Mental Health Clinician

Catholic Social Services; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Anchorage seeks a Mental Health Clinician to provide assessments, psychotherapy, and treatment planning for clients experiencing homelessness or at risk. The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, HIPAA-compliant recordkeeping, and collaboration with the Behavioral Health team.

The position requires a Master’s degree in counseling/psychology/social work and active licensure plans in Alaska, plus a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field.
• Must possess and maintain a qualifying professional behavioral health license in Alaska (or be actively pursuing licensure with a plan to obtain within 3 years).

Responsibilities

• Provide behavioral and diagnostic assessments to determine level of care and initial engagement strategies.
• Deliver individual, group, and family treatment that is strength-based, trauma-aware, and aligned with the 1115 Waiver.
• Identify risk factors including lethality for suicidal, homicidal, and grave disability.
• Maintain participant records under HIPAA and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Coordinate treatment team involvement and facilitate engagement in consultations.
• Refer participants for additional services and provide advocacy and follow-up on referrals.
• Complete clinical documentation as required by state/federal rules and agency policy.

Skills

Teamwork

Stress Tolerance

Empathy

Assessment skills

Treatment planning

Discharge planning

HIPAA compliance

Trauma-informed care

Microsoft Office

Cultural awareness

Problem solving

Critical thinking

Education

Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of the Mental Health Clinician is to provide clinical services to clients who are currently homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness. The mental health clinician position provides assessments, treatment plan development and individual psychotherapy services with a trauma informed lens.

ABOUT US

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.

Mission:

To promote the physical, spiritual and mental welfare of persons in need in the community.This mission is achieved by:

Offering charitable assistance to those in need, especially persons who are poor

Developing and conducting programs to strengthen and support families and the dignity of the human spirit

Administering the Corporal Works of Mercy and Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and envisioned by the traditional concepts of Catholic Social Teaching and Action through the laity

And advocating for social justice for the common good of all

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT

The Behavioral Health services program provides assessments, treatment plan development and individual psychotherapy to clients who are currently homeless staying in shelter or at risk of becoming homeless. This department works across the agency interacting with other CSS programs to implement Behavioral Health services within most of CSS’ programs. The Behavioral Health program works with other providers in the agency to provide education about best practices and ways to provide wrap around services to clients.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Competency:

Teamwork: Interacts with people effectively. Encourages and respects the input of all team members.Communicates openly and honestly. Cooperates within the team and across the agency.

Stress Tolerance: Displays emotional resilience. Deals with difficult and adverse events while maintaining professionalism and caring. Responds appropriately in the face of tension, emotion, and resistance. Seeks support from others when necessary and uses appropriate coping techniques.

Empathy: Provides empathy towards clients who are receiving services. Focuses on individualizing care based on people’s needs. Provides nonjudgmental services.

Competent in assessing participant risk factors, including lethality for suicidal, homicidal, and grave disability.

Competent in dealing with clients in other crises as well as a highly structured, fast-paced daily routine.

Knowledge:

Knowledge in mental health disorders, co-occurring disorders, diagnostic procedures, DSM 5, counseling techniques, group therapy, assessment skills, treatment planning, and discharge planning.

Knowledge and competency in substance use disorder counseling and intervention techniques applied to individual, group, and family situations, including medical model.

Knowledge and competency in providing services and appropriately maintaining participant records under HIPAA and record compliance guidelines.

Knowledge of cultural and spiritual values and how they relate to the disease, recovery, and wellness in Alaska Native and American Indian men and women.

Knowledge about trauma informed care practices

Skills:

Fully proficient in Microsoft Office.

Adaptability.

Problem solving.

Empathy.

Willingness to learn.

Critical thinking.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide behavioral and diagnostic assessments to determine the level of care services, initial engagement strategies, treatment planning, discharge planning, and individual psychotherapy.

Provide individual, group, and family treatment that is strength-based, person-centered, and trauma-aware per the mission, goals, and objectives of the 1115 Waiver.

Identify risk factors, including lethality for suicidal, homicidal, and grave disability.

Responsible for maintaining participant records under HIPAA and record compliance guidelines.

Responsible for completing clinical documentation in compliance with state and federal regulations, the 1115 waiver and agency policy.

Coordinate treatment team involvement and promote engagement in consultation.

Conduct participant referrals for additional services as medically necessary based on treatment needs for continuity of care.

Provide advocacy and follow-up on referrals.

Comply with required training needs to improve service delivery.

Perform related duties as needed and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education Requirement: Master’s degree in a counseling, psychology, social work, or related field.

Minimum Experience Requirement – Licensed Clinician:

Must posses and maintain a qualifying professional behavioral health license in the State of Alaska.

Minimum Experience Requirement – Unlicensed Clinician:

One (1) year of experience in counseling, substance use disorder counseling, or addiction counseling. Demonstratable knowledge of delivering trauma-informed care services.

Must be actively working toward obtaining a qualifying professional behavioral health license in the State of Alaska and obtain licensure within three (3) years of hire.

A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and personal vehicle are required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard indoor office environment. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Frequently sitting or standing at a desk for several hours at a time.

Travel out of Alaska is rare. Occasional travel within Anchorage is required.

Location: 4600 Debarr Road, Anchorage, AK.