SBIRT SPECIALIST I

SUMMARY

Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice used to identify, reduce, and prevent problematic use, abuse and dependence on alcohol and drugs.  It also screens individuals for depression, suicide, trauma, and tobacco use. The SBIRT Specialist will be the Point of Contact (POC) for the individual and/or family to coordinate services at FNA or other community agencies providing a warm hand off with the intake department, assessment, or other community service. 

Grant summary: Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) Early Intervention (SBIRT) provides services to all ethnicities of children, adolescents, and adults in an effort to reduce alcohol and other drug use through early intervention.  Services are provided within FNA and community sites identified by the Behavioral Health Community Coalition.

JOB DUTIES

• Conducts Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) using empathy and engendering optimistic empowerment for consumers; using evidence-based practices identified by the program at FNA or designated community locations.
• Provides brief suicide assessment, safety planning including access to lethal means counseling, and rapid referral to crisis services for at-risk suicide. if warranted.
• Provides brief interventions for at-risk substance use to assist with discussing a potential issue and motivating the consumer to do something about the issue either by natural means, client-directed means or by seeking additional substance abuse treatment.  Brief interventions can be used to build rapport, provide feedback and advice, and build readiness to change to reduce the risk of harm that could result from continued use of substances.
• May provide solution focused brief treatment, in collaboration with the Clinical Supervisor, focusing on the present, to teach tools to change basic attitudes and handle a variety of underlying co-existing problems.
• Refers consumers with moderate to high-risk substance use, mental health and/or suicide to available emergency services or other community or in-house mental health providers who are able to provide a more in-depth assessment, crisis intervention, outpatient and/or residential treatment services.
• If consumer is on a waitlist for treatment, SBIRT Specialist will attempt regular contact, provide health education, and regular communication with program staff providing a warm hand off for assessment and other services.
• Implements contingency management by providing vouchers for completion of screenings if program warrants.
• Ensures clinical and billing documentation is submitted through the appropriate channels in the electronic health record preferably on same day or within 24 hours.
• Participates in professional development and quality assurance activities to improve the quality of service provided.
• Attends staff meetings, in-service training, and presents cases for routine/problematic staffing as needed.
• Maintains consumer confidentiality in accordance with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPPA.
• Documents activities by completing the Staff Activity Logs (SALS) daily. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY

• Ability to rapidly establish a strong working relationship with a person seeking help, exhibiting an overall attitude of understanding and acceptance.
• Knowledge or ability to learn counseling skills such as active listening and helping consumers explore and resolve ambivalence.
• Ability to discuss sensitive topics and help a person who may be experiencing domestic violence, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse and/or suicidal thoughts/behaviors.
• Knowledge of stages-of-change through which a consumer moves when thinking about, beginning, and trying to maintain new behavior.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native cultures and traditional healing practices.
• Knowledge of suicide risk, suicide prevention, and mental health topics.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, agencies, and consumers.
• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.
• Ability to write professionally and communicate effectively, as well as act in a professional manner.
• Ability to report to work in a timely manner and apply proper time management skills.
• Ability to use computers and other common office technology.

• Collaborates and makes recommendations with FNA treatment programs and other community-based service options in placement committee meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus at least two (2) years providing behavioral health services, or bachelor’s degree with at least one (1 year of experience)
• Experience working with American Indian and/or Alaskan Native populations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in a human service field preferred.
• Experience serving the Fairbanks population.
• Experience in providing behavioral health screening tools and computing results.