Senior Therapist - Emergency Services

A $3,000 signing bonus is available for this position.

About the role

As a member of the Emergency Services Team, you will conduct crisis intervention and respond to psychiatric emergencies within the City through telephone, tele-video, and face-to-face contact. Responsibilities include interviewing and evaluating individuals in crisis, pre-admission screening, consulting with care providers, evaluating for Civil Detention, voluntary hospitalization, or less restrictive alternatives, and liaising with community agencies for appropriate referrals. You will maintain clear and concise patient records and must be available to support program coverage on alternate shifts occasionally.

Emergency Services clinicians must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment, and Duty to Warn.

Responsibilities

• Interview consumers who walk into the Mental Health Center and individuals requiring intervention in the community; determine appropriate disposition based on thorough psychiatric evaluation.
• Complete written assessments and make appropriate referrals.
• Assess the need for immediate face-to-face interviews or referrals during telephone conversations.
• Provide liaison/outreach to other community agencies.
• Ensure continuity of care for CSB consumers when the CSB is closed (e.g., referrals to emergency rooms for medication, emergency assessments, and telephone support).
• Conduct pre-admission screening for voluntary/involuntary hospitalizations.
• Provide crisis stabilization utilizing phone and face-to-face contact.
• Determine appropriate responses to calls from citizens and staff from other agencies.
• Provide clinical assessment and referral services; determine appropriate disposition.
• Formulate diagnoses, assess risk and mental status, and provide clinical intervention in emergency situations at MR/MR/SA homes.
• Coordinate and testify as a representative of CSB in Civil Commitment Hearings.
• Coordinate outpatient treatment for clients committed to Mandatory Outpatient Treatment.
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency services.
• Prepare reports for court proceedings, represent the Department, and testify as an expert witness on behalf of consumers.
• Participate in staff development and training.
• Maintain clinical records in accordance with State, City, Departmental, and Federal compliance requirements.

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 delivers compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices, supporting self-determination, safety, and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disorders.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in human services.
• At least two years of post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to clients with psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders.
• At least two years of post-master's experience providing diagnostic evaluations, assessments, and crisis intervention.
• Licensed in Virginia as an LCSW, LPC, LSATP, or Clinical Psychologist OR license-eligible (completed all required education and supervision as required by the 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 a Virginia license at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment.
• Senior Therapists in Emergency Services must complete all requirements to obtain and maintain certification as Pre-screeners as required by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services within six months of appointment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment, and Duty to Warn.
• Possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of residence.

As essential personnel, Emergency Services Senior Therapists are required to maintain the operation of the program 24/7/365, including holidays and/or during city closures or other emergencies. The position requires shift work that includes overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current, active clinical license to practice as an LCSW, LPC, Clinical Psychologist, or LSATP in Virginia.
• Fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish (desirable but not required).
• At least two or more years of experience working with individuals experiencing psychiatric crises.
• At least one year of prior experience working in community settings or with individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

Schedule

Monday through Thursday: 12pm - 8pm & Saturday: 12am - 8am