Primary responsibilities include providing supportive behavioral health services to individuals, families and the communities and coordinating local activities aimed at improving emotional and behavioral wellness.  The Addictions Counselor Trainee position is in the Behavioral Health Department within the Community & Family Services Division and under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Clinical Director.  Job responsibilities and functions are coordinated with the village councils. 

Major Responibilities:

1. Participate as a member of Chugachmiut's Behavioral Health Department, Addictions Program in activities planning and service delivery.  Work to develop case management procedures, skills training and support groups, education and prevention activities and coordinate community-based events, adhere to all documentation standards for notes, file set up, treatment planning and case reviews, participate in weekly supervision face to face, on the phone with the Behavioral Health Department team.

2. Provide direct behavioral health services, primarily addictions related, as skills develop and training levels increase, including group and individual counseling, intake, case management, resource referral and other activities as directed by supervisor or attending certified Addictions Counselor.  

3. Coordinate addictions services with team members and other Chugachmiut programs and services to promote community-wide sobriety and drug abstinence.

4. Provide interpersonal support, advocacy/resource referral, skills training including problem solving assistance, education and prevention for wellness activities including talks, presentations, groups, activities, newsletter articles for the community and to individuals and families in need of services.  Provide case management, case review, and referral to protective services for individuals and families as-needed.

5. At the direction of the tribal councils, and in coordination with other agencies, develop community-based training events that enhance the quality of interpersonal, safety, wellness, communication and problem solving skills within each community.  (Examples: Clean/sober activities such as gym nights, school-based activities, etc.)

6. In conjunction with other members of the Behavioral Health Department and local human service providers, develop preparedness plans for responding to crisis situations within the Chugach Region.

7. Enhance local resources and interest in Substance Abuse Prevention and general wellness promotion activities through outreach and education.

8. Provide support groups on topics relevant to sobriety and clean living within the community: Positive Indian Parenting, grief or anger management and co-facilitate process groups with a counselor when asked. 

9. Commit to being able to consistently (weekly/daily) provide the space and availability for 12-step support and recovery/sobriety support groups and demonstrate consistent follow through on this. 

10. Support the work of the local Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) as a partner for community health, as possible.

11. Work cooperatively with the Addictions Coordinator to further training with the goal of clinical proficiency.

12. Adhere to legal and professional standards of ethics including confidentiality, informed consent and documentation and seek out this education whenever possible.

13. Prepare and submit periodic progress and activity reports and assist in data collection and program evaluations as requested such as monthly reports and narratives for the quarterly report.

14. Obtain and maintain certification (as applicable) and comply with continuing education requirements of the profession.

15. Maintain a work plan designed with clinical supervisor regarding professional goals and objectives for every fiscal year, monitoring weekly and monthly progress.

16. Maintain clinic files and file documents and corrections edits following submission for approval by clinical supervisor in a timely fashion.

17. Work includes regular hours of availability posted on the Behavioral Health door and at the council office and advertised, community and home-based visits.

18. Must be able to submit leave requests, purchase orders, travel requests and trip reports and time sheets, accurately, according to policy, procedure and request of supervisor and in advance as trained.

19. Employees are expected to embrace, support and promote the core values of respect, integrity, trust, compassion and quality which align with Chugachmiut’s Mission and Vision through their actions and interactions with all patients, staff, and others.

20. Conforms to Chugachmiut policies, strict employee confidentiality, and HIPAA regulations.

21. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Education Requirements

• High School education or equivalent.
• Knowledge of and ability to work well with local community.
• Reliable, dependable, ability to demonstrate programs and events follow through and consistency in availability.
• Ability to live and work in a rural setting and travel by light aircraft when required.
• Will be required to work toward obtaining a CDC I level of certification.
• Must maintain a reputation of sobriety and confidentiality.

​Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to form effective supportive relationships.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Openness, adaptability and flexibility to learn new things and ways.
• Ability to apply accepted techniques of supportive intervention with communities, families, and children.
• Ability to communicate positively and effectively, both verbally and in writing, in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Submission of documentation in a timely manner as required by job description and requested by supervisor.
• Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to follow instructions, be independent and function as a team player.

Hours of work are 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This is a part-time 22.5 hours per week and 1170 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:

• 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.