in regards to their mental and medical status.

 Prolonged, sustained and extreme physical and mental effort: multiple consecutive days of expedition hiking, camping, kayaking.  Activities include living in tents, rainy and cold weather and extended darkness, while maintaining positive therapeutic interaction with up to 12 clients who have history of substance abuse, behavior problems and co-occurring disorders.  While on expedition, staff will have contact with clients 24 hours per day. Expeditions have no facilities or equipment other than what is carried, by the clients/staff or cached along the route.

This position requires frequent work in remote 24 hour wilderness settings as well as work in the Residential treatment facility.  Because this is a substance abuse treatment program it is necessary for staff to model substance free behavior while on duty and at all times on remote locations; use or possession of alcohol, tobacco or any illegal drug is prohibited. The Staff Code of Ethics indicates staff agrees not to use illegal substances, and agree to use legal substances responsibly. This position is a covered position in accordance with the Indian Child Protection Act (ICPA)

Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor Degree preferred in Child and Youth Care, Social Services, or closely related degree, or equivalent experience.

Experience:

• One year work experience with at-risk adolescents with at least 6 months demonstrated group leadership experience.

• A minimum of 48 days with Raven’s Way expeditions or equivalent experience.

• Emerging Behavioral Skills: Group Management, Communication Skills, Resource Management, Professionalism, Problem Solving skills. Emerging written documentation/reporting communication skills.

License/Certification/Other:

• Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician certification

• State Drug & Alcohol Counselor Technician certification or ability to attain certification within one year of hire

• Level I Ropes Course Certification or ability to obtain within one year.

• Cold water kayaking certification or ability to obtain within one year.

• CPR

• CPI

• State Food Handlers permit

• AK driver’s license preferred

• Applicant needs to be 21 years or older

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge

• Knowledge, skill, aptitude and experience in child and youth care

• Knowledge with substance abuse treatment modalities

• Knowledge of substance abuse and its effects on the human body, mind, and social relationships and co-occurring disorders

• Knowledge of CFR 42 Part 2 and HIPAA regulations regarding client confidentiality and protected health information laws and practices

Skills

• Skill/competence in wilderness hiking, kayaking, camping, fire building, safety, shelters, camp fire cooking, and use of map and compass in an isolated rain forest/island environment .

• Skills in adolescent behavioral intervention/counseling

• Skill/competence in using/leading adventure challenge events to further substance abuse and co-occurring disorder treatment goals

Abilities

• Ability to identify client treatment needs

• Ability to empathize with clients , yet maintain professional boundaries at all times

• Ability to understand and follow agencies policies and procedures

This position provides a variety of treatment services including clinical assessment and treatment directing for you ages 12-18. This position also provides clinical services such as intake/diagnostic evaluations, case evaluations, and crisis intervention; as well as acts as a liaison with other agencies as required. This position is a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team and provides regular clinical supervision, ensures proper maintenance of clinical records in accordance with insurance regulations and established SEARHC policies and procedures. A clinician ensures that clinical productivity standards as established and followed. This position is available for after-hours telephone contact for clients in crisis when needed and as assigned; in addition to providing clinical support in person or by phone as needed at any SEARHC location within the Behavioral Health Division.

Responsibilities:

• Complete all required documentation to facilitate participant intake, treatment and discharge/aftercare, including:

  • Brief initial screening for appropriateness/immediate needs

  • Integrated Behavioral Health and Substance Use Assessment

  • Individualized treatment plans

  • In-person Mental Status Exam, Client Status Review and Alaska Screening Tool

  • Contribute to Final Report and Recommendations and Discharge Summaries

• Provide training, guidance and intervention resources to field guides/behavioral health technicians (direct service providers).

• Provide direct service in the field as needed/scheduled.

• Provide family psychotherapy to families via phone when appropriate.

• Provide crisis intervention and referral to alternative levels of care when necessary.

• Work collaboratively as part of a treatment team that includes program case managers, program managers and field guides, as well as family members, probation officers, social workers, counselors/therapists, others involved in the youth’s care in the youth’s community.

• Contribute actively to clinical development goals and initiatives.

• Participate in the on-call rotation schedule as needed.

• Participate and learn base line hard skills such as paddling and camp skills required for field.

• Be actively involved and participate in annual field guide training.

• Complete all documentation required for services in a timely manner.

• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related discipline from an accredited educational institution.

Experience

• Previous experience working with adolescents and families is preferred.

• Have professional competence with mental health and substance use issues, including experience formulating multi-axial diagnostic impressions using DSM-V criteria

License and Certification

• Meets the educational requirements for licensure in Alaska as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at time of hire. Applicant may need to accrue supervised clinical hours and/or take the exam for licensure. Once licensure is obtained it is a requirement to keep it current for the duration of employment.

