Critical Care Unit Senior Therapist - Jail Services

This position qualifies for a signing bonus of $3,000.

About the role

Under minimum supervision from the Team Supervisor, the Critical Care Unit (CCU) Senior Therapist provides clinical intervention services to adult inmates who are experiencing psychiatric, behavioral, and/or substance abuse-related problems in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center. Duties include triage, psychosocial assessment, diagnostic evaluation, risk assessment, brief counseling, individual and group counseling, specialized case management, and facilitation of temporary detention orders for forensic hospitalization of inmates as needed.

The Senior Therapist evaluates and arranges diagnostic assessment and treatment for individuals with severe mental illness, who may be housed in the CCU, booking, or other areas in the jail. You will develop and maintain excellent rapport with other professional staff of the Detention Center and related community agencies, ensuring continuity of information flow and consumer care from shift to shift. The expectation is to conduct duties independently, requiring minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Provides crisis intervention and diagnostic evaluations
• Provides individual and group therapy
• Completes biopsychosocial clinical intake evaluations and other clinical assessments
• Performs risk assessment evaluations and provides recommendations for treatment, security precautions, and housing based on clinical impressions
• Provides targeted case management services for individuals in the Detention Center; coordinates services with associated agencies outside the jail
• Provides consultations to Detention Center staff and other agencies
• Maintains consumer records consistent with all applicable State and Departmental standards
• Performs pre-screening of inmates for detention to State Psychiatric Institutions
• Communicates thoroughly, relevantly, and in an organized fashion both orally and in writing
• Other duties as assigned by the Team Supervisor

Requirements

• 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 abuse, psychiatric, and emotional disorders
• 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, must obtain Virginia licensure at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment
• Valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence if in a position with driving responsibilities
• Successful completion of pre-employment background checks including FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; verification of education/certifications; and Driver’s license
• Must pass additional background investigation from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO), including a polygraph conducted by the ASO

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of clinical experience with jail/forensic population
• Possession of Virginia clinical license as Psychologist, LPC, or LCSW
• Fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of individual and group behaviors, family dynamics, abnormal psychology, and disorders related to substance use
• Thorough knowledge of psychiatric interviewing, gathering clinical data, assessments, and DSM-5 diagnosis
• Knowledge and experience with clinical risk assessment and writing reports based on clinical formulation
• Thorough knowledge and ability to provide case management services to homeless persons who have mental illness and/or substance use disorders
• Knowledge of the criminal justice systems and law enforcement systems, and interaction with services for mental health/substance use disorders
• Good skills working with persons having mental illness and with their families
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other professionals and the general public, both orally and in writing

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Tuition Assistance and Professional Development
• Employee Transportation Benefits Program
• Virginia Retirement System
• Paid Annual and Sick Leave/Sick Leave Bank
• Paid City Holidays
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Spring Health Mental Health Services
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Learn more about PSLF.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, with rotating Saturday half-day shifts.