Senior Therapist - Forensic Discharge Planner, Jail Services Team

About the role

The City of Alexandria is seeking a Senior Therapist Forensic Discharge Planner for the Jail Services Team. Located in northern Virginia, Alexandria is bordered by the District of Columbia, Arlington, and Fairfax counties. The position offers a $3,000 sign-on bonus.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Provides clinical intake evaluations; crisis intervention, including pre-admission screenings for emergency hospitalization or other hospital diversion.
• Matches consumers to needed services; explores community resources; provides targeted case management services; evaluates consumer progress; provides clinical and supportive services within the jail, and maintains clear concise consumer records.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Currently possess a Clinical License.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Qualifications

• Strong ability to communicate clearly and effectively with consumers and staff both in person and on the telephone.
• Knowledge of behavior, symptoms, and modalities used in treatment of chronic substance use and mental health problems.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

• 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.
• Maintains regular contact with an interdisciplinary team to aid in identifying necessary services for consumers; 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.
• Consistently connects consumers from Jail Services to Outpatient Services.
• Performs case management responsibilities for inmates discharged to and from State Hospitals.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

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