Client Advocate

Summary or Purpose

Responsible for the day-to-day direct care oversight of clients. Plans and oversees the program activities ensuring a safe, therapeutic quality of care. Provides multi-cultural appropriate care.

This job description serves for Client Advocates who may work at the NSB Arctic Women in Crisis Residential Shelter, Children & Youth Services Residential Program, or the Integrated Behavioral Health Outpatient Program.

• Provides trauma informed care and evidenced-based counseling services to residential and non-residential clients within scope of authority; supervises behavior and activities of clients.
• Facilitates a calm, healing, and safe environment for clients, which include being trauma informed and developmentally appropriate.
• Implements and follows the designed program schedule and structure by providing informal education and motivational counseling; initiates and oversees activities for clients.
• Participates in agency functions which may consist of community outreach, education, and presentations.
• Completes admission and discharge screening protocol, documents client interactions as outlined by program policies and procedures, and reports any significant issues immediately to the supervisor.
• Monitors clients, de-escalates client behavior, follows established safety protocols, initiates intervention services as needed, and calls for assistance as required.
• Attends scheduled meetings as requested by supervisor to ensure programmatic and client needs are met; transports clients to appointments as needed.
• Evaluates client care continually and recommends changes to meet the individualized client needs.
• Confers and consults with supervisors as needed; collaborates with other professionals to provide and advocate for continued care outside the limitations of the program.
• Updates and maintains a variety of program records; documents all services and activities within appropriate time frames outlined in program policy.
• Prepares meals as outlined by the menu schedule and adheres to the food regulation guidelines.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly program in accordance with licensing and OSHA regulations; performs housekeeping functions as directed, including meal preparation, cleaning and laundry.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries, professional attitude, and appropriate behavior at all times with staff and clients.
• Respects and acknowledges client rights and maintains strict confidentiality in all client matters pertaining to 42 CFR & HIPAA Compliance and associated guidelines and regulations.
• In the event of an emergency, will follow responsibilities as outlined in the North Slope Borough program policies and procedures and the Emergency Action Plan Manual.
• Protect self, co-workers and consumers by following policies and procedures to prevent the spread of blood borne and/or airborne diseases.
• May be required to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evening, holidays and weekends and may be subject to 24 hour on-call status.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of Department and Borough policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of local community resources.
• Skill in providing effective client care services.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writting with staff and clients.
• Demonstrated work experience using PC and common software applications.

• High School graduate or G.E.D/or, a combination of 12 years of education and work related experience.
• CYS Program
  ** grant requirements indicate: a preference for childcare staff to have no less than 50% of staff in a Residential Care facility will possess a Bachelor's Degree; or may be substituted with combination of four years of formal education and experience working with children.
• Ability to obtain CPR and Basic First Aid Certification within 30 days;
• Must be 21 years of age or older;
• Applicant must pass a criminal history background check conducted by the State of Alaska Background Check Unit;
• One-year separation from receiving services for substance use or domestic violence perpetration;
• Documentation that the individual is…