Clinical Training Specialist

Cook Inlet Tribal Council; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 98,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. is seeking a Clinical Training Specialist to lead onboarding and ongoing training across outpatient substance use treatment, behavioral health, and residential programs. You will align training with ASAM Criteria and CARF/state/federal standards, and collaborate with Clinical Managers to meet departmental goals.

You will build curricula, track compliance, and support professional development while upholding CITC values and tribal healing philosophies.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field.
• State licensure as LCSW/LMFT/LPC or Psychologist within three months of hire.
• Continued employment contingent upon satisfactory fingerprint background check.

Responsibilities

• Conduct onboarding and ongoing training for clinical staff.
• Deliver training on ASAM Criteria, levels of care, and program handbooks.
• Translate accreditation and regulatory requirements into practical staff training.
• Develop annual training calendar with leadership input.
• Assist with training materials and reference guides.

Skills

ASAM Criteria knowledge

Clinical documentation

Training delivery

Communication skills

MS Office / EHR / LMS

Education

Master's degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related field

State licensure (LCSW/LMFT/LPC/Psychologist) within 3 months of hire

Background check clearance

Tools

MS Office

Electronic Health Record systems

Learning management software

Job description

• Base Pay $98,300.00 - $122,100.00 / Year
• Job Category Recovery & Reentry
• Employee Type Exempt - Full Time

Contact information

• Name HR Department

Description

Job Title: Clinical Training Specialist

Department: Recovery & Reentry

Reports To: Director/Sr. Director, Recovery & Reentry

Supervises: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: E5

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

AKBCU: Yes ICPA: No

General Functions

The Clinical Training Specialist ensures CITC clinical staff are trained, onboarded, and supported to practice in accordance with Cook Inlet Tribal Council's expectations across outpatient substance use treatment, behavioral health, and residential treatment, including ASAM Levels of Care (e.g., 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, and 3.5). In collaboration with Clinical Managers, the Specialist leads new-hire onboarding and ongoing training in clinical documentation, the ASAM Criteria, program handbooks, and CITC's tribal values and philosophy of care. Working alongside Clinical Managers, Supervisors, and Department Leadership, the Specialist identifies training needs, supports integrating training into daily practice, and ensures that service delivery aligns with CITC's mission and values, CARF accreditation standards, and all State and Federal service delivery requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct department orientation sessions and track completion of required onboarding training, including review of CITC staff handbooks, program policies, and standards for specific programs and levels of care (e.g., residential, outpatient, and behavioral health).
• Orient new staff to CITC's tribal values, philosophy of care (i.e., Therapeutic Living Community model), and culturally grounded approach to healing.
• Train staff in clinical documentation using the DAP (Data, Assessment, Plan) note format and participant-centered treatment plans, including timeliness, medical necessity, and alignment with individualized treatment plans.
• Train staff in the ASAM Criteria, including multidimensional assessment, level-of-care placement, continued stay, and transition and discharge planning.
• Deliver training specific to residential, outpatient substance use, and behavioral health programs in compliance with ASAM Levels of Care.
• Translate CARF accreditation, fidelity, and State/Federal requirements into practical training for staff.
• Build and deliver an annual training calendar, including mandatory in-services, in coordination with department leadership.
• Prepare and update handouts, guides, and reference tools that support consistent clinical practice.
• Collaborate with Clinical Managers, Supervisors, and Department Leadership to identify training needs across programs, including conducting program observations (where appropriate), documentation reviews, and providing feedback and coaching to staff.
• Assess whether trained skills are being used in daily practice and provide follow-up training as needed.
• Review training content and handbooks periodically to ensure they reflect current CITC policy, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Support group facilitators with curriculum, materials, and workshops that reflect the values and mission of the department, and assist with procurement of materials needed for training.
• Support employees in professional development and the next step of their career path, as applicable.
• Maintain confidentiality according to all state and federal regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Perform all related duties as needed and assigned.

Job Specifications

• Working knowledge of the ASAM Criteria and levels of care.
• Proficiency in clinical documentation standards, including DAP notes, treatment planning, and medical necessity.
• Knowledge of service delivery in outpatient substance use, behavioral health, and residential treatment settings.
• Understanding of Alaska Native and American Indian cultural values and their role in healing, with the ability to convey CITC's tribal values and philosophy of care to staff.
• Familiarity with CARF accreditation standards and State and Federal behavioral health and substance use requirements.
• Knowledge of evidence-informed interventions and manualized psycho-educational programs.
• Ability to deliver practical, engaging training to providers, paraprofessionals, and non-clinical staff, both in person and virtually.
• Ability to communicate complex information to people with varying levels of education, training, and learning styles.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and coaching that supports staff growth.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound decision-making and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, electronic health record systems, and learning management software.

Minimum Core Competencies

CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Continued employment is contingent upon completion of satisfactory state and federal fingerprint criminal background check.
• Master's degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
• State of Alaska licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, LPC, or Psychologist within three (3) months of hire.
• Three (3) years of experience providing training, clinical supervision, or staff development in a behavioral health or substance use setting.
• Three (3) years of experience providing direct behavioral health and/or substance use clinical services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience training or supervising staff in clinical documentation and the ASAM Criteria.
• Alaska Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification (CDC) I/II/S.
• Experience working in outpatient and residential environments, including ASAM Levels of Care 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, and 3.5 programs.
• Experience providing a combination of group, individual, and family treatment.
• Experience working with Alaska Native and American Indian communities and culturally grounded models of care.
• Experience in CARF-accredited programs.

Physical Requirements

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.

• May require prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and consistently working on a computer with repetitive motion.
• The need to occasionally move around the office to access filing cabinets, storage cabinets, and office equipment may be necessary.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.