The Addictions Counselor position is located in the Community & Family Services Division under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Clinical Director.  This traveling position is an integral member of the Behavioral Health Department and works collaboratively with other Behavioral Health Services staff to provide comprehensive, holistic behavioral health services to those clients seeking to recover from addictions.   

It is of utmost importance that the Addictions Counselor provides regular groups and one-on-one counseling for recovery from addictions, ensures clarity in all communications for which he/she is responsible- both written and verbal, and meets the highest standards of confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism.

An Addictions Counselor works in diverse areas, initiating and providing assessment and treatment of emotional, behavioral, psychological, and physical (such as in the cases of active intoxication or withdrawals) habits and addictions.  This position travels frequently and carries responsibility for assisting in the recovery and healing process for clients of the Behavioral Health Department.  Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide assessments for the clients of the Behavioral Health Department including outpatient substance abuse, residential treatment, and court referrals as-needed.
• Provide and facilitate group counseling for substance abusing, addicted, and/or co-occurring condition clients.
• Coordinate and provide Continuing Care or Aftercare and continuing contacts for program participants through frequent telephone or face-to-face contacts.
• Provide individual counseling, as indicated through comprehensive assessments.
• Help periodic Addictions Recovery Camps through the provision of counseling, running groups, assessing, providing treatment plans, logistics, etc. as-needed and/or directed.
• Network, collaborate and correspond with agencies working with clients.  
• Provide coverage for other Addictions Counselors and Clinicians through outpatient counseling services while these counselors are unavailable.
• Maintain a spectrum of clinical services to assist clients in the transition from residential to outpatient and aftercare as needed
• Document client progress through the Indian Health Service’s RPMS, the State of Alaska AKAIMS documentation program, or other systems as directed by the Behavioral Health Clinical Director.
• Under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Clinical Director, set up client files and ensure that documentation is complete and HIPAA and Medicaid compliant.
• Participate in the BHD treatment team staffing and ensure teamwork in providing services as requested.
• Maintain data as required by the Director and submit reports as needed.
• Attend required meetings and training.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in regard to client, staff, and program matters.
• Assist in program planning and development of the outpatient addictions program.
• Provide psycho-educational information for individuals, schools, and community groups as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned and as seen as needed.

Education Requirements

• Willingness to learn the traditions and culture of the people of the Chugachmiut Region and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Alaska Native communities.
• Must be a certified Chemical Dependency Counselor Level I (or higher) or have a current training plan to become certified within one year of employment.
• Be willing to become certified as a Behavioral Health Aide, if the supervisor requests.
• Willingness to participate as a member of the Behavioral Health Services team in program planning and evaluation.  Able to work cooperatively and independently toward the overall goals of the Behavioral Health Department and those of Chugachmiut.
• Skilled in working with the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in all areas of job performance, including adherence to appropriate professional boundaries and strict confidentiality practices in regard to beneficiary activities and documentation.
• Recovering substance abusers must be alcohol and drug-free for at least two years; he/she will not abuse alcohol/drugs while employed and, when requested, submit to random urinalysis testing.
• Must be willing to work in the evenings on weekdays between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., sometimes later.
• Applies sound clinical judgment, ethics, and accountability to formulate and implement treatment plans and other clinical documentation.
• Must have a positive attitude and a strong customer service mindset.
• Ability to take initiative in problem-solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
• Well-organized, self-motivated and independent worker; understands the need to prioritize work.
• Takes record keeping and file management seriously.
• Maintains high standards for professional work.
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and integrity.

Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an hour for lunch.

This is a full-time 37.5 hours per week and 1950 hours per year position.

Chugachmiut maintains a drug/alcohol-free and non-smoking environment.

Benefits:  

Chugachmiut offers its employees a generous and robust benefits package.

Please visit www.chugachmiut.org for a complete list of our benefits.

Chugachmiut has a hiring preference for qualified Alaska Native and American Indian applicants pursuant to P.L. 93-638 Indian Self Determination Act.

Notice to Applicants:

All applicants offered employment with Chugachmiut will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Chugachmiut policy and Public Law 101.630.

Every offer of employment with Chugachmiut will be made contingent on a background investigation. The nature and extent of the investigation will depend on the job duties of the position for which an offer is made.

USE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Information obtained from a background investigation will be considered for employment purposes as permitted by federal and state law and in accordance with Chugachmiut’s policy.

Information will be reviewed to determine the following:

• Whether an individual made false statements or material omissions on an application for employment or during an interview;
• Whether an applicant or employee, based on the job duties of the position in question, poses a threat to security and/or employee safety in the workplace; and
• The likelihood of an applicant or employee being successful and productive on the job.

E-Verify

Chugachmiut participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with the Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States once a candidate is hired. If E-Verify cannot confirm authorization to work, written instructions will be provided, and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security or Social Security Administration for resolution.