Senior Therapist - Forensic Discharge Planner, Jail Services Team

Senior Therapist

Forensic Discharge Planner, Jail Services Team

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 Therapist position. 

An Overview 

This position qualifies for a $3,000 sign-on bonus. 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: Possession of Masters 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 abuse, 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.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.
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 and Verification of education/certifications; and Driver’s license.

This position is located within the Alexandria Detention Center and must pass additional background investigation from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO), to include a polygraph conducted by the ASO.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM – 4:30PM, with 1 rotating weekend.