Critical Care Unit Senior Therapist - Jail Services

City of Alexandria•Alexandria, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position qualifies for a signing bonus of $3,000. Are you searching for a position with purpose; a position that allows you to share your expertise in psychotherapy; a position that challenges you? Are you passionate about helping people with behavioral health challenges transform their lives and achieve recovery? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring for a Critical Care Unit (CCU) Senior Therapist position in our Adult Jail Services department. We are a department dedicated to not only serving our clients and families but also dedicated to supporting and valuing our staff. We provide extensive development and learning initiatives, a competitive wage and benefits package, and the facilitation of advanced clinical training and career advancement opportunities. Under minimum supervision from the Team Supervisor, the 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 for diagnostic assessment and treatment for individuals with severe mental illness, who may be housed in the CCU, in booking, or other areas in the jail. Possesses excellent knowledge of diagnostic assessment and treatment of incarcerated individuals with mental illness/substance use disorders. Develops and maintains excellent rapport with other professional staff of the Detention Center and related community agencies. 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 CCU Senior Therapist to conduct the duties of the position independently, requiring minimal supervision.

Requirements

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
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities
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
Thorough knowledge of DSM-5
An ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other professionals and with the general public, both orally and in writing
Successful completion of pre-employment background checks including FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database and Verification of education/certifications; and Driver’s license
Must pass additional background investigation from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO), to include a polygraph conducted by the ASO

Nice To Haves

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

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 recommendations based on the 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 with other agencies
Maintains consumer records consistent with all applicable State and Departmental standards
Performs pre-screening of inmates for detention to State Psychiatric Institutions
Other duties as assigned by the Team Supervisor
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
Evaluates and arranges for diagnostic assessment and treatment for individuals with severe mental illness, who may be housed in the CCU, in booking, or other areas in the jail
Develops and maintains excellent rapport with other professional staff of the Detention Center and related community agencies
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