Crisis Behavioral Health Clinician $25K Sign On and $10K Relo

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC); Sitka (AK); On-site; USD 43,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision

Life insurance

Long- and short-term disability

Job summary

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) is seeking a behavioral health clinician to perform evidence-based crisis intervention in Sitka, including evaluation for the most appropriate level of care and involuntary assessments under Alaska law. The role collaborates with an interdisciplinary hospital team at Mount Edgecumbe Hospital’s emergency department.

Responsibilities include intake evaluations, crisis counseling, discharge planning, and coordinating care with external agencies.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Licensed as Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Professional Counselor (LPC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) preferred.
• Valid State of Alaska Driver's License (or obtainable within 6 months of hire).
• BLS within 3 months of hire.
• Alaska State Chemical Dependency Counselor I or MAC certificate or equivalent preferred.
• SEARHC Clinical Competency at 3 months and every 3 years thereafter.

Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based, culturally relevant crisis intervention services in Sitka at Mount Edgecumbe Hospital.
• Assess individuals in crisis to determine the most appropriate level of care.
• Implement Alaska Statute Title 47 involuntary assessments and documentation.
• Coordinate care with other agencies and hospitals to facilitate higher level of care when indicated.
• Work closely with patient’s support team, including family and outside providers.
• Communicate collaboratively as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Utilize Trauma-Informed Care in all patient, employee, and community interactions.
• Provide short-term management of mental health and substance use disorders.
• Provide motivational interviewing and psychoeducation.
• Coordinate care within the SEARCH health system and local community agencies.
• Maintain complete, timely documentation as required by SEARCH policy and Title 47.
• Self-monitor and fulfill licensure requirements as required by licensing board.
• Adhere to HIPAA and SEARHC policy.
• Attend meetings and trainings; respond to coding/audit requests timely.
• Complete provider enrollment expectations and documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Evidence-based practice

Trauma-Informed Care

Motivational interviewing

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Documentation

HIPAA compliance

Communication

Education

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

LCSW/LPC/LMFT license preferred

Valid Alaska driver's license

BLS certification

Alaska State Chemical Dependency Counselor I or MAC certificate preferred

SEARHC Clinical Competency at 3 months and every 3 years thereafter

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Pay Range

Pay Range: $29.82 - $41.60

Overview

This position performs evidence-based culturally relevant crisis intervention services in Sitka at Mount Edgecumbe Hospital in the emergency room and other departments for individuals experiencing behavioral, emotional, substance, and/or mental disorders. An essential component of the role is evaluation of individuals who present in crisis to determine the most appropriate level of care, up to and including involuntary psychiatric hospitalization (Alaska Statute Title 47 Involuntary Commitment and Admission for Treatment). The clinician also performs other behavioral health services such as intake/diagnostic evaluations, case evaluations, crisis counseling and intervention, discharge planning, and coordination of care with external agencies. The clinician is an active, professional, engaged member of the patient's interdisciplinary hospital treatment team comprised of physicians, nurses, utilization review staff, social work, discharge planners, etc. All services are documented within the electronic health record in accordance with established SEARHC policies, procedures and regulatory bodies. The clinician follows and maintains established clinical outcome measures and productivity standards.

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 insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and long- and short-term disability, and more.

Key Essential Functions And Accountabilities Of The Job

• Provide evidence-based, culturally relevant crisis intervention services in Sitka at Mount Edgecumbe Hospital.
• In coordination with the interdisciplinary team, assess individuals in crisis to determine the most appropriate level of care.
• Implement Alaska Statute Title 47 for psychiatric involuntary assessments and associated documentation.
• Coordinate care with other agencies and hospitals to facilitate a higher level of care when indicated.
• Work closely and supportively with members of the patient's support team, e.g., family members, guardians, outside treatment providers.
• Communicate actively, collaboratively and professionally as a member of the patient's interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Utilize Trauma-Informed Care in all aspects of patient, employee, and community interactions.
• Provide short-term management of mental health and substance use disorders for individuals within the hospital and/or community setting.
• Provide motivational interviewing, bio-psychosocial education, and skill development.
• Coordinate care within the SEARCH health system and local community social agencies to assure appropriate referrals are offered for optimal individualized care.
• Maintain complete, timely, and accurate documentation of all services as required by SEARCH policy and procedure and Title 47 statutes.
• Self-monitor and fulfill licensure requirements as required by the clinician's licensing board.
• Adhere to patient confidentiality, sharing, and release of information per HIPAA and SEARHC policy.
• Attend, engage, and participate in meetings and trainings.
• Promptly respond to coding/audit requests and corrections in a respectful, professional, and timely fashion.
• Complete all required provider enrollment expectations and documentation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education, Certifications, and Licenses Required

• Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Licensed as Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Professional Counselor (LPC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) preferred.
• Once licensure is obtained it is a requirement to keep it current for the duration of employment.
• Clinicians who are not yet licensed will receive clinical supervision to ensure appropriate delivery of behavioral health services.
• Valid State of Alaska Driver's License (or obtainable within 6 months of hire).
• BLS required within 3 months of hire.
• Alaska State Chemical Dependency Counselor I or MAC certificate or equivalent preferred.
• SEARHC Clinical Competency at 3 months and every 3 years thereafter.

Experience Required

• 2 years of experience in a mental health, substance use treatment program or similar behavioral health agency.
• Experience with behavioral health assessment and diagnoses for patients of all ages.

Knowledge of

• Behavioral health assessment and diagnostic evaluation criteria.
• Treatment plan development and patient/family centered goals and objectives.
• Evidence-based modern methods, techniques, and procedures used in individual and family interventions for emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues.
• Federal and state mandatory reporting requirements.
• Ethical and legal management practices, patient rights, state mandatory reporting requirements, documentation regulations specific to HIPAA, CARF, The Joint Commission, HRSA, State Medicaid and Federal regulations.

Skill and Ability to

• Assess patients for risk of suicide, self-harm or homicide and develop effective safety plans.
• Assess patient for grave disability due to a serious acute or chronic mental illness.
• Implement and document Alaska Title 47 involuntary hold and treatment forms.
• Advocate for patients and coordinate required services or resolve problems in crisis situations.
• Analyze, evaluate, and diagnose situations and adopt effective courses of action.
• Document clear and concise reports drawing from direct patient observation, screenings, and assessments in accordance with professional standards, state regulations and department protocol.
• Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in patients' needs.
• Maintain knowledge of new developments in behavioral health assessment and counseling.

Required Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) – American Heart Association.
• Clinical Competency Assessment – SEARHC.
• Driver License – State of Alaska.