• Valid State of Alaska Driver’s License or can be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Other

• Must be 21 years of age.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office © programs required (Word and Outlook primarily).

• Knowledge of issues facing Alaska youth including Alaska Native youth is preferred.

• Special education laws pertaining to emotionally disturbed children.

Skill and Ability to:

• Must be willing to work actively as part of a clinical team supporting field operations and desire to connect youth and families to the services they need.

• Ability to work positively with other staff, local professionals and community members required.

• Write clear/concise reports and chart notes in accordance with professional standards, State regulations, and department protocol.

• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.

• Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.

• Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.

• Collaborate with other staff members to perform clinical assessments

Provide behavioral health skill development services for adolescents who are experiencing persistent, severe emotional disturbances, including anger/aggression, mood disorders, disruptive behaviors, impulsivity, and trauma responses.  Effectively co-lead extended wilderness expeditions in the remote Alaska Wilderness as a continuum in a therapeutic health service context. Maintain physical and emotional safety to elicit positive change in clients who come from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds throughout the state of Alaska. This position is in the Alaska Crossings Program, Behavioral Health Division of SEARHC.

This position requires an increased understanding of working with adolescents who are experiencing severe emotional disturbances including basic interventions that are effective in attaining proficiency in social and life skills. This position also requires increased crisis intervention skills, and effective communication skills for leading educational groups with the clients. This position requires a working knowledge of how to respond to a client who is in crisis, in regard to their mental and medical status.

Prolonged, sustained and extreme physical and mental effort: extended expedition hiking, camping and canoeing.  Activities include living in tents, rainy and cold weather and extended darkness, while maintaining positive therapeutic interaction with up to 9 clients. While on expedition, staff will have contact with clients 24 hours per day. Expeditions have no facilities or equipment other than what is carried, by the clients/staff or cached along the route.

 This position requires frequent work in remote 24-hour wilderness settings as well as in-town work before and after the expedition. Periodically, staff will be asked to help with Expedition Coordinator tasks, Operational Support, travel assists, and other duties as required. It is necessary for staff to model substance free behavior while on duty and at all times in remote locations; use or possession of alcohol, tobacco or any illegal drug is prohibited. The Staff Code of Ethics indicates staff agrees not to use illegal substances and agrees to use legal substances responsibly. This position is a covered position in accordance with the Indian Child Protection Act (ICPA)

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include all things inherent in mentoring youth and providing them with a safe and enjoyable experience in a challenging and remote wilderness setting. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Participate in all aspects of the Alaska Crossings program. This includes attending all required staff training events and/or workshops, pre-trip planning and meetings, food preparation, potential travel-escorting duties with clients, equipment preparation and maintenance, program implementation, delivery of curriculum, report writing and all post program wrap-up duties.

• Participate and contribute in all team activities and meetings. This will ensure program continuity and the overall safety of other TRWGs and program clients under our care.

• Be responsible for the delivery of all skills instruction.

• Provide required daily documentation on 2 to 5 clients. TRWGs will develop strategies to work with the clients, and implement the treatment plans as outlined by the clinician. They must complete all required documentation.

• Communicate clear, objective information with efficiency and attention to detail – both orally and in writing

• Adhere to the program values and implement the program mission

• Work within organizational policies and accepted practices

• Inform their Expedition Coordinator (EC) or Assistant Manager (AM) of any concerns regarding their ability to safely and competently execute these duties.

• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required

Certification/License

• Current Wilderness First Responder certification – Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician preferred

• Current CPR certification required

• Current TEAMs Crisis Intervention certification required (may be obtained at Annual Alaska Crossings Staff Training)

Experience/Training:

• Experience working with youth – experience with youth-at-risk preferred

• Formal communication and reporting experience – experience in behavioral health, non-profit, and/or educational institution setting preferred

• Flat water paddling experience – certification and 2+ years experience preferred

• Moving water paddle experience- certification and 2+ years experience preferred

• Multi-day backcountry tripping experience – 2+ years experience preferred

• Alaska Crossings Flat Water Training (obtained at first Alaska Crossings Staff Training)

• Alaska Crossings Ocean Canoeing Training (obtained at first Alaska Crossings Staff Training)

Other Requirements:

• Clear a federal and state background check

• Current passport

• Ability to travel into Canada

• Must be at least 21 years of age

• The ability to understand the role of a mentor and be comfortable mentoring our clients

Other Skills, Abilities and Knowledge:

• Possess the characteristics of maturity, honesty, accountability, and flexibility

• Able to work as a contributing member of a team with management and co-recreational therapists

• Be proficient at leading and motivating groups on extended expeditions in challenging environments

The Crossings Operations Assistant Manager (AM) is responsible for a variety of managerial and administrative tasks.  This position supervises the Therapeutic Recreational Wilderness Guides (TRWGs) and is responsible for risk management aspects of the outdoor behavioral health care program. The Assistant Manager also provides staff and client support in a challenging wilderness setting with the goal of making progress towards individualized Treatment Plan goals. This position is in the Alaska Crossings Program, Behavioral Health Division of SEARHC.

