Openings

Do you have a passion for working with children and families? Are you ready to put your hard-earned education to use providing the structure, care and expertise to help young people build strong, positive, health lives?

What makes us special? We practice the Sanctuary Model of care.  As the only Sanctuary Certified agency in Alaska we champion the Sanctuary Model, fostering safety and resilience during recovery from adversity. The Sanctuary model is a blueprint for change, which at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community. A recognition that trauma is pervasive in the experience of human beings forms the basis for the Sanctuary Model’s focus not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems who provide those services. 

This position is in-person.

It is made up of a shared language, tools and 7 Commitments:

• Growth and Change:  Embracing continuous learning, resilience, and innovation to build a supportive community that helps students, and their families overcome trauma and create a brighter future
• Emotional Intelligence– Awareness of our own and other's feelings to foster healthy interactions
• Social Learning –Sharing and valuing ideas while learning from one another
• Social Responsibility– Committing to care for each other, ourselves, and community
• Open Communication –Clear, respectful and honest communication
• Democracy – Aligning with shared goals and values, respecting and valuing diverse opinions, and encouraging constructive discussion to reach positive solutions
• Nonviolence – Physical, emotional, moral, cultural and social safety for others and ourselves

Summary of Responsibilities:

• The Intake Clinical Therapist is responsible for conducting admission assessments on students for consideration to AK Child & Family programs. This includes:
• Meeting with referral sources
• Collection of psychological/psychiatric/ bio-psychosocial and family histories
• Performing mental status evaluations
• Completing the admission assessment form(s)
• Providing a written recommendation based on the results of the admission assessment
• Presenting the results of the admission assessment to the director of admissions and to the program director or his/her designee(s) for the final decision. 
• Abiding by all safety rules and regulations of the facility. 
• Carrying out all responsibilities according to AK Child & Family policies, and mission of AK Child & Family and its philosophy of care.
• Adhering to standards and regulations as set forth by the agency, The Joint Commission and OCS licensing.
• Assumes additional duties as assigned.

Benefits:

• Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, & Vision
• Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Account
• Group Life and AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - 13 hours/month in 1st year
• 2 Floating Holidays/year
• 6 Observed Holidays
• Bonuses: Longevity & Referral

Pay:

• $60,000 - $86,000 DOE and licensure
• Bonus in the amount of 1.5% of annual salary after successful completion of 6-month Intro Period and another at the 1-year anniversary.

• The Intake Clinical Therapist reports to the Director of Admissions.
• Clinical supervision is available to support obtaining licensure to practice mental health counseling/psychology in the state of Alaska as soon as eligible to sit for the exam, but no later than two years from initial date of employment at AK Child & Family.
• Collaborates and coordinates services with all staff via established committees and performance improvement activities.
• Is a member of the admissions department and works collaboratively with other members of the department.
• Adheres to the professional ethics of the American Psychological Association or the National Association of Social Workers (M.S.W. only).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Intake Clinical Therapists must have the ability to relate to and experience in working with emotionally disturbed children/adolescents and their families in a psychiatric or residential setting.
• Possess a demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Have knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and assessment, child/adolescent development, family systems therapy, separation and loss, physical/sexual abuse, trauma, individual and group therapies is essential.
• Demonstrated psycho-social assessment, treatment planning, advocacy skills and case management skills; excellent written, interpersonal and oral communication skills; creativity/flexibility on delivery of services; and the ability to function on an interdisciplinary treatment team are essential components of the position.
• The screening decisions and assessments completed by the Intake Clinical Therapist has a significant impact on students, their families, and the respective AK Child & Family Programs. Because of this there are often numerous deadlines that must be managed concurrently.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license and ability to travel between campuses and within the community.

Education and Experience:

• An Intake Clinical Therapist must hold a master's degree in psychology, counseling, or social work from an accredited school.
• Two years post-graduate experience working with emotionally disturbed children/adolescents and their families is preferred.
• Experience working in a residential setting as well as demonstrated knowledge of outpatient settings is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge in cognitive therapy, sexual abuse treatment, individual and family therapy is preferred.

• The Intake Clinical Therapist must be able to: efficiently access all buildings on all campuses for meetings, training, reviews, etc.
• Drive a vehicle between campuses, to referral sources, meetings, other job related duties
• Do both data entry and word processing with a personal computer at a minimum of 45 words per minute
• Work with files stored in cabinets to 55" high
• Use copy machines that are 44" high
• Handle and transport records and notebooks weighing up to 20 pounds
• Utilize standard telephone for long periods of time.