Behavioral Health Specialist

Description:

Summary of Responsibilities:

$$ SIGN ON BONUSES UP TO $1,500 $$

We offer 2 different sign-on bonuses for the Residential Behavioral Health Specialist2. 1 for full-time employees and 1 for part-time employees. Information on how these bonuses are paid is below.

Can you see yourself becoming part of a trauma informed team? If you can, read on.

Your mission as a Residential Behavioral Health Specialist with AK Child & Family will be bringing hope to troubled young lives through a broad range of mental health services. Offering structure, care and your expertise to help young people with trauma build strong, positive, healthy lives.

• Healthy coping mechanisms
• Behavior patterns
• Emotion regulation
• Develop healthy relationships and boundaries.

As a positive role model, we allow youth to develop trusting relationships and heal from trauma. Understanding each youth’s individual treatment plan and guiding them towards a successful discharge is so rewarding. The work can be challenging, however in that challenge, you will come to know each student and that you were part of their growth and healing by:

• Interacting with/supervision of children and/or adolescents who are placed in residential treatment units and have severe emotional and behavioral challenges
• Being part of therapeutic interactions on an individual and group basis Implementing appropriate treatment strategies with the students
• Completing timely documentation
• Doing household chores like cleaning and cooking duties
• Participating in psycho-educational groups
• Leading physical activities
• Additional duties as assigned
• All positions at AK Child & Family may have responsibilities altered during the course of employment due to agency imperatives.

AK Child & Family practices the Sanctuary Model which is a non-hierarchical, highly participatory, trauma-informed and evidence-supported whole culture approach, which helps the organization function in a safe, democratic and socially responsible manner and thereby provide effective treatment for clients and the community. We expect all of our employees, families and students to learn, understand and implement this model as part of their daily responsibilities and commitment to the culture of this agency.

A $1,500 Sign-On Bonus for full-time employees. The bonus is paid in 3 installments. The first is awarded upon hire paid at the completion of your Agency orientation. A second $500 bonus is paid at your 6-month anniversary. A final $500 bonus is paid at your 1-year anniversary.

A $600 Sign-On Bonus is available for hire as a relief employee committing to work at least 2 shifts per week. A $200 bonus is paid at the conclusion of your Agency orientation and a second and final $400 bonus is paid after 90 days working at least 2 shifts per week.

All employees with AK Child & Family are required to be in compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid COVID vaccine mandate. The mandate requires that by 2/14/22, staff at all health care facilities must have received their first dose of a 2-shot series (Moderna or Pfizer, currently) or a single dose of a 1-shot vaccine (Johnson and Johnson, currently) with the exception of those that have sought and been granted an exemption to the COVID mandate. Staff must complete this step before they can provide any care, treatment or other services for the facility and/or its patients. By 3/15/22, all staff with the exception of those that have sought and been granted an exemption to the COVID mandate, must complete the primary vaccination series.

Benefits are available to both Part-Time and Full-Time employees!

Health 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

Other Benefits:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off (PTO) - 13 hours/month in 1st year and then increases
• 2 Floating Holidays/year 6 Observed Holidays: double-time pay for working on the Holiday
• Longevity & Referral Bonuses

Pay:

• $17.00/hour+ DOE
• A variance may be available based on approval
• 3% pay increase after successful completion of 6-month Intro Period

Supervision and Coordination of Services:

• The Residential Behavioral Health Specialist (RBHS) reports to the Treatment Program Supervisor.
• The RBHS adheres to standards and regulations as set forth by the Agency, OCS Licensing, The Joint Commission, and Medicaid.
• Duties are carried out in accordance with AK Child & Family policies, Mission, Core Values, and Philosophy of Care.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must meet 1 of the 4 criteria listed below:

1. A bachelor's level degree program from an accredited college or university in a human services related field; or
2. At least six months of full-time work experience in residential treatment for children, inpatient long-term treatment for children, or other treatment of severely emotionally disturbed children and the education outlined in A or B below. You only need A or B, not both.
   (A) An associate level degree from an accredited college or university in a human services related field; or
   (B) At least two years of college credit toward a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a human services or related field; or
3. At least one year of full-time caregiver experience in residential treatment for children, inpatient long-term treatment of children, or treatment of severely emotionally disturbed children and a high school diploma or GED; or
4. Documentation of successful completion on no less than 100 hours of competency-based training provided by your current employer.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A valid Alaska Driver’s license is required (or must be obtained within 60 days of hire).
• Work effectively with emotionally and behaviorally challenged children/youth and their families.
• Engage in vigorous physical and recreational activities.
• Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Have the understanding and sensitivity to serve a culturally diverse and/or special needs population.

Physical Demands:

• Drive and transport students in AK Child & Family vehicles.
• Efficiently access AK Child & Family and community buildings for meetings and agency activities in order to perform all job responsibilities.
• Physically manage students, aged twelve to eighteen years, according to AK Child & Family physical management policy.
• Move quickly throughout living unit and outdoor area in order to monitor/supervise student activities, alarm systems, emergency procedures, lighting, etc.
• Legibly produce reports regarding students and cottage events.
• Transport self within the Anchorage Borough to meet with schools, families, and other involved parties.
• Supervise and assist students with chores; use unit washer and dryer, sort, fold and store laundry.
• Participate in the maintenance of a clean-living unit and grounds (shoveling/sweeping snow, raking, picking up trash, etc.).
• Pick-up, carry and store groceries, household and program items.
• Supervise and participate in recreational and leisure time activities.