The Assistant Manager must understand all SEARHC Adolescent Programs policies, Alaska Crossings Accepted Practices and Alaska Crossings curriculum to ensure consistency in philosophy and procedural implementation in hiring, training, and supervision of operational support staff and Therapeutic Recreation Wilderness Guides. This position requires risk management skills and the ability to train TRWGs in mitigating these risks.

This position adheres to the organization mission:  Alaska Native people working in partnership to provide the best healthcare to our communities, by providing care and interventions to youth and their families.

Alaska Crossings serves adolescents who are experiencing severe emotional disturbances and the AM must be able to support the TRWGs in working with these clients. The AM works closely with clinical staff to provide direction for client treatment. This position periodically requires work in remote 24-hour wilderness settings. Outdoor activities include living under tarps, canoeing, hiking, and other outdoor recreational activities in rainy and cold weather and extended darkness, while maintaining positive therapeutic interaction with up to 9 clients.

Responsibilities:

• Staff Hiring, Training, and Supervision. Assist with hiring, training, and supervision of Therapeutic Recreational Wilderness Guides and operational support staff. The AM conducts performance evaluations, as well as the recruitment, discipline and termination of the employees supervised. The Assistant Manager directly oversees the activities of assigned expedition teams and ensures all expedition team members understand and can demonstrate competency in Alaska Crossings Accepted Practices, curriculum, and documentation. This may involve extended work in remote settings to supervise staff and assist with client management.

• Risk Management and Emergency Response. Ensure that TWRGs adhere to established risk management practices. Serve on the Risk Management Committee to analyze incidents and practices. Be part of the Crossings “on-call” rotation to respond to after hour emergencies. Assist in the development of risk management Accepted Practices and training as assigned.

• Program Management & Development. Work with the Crossings Program Manager to develop and maintain Crossings Accepted Practices and curriculum. Develop systems and accountability to ensure that these systems are implemented on the AK Crossings expeditions. Collaborate closely with the clinical team. Supervise staff to ensure that all necessary documentation is complete, accurate, and timely. Maintain appropriate records in a confidential manner and log daily client activities as outlined in the program policies and procedures.

• Permitting. Oversee National Forest, State Forest, and Crown Land permitting process. Ensure that expeditions are following necessary guidelines and regulations when traveling on public lands.

• Logistics. Logistics tasks include, but are not limited to: food purchasing, route planning, gear purchasing and maintenance, resupply scheduling, and maintaining relationships with local vendors. These tasks must be completed within an annual approved operating budget.

Qualifications:

Education/Experience

• Experience working with youth, preferably in a wilderness setting.

• 3 years experience working in an outdoor/wilderness program, Alaska Crossings experience preferred

• Must be 21 years of age.

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, outdoor education, or closely related field OR

• Candidates without a bachelor’s degree in a related field can be considered with a minimum of four (4) years relevant experience in similar programs

License/Certifications

• Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician certification within 3 months of hire.

• Current CPR certification within 3 months of hire.

• Valid Alaska driver’s license within 6 months of hire

• Crisis Response Training within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Commitment to maintaining high professional standards

• Ability to work closely and collaboratively with other Crossings and SEARHC employees, interact effectively with clients, clients’ families and supporting professionals.

• Thorough knowledge of adolescent outdoor behavioral health and its treatment modalities, experiential wilderness expedition techniques and safety standards within the field.

• Possess the skills necessary to provide in-field supervision and coverage when necessary.

• Thorough knowledge of the policies and procedures for the hiring, training and supervising employees.

• Advanced skill in leading therapeutic wilderness expeditions in a safe manner and the ability to teach the various wilderness activities utilized by the program

• Advanced ability to create wilderness expedition curriculum, coordinate with clinical team and educate subordinates for implementation of the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with both technical and therapeutic curriculum.

• Strong skills in individual counseling, crisis intervention and group facilitation.

• Strong skills with computers and various computer software programs including MS Word and MS Excel.

Other

• This position requires periodic work in remote 24-hour wilderness settings.

• This position is a covered position in accordance with the Indian Child Protection Act (ICPA)

Additional Information About Alaska Crossings

SEARHC is a non-profit health consortium which serves the health interests of the residents of Southeast Alaska. We see our employees as our strongest assets. It is our priority to further their development and our organization by aiding in their professional advancement.

 Working at SEARHC is more than a job, it’s a fulfilling career. We offer generous benefits, including retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, health, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance and long and short-term disability, and more.