School-Based Clinician

Volunteers of America of Alaska•Anchorage, AK

About The Position

The School-Based Clinician provides clinical services to clients enrolled in identified Anchorage schools, potentially serving elementary, middle, or high school students depending on the clinician’s experience, competence, and interests. The role is a satellite member of the outpatient team, primarily working at a school site for on-site clinical support and, when appropriate, from a confidential home workspace using a virtual platform. The position is full-time and spans 10 months, with an eight-week hiatus during June and July; benefits remain available year-round. The clinician provides mental health and substance use services to youth and families, collaborates with school and outpatient treatment teams, and supports school communities with consultation, resources, and training. Services and documentation must comply with applicable Medicaid, CARF, public health, behavioral health, confidentiality, and agency standards. The role requires independent work across school, community, and home settings, with availability by telephone and email during work hours.

Requirements

Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.
Ability to work with diverse community groups and provide culturally competent, culturally appropriate, and individualized treatment services.
Ability to make sound decisions based on available information.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Ability to work independently.
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating substance use and mental health disorders.
Critical-thinking skills, including using logic and reasoning to assess alternatives and solve problems.
Judgment and decision-making skills, including evaluating the relative costs and benefits of potential actions.
Active-learning skills, including understanding the implications of new information for current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Solution-focused attitude and ability to work well as part of a team.
Ability to work flexible hours, including days, evenings, and some weekends.
Ability to travel if required and must have own transportation.
Ability to provide current credentials or, if credentials are not current, willingness to work toward certification requirements and obtain QAP within three years of hire.
Must have a private home workspace for telehealth services and be reachable by telephone and email during available work hours.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience working with children and adolescents experiencing behavioral health complications and conditions that have affected their quality of life.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of up to 20 adolescents, depending on the severity of needs and frequency of services or contact.
Provide mental health and substance use services, including integrated assessments, treatment plans and reviews, case management, crisis intervention, and individual, group, and family therapy.
Provide consultation, technical assistance, and resources to school personnel on trauma-informed services, de-escalation, identifying behavioral health needs, and referrals to care.
Provide mental health and wellness training to school faculty and families of ASD students.
Coordinate services with school-based staff, substance abuse counselors when applicable, outpatient providers when applicable, and the identified clinical and consulting team members.
Contribute to the development of mental health services, including group curricula when applicable.
Complete documentation and services in accordance with Medicaid, CARF, Division of Public Health, Division of Behavioral Health, and agency requirements.
Collaborate as a member of the outpatient clinical team to ensure youth receive effective services in accordance with their treatment plans.
Maintain program integrity and client safety.
Maintain contact with parents about clients’ treatment plans, prognosis, and progress.
Maintain contact with teachers and other school officials about clients’ needs.
Protect client confidentiality and information in accordance with 42 C.F.R. Part 2 and HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
Complete assigned duties within timelines established by the immediate supervisor.