Senior Therapist - Forensic Discharge Planner, Jail Services Team

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Company: City of Alexandria, VA

Location: Alexandria, VA 22304

Description:

Salary: $72,597.46 - $97,246.50 Annually
Location : Alexandria, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2025-00348
Department: Department of Community and Human Services
Division: CENTER FOR ADULT SERVICES
Opening Date: 04/16/2025
Closing Date: 4/30/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A

Senior Therapist

Forensic Discharge Planner, Jail Services Team
This position qualifies for a $3,000 sign-on bonus
The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Senior Therapistposition.
An Overview

The Jail Services Team Senior Therapist / Forensic Discharge Planner works closely with the consumer, Jail Services Team, and other CSB staff to link consumers to treatment and resources in the community and develop client centered plans to prevent recidivism. The Senior Therapist / Forensic Discharge Planner is responsible for providing clinical intake evaluations; crisis intervention, including pre-admission screenings for emergency hospitalization or other hospital diversion; matching consumers to needed services; exploring community resources; providing targeted case management services; evaluating consumer progress; providing clinical and supportive services within the jail, and maintaining clear concise consumer records.
What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have A strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively with consumers and staff both in person and on the telephone. Must have knowledge of behavior, symptoms, and modalities used in treatment of chronic substance use and mental health problems. Must possess very good organizational skills and the ability to analyze information elicited from consumers, and develop a comprehensive clinical formulation based on information gathered in clinical interviews. Must have the ability to effectively prepare records and report and maintain files. Use of a computer, including electronic medical record, and other medical and criminal information databases.
The Opportunity
  • Develops individual treatment plans and provides case management for consumers addressing needs such as housing, family relationships, social activities, health care, financial management, education, training and employment;
  • Provides clinical and supportive services to consumers such as clinical intake and assessment, crisis intervention, counseling, and case management;
  • Provides clinical and supportive services within the jail population, including individual and group counseling, and crisis intervention;
  • Acts as liaison between substance use disorder/ mental health services, social services, housing and shelters;
  • Provides advocacy for consumers with the court system, social services, employment, and in the securing of housing;
  • Meets regularly with an interdisciplinary team to aid in identifying necessary services for consumers; and acts as member of Forensic Services team, and Re-entry Council;
  • Provides Comprehensive Recovery Coach -type responsibilities (case management) for inmates released from the ADC, until they are connected with sustainable resources;
  • Operates a computer to obtain and record consumer information and appointments;
  • Provides consistent contact with consumers to connect them from Jail Services to Outpatient Services;
  • Performs case management responsibilities for inmates discharged to and from State Hospitals;
  • Performs related duties as required.

About the Department
The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.
Minimum & Additional Requirements
Possession of Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field; at least two years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance use, psychiatric, and emotional disorders; and licensure or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications
At least two years of experience in a substance use disorder, mental health or forensic setting which involved the provision of client clinical services and case management duties; At least three years of experience in clinical forensic position working in a jail or prison; Certification as Virginia Pre-Admission screener; At least one or more years of case management experience linking consumers to community/agency resources; Possession of Clinical License; Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Notes
This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver's license.
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM, with 1 rotating weekend.
We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!
The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Also, temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Benefits Division of the Department of Human Resources at 703.746.3785 or email
01

In Virginia or any other location, have you ever been or are the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect? If yes, list all cases and explain. If no, indicate "N/A."
02

All positions in DCHS require successful completion of pre-employment background checks in the Virginia State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry and national Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database. Some positions require criminal records check, and scrutiny of any found criminal records against the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services list of Barrier Crimes. Some positions require drug testing, and verification of driver's license and education/certifications.
  • I Understand.

03

To answer yes to this question, you must answer yes to all the following questions: Do you possess a Master's degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education or related field? Do you have at least two (2) years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to consumers having one or more substance abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders? Are you licensed or license eligible (has completed all required education and supervision as required by applicable board) as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of appointment; if license eligible, the employee must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities? Do you have a valid driver's license?If you answer no to any part of this question you must answer no.
  • Yes
  • No

04

If you answered "No" to question 3, do you have any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position? (If you answered, "Yes' to question 3, please answer "Yes" to this question).
  • Yes
  • No

05

Do you have at least two (2) years of experience in a substance use disorder, mental health or forensic setting which involved the provision of client clinical services and case management duties?
  • Yes
  • No

06

Do you have at least three (3) years of experience in clinical forensic position working in a jail or prison?
  • Yes
  • No

07

Are you certified as a Virginia Pre-Admission screener?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Do you have at least one (1) or more years of case management experience linking consumers to community/agency resources?
  • Yes
  • No

09

Do you currently possess a Clinical License?
  • Yes
  • No

10

Are you Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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