Healthcare, Mental Health

Elma, United States | Posted on 12/10/2025

Northwest Indian Treatment Center (NWITC), which opened in 1994, provides residential alcohol and drug treatment to a primarily Native American population from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. In 2024, NWITC admitted approximately 45-55 new patients per quarter.

NWITC received national accreditation by CARF in January 1998 and is recognized as one of the best residential programs in the country.

As NWITC Director, this position reports to the Squaxin Island Tribe Director of Operations. This position plans, directs, and administers all the activities of the Northwest Indian Treatment Center Residential program. The position manages staff, develops and oversees budgets and program plans, and sets goals and objectives, all in support of NWITC and Squaxin Island Tribal policies.

Included in the expectations of the NWITC Director are activities that enhance relationships with referents; ensures excellence in treatment and aftercare planning, that the medical needs of patients are met and that case management and treatment meets appropriate WAC and CARF standards and NWITC policies; and incorporates feedback from referents, collateral providers, consultants and clinical supervision. Helps integrate cultural values and activities of South Puget Sound Tribes into treatment strategies.

The position involves interacting with external and internal providers as necessary and coordinating crisis management. This position is responsible for treatment planning, staffing, and consultation in the residential program.

The treatment center specializes in unresolved trauma and grief related to chronic relapse patterns. The services of chemical dependency professionals, augmented by a mental health counselor, and the services rendered by a psychiatric nurse practitioner are powerful components of treatment that help stabilize patients. DBT skills are also taught.

The center offers a wide variety of cultural activities and traditional/religious ceremonies, making it a natural place to heal . . body, mind, and soul. Spiritual leaders from around the Northwest participate: singers, storytellers, and basket makers. NWITC has a powerful Native Plants program and medicine gardens on the premises. There is a sweat lodge on-site;
Shaker services are regularly held, and also the Pentecostal Church from Quinault comes. Fittingly, the center was given the spiritual name “D3WXbi Palil” meaning “Returning from the Dark, Deep Waters to the Light.”

• Establishes policies and procedures and integrates core values and the mission of Squaxin Island Tribe Northwest Indian Treatment Center into daily operations.
• Is accessible to persons served and personnel.
• Is responsible for gathering input needed for decision making from persons served, families, personnel, other tribes, and balancing the needs of persons served and other stakeholders. They are also responsible for managing program outcomes.
• Is responsible for maintaining a focus on persons served and families.
• Is responsible for an organized system of information management that is analyzed and used for program maintenance and development, meets the needs of persons served, and ensures information flows to appropriate parties.
• Ensures the administration and operation of the Northwest Indian Treatment Center Program comply with the laws, licenses, permits, regulations, and standards as applicable to the Northwest Indian Treatment Center program and the Squaxin Island Tribe;
• Establishes a strategic plan with mission philosophy, goals, and objectives for the Northwest Indian Treatment Center program and assumes responsibility for the…