Passage Way; Therapeutic Lifestyle) Instructor

About Us

At Northwest Passage, we focus on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our Passage Way Elements:
Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. These elements are central to our approach, combining traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Since 1978, we've been dedicated to providing high-quality care in a community dedicated in hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for our clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St.

Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire.
Northwest Passage proudly serves individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed and supported. Northwest Passage looks to build our team with candidates who are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to all of our clients, demonstrating resilience, determination, collaboration, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. At Northwest Passage, you will foster hope through your involvement in the healing process.

Guided by the Passage Way Elements, we strive to create a positive environment for growth and wellness for both our clients and staff.

The Passage Way Instructor is responsible for providing instruction on practicing components of a therapeutic lifestyle to youth as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. The position provides direct care, supervision, and support to youth in a residential treatment setting. This includes supervising and engaging in activities consistent with a therapeutic lifestyle, tracking and reporting on resident’s progress, and serving as a positive role model.

The schedule is Monday-Friday 7:30 am-3:30 pm.

• Work with residents across a broad range (K-12) to improve their overall physical and emotional health through the development of eight therapeutic lifestyle components consistent with the Passage Way:
  Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit
• Lead fitness programs that include traditional approaches to fitness, as well as yoga, canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities.
• Provide close supervision of youth across residential, outdoor, and community settings.
• Integrate routines and rhythms to provide a safe and structured environment.
• Ensure that youths’ basic needs are met including nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and rest.
• Cultivate connections with youth from diverse backgrounds and model effective relational, communication, and conflict-management skills.
• Build a curious, attuned stance to understand the emotions, needs, and experiences that drive youth behaviors.
• Effectively respond to youths’ behaviors by being proactive, identifying patterns, meeting needs, supporting regulation, and purposefully using behavior response strategies such as praise and reinforcement, problem-solving, and limit-setting.
• Utilize least restrictive measures necessary to maintain safety, emphasizing connection and co-regulation.
• Build on youths’ strengths and assist them in developing a positive sense of self.
• Maintain awareness of personal responses to youth behavior and use strategies to maintain self-regulation.
• Assist youth in understanding of their emotional experience and their ability to tolerate, express, and manage their emotions through co-regulation and skill-building.
• Develop an understanding of mental health concepts, psychotropic medications, and client symptomology.
• Advocate for appropriate goals, wants, and needs of residents.
• Transport youth to…