City of Alexandria, Virginia hiring Senior Therapist - Detention Center (Men's Sober Living Unit) in Alexandria, VA | LinkedIn (2024)

Senior Therapist Detention Center (Men’s Sober Living Unit) 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 OverviewUnder minimal direct supervision from the Team Supervisor, provides clinical intervention services to adult inmates who are experiencing psychiatric, behavioral and/or substance use 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 assigned to the Sober Living Unit (SLU) will have specific responsibilities related to the operation of the SLU program, including identifying and evaluating inmates in population who are prospective clients of the program, provision of group and individual treatment within the program, managing the Therapeutic Community milieu, and developing comprehensive discharge/release plans for clients leaving the program/facility. This position ensures continuity of information flow and consumer care from shift to shift. Communicates thoroughly, relevantly, and in an organized fashion both orally and in writing. The expectation is for the Senior Therapist to conduct the duties of the position independently, requiring minimal supervision.

What You Should BringThorough knowledge of individual and group behaviors, family dynamics, abnormal psychology, and disorders related to substance use. Thorough knowledge of psychiatric interviewing, gathering clinical data, completing 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 clients, including homeless persons with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Knowledge of the criminal justice system, law enforcement systems, and interaction with service providers specialized in mental health and substance use disorders. Good skills with building rapport between clients with mental illness and their family members.

The Opportunity

• 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 recommendations based on the clinical impressions.
• Provides targeted case management services for individuals in the Detention Center.
• Provides consultations to Detention Center staff and with other agencies.
• Maintains consumer records consistent with all applicable State and Departmental standards.
• Coordinates services with associated agencies outside the jail.
• Day-to-day management of a therapeutic community-based substance use treatment program for incarcerated individuals.
• Performs pre-screening of inmates for detention to State Psychiatric Institutions.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Team Supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About The DepartmentThe 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 RequirementsPossession 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 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.

Preferred QualificationsAt least one year of experience working with confined populations and/or law enforcement agencies. At least one year of experience with Substance Use Disorders or other individual/group psychotherapy. Possession Virginia clinical license as Psychologist, LPC, or LCSW. Bi-lingual proficiency with ability to practice in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

NotesThese positions require 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, Verification of education/certifications, and Driver's License.

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, with one rotating weekend.