ACORP - Emergency Services Senior Therapist

IMDiversity; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 98,865 - 125,565; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Job summary

ACORP Emergency Services Senior Therapist in Alexandria, VA, provides crisis intervention and psychiatric stabilization in the community, working with ACORP Police Officers. The Senior Therapist conducts crisis interviews, assessments, pre-admission screenings, and links clients with community services.

The role requires a Master’s degree in human services with at least two years of post-graduate clinical experience, Virginia licensure or eligibility, and readiness to work 24/7/365 including

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human services or related field.
• Two years post-graduate direct clinical services experience with psychiatric or substance use disorders.
• Licensed in Virginia or license-eligible as LPC, LCSW, LSATP, or Clinical Psychologist.

Responsibilities

• Conduct crisis assessments and provide crisis intervention in the community.
• Perform pre-admission screening for hospitalization and coordinate care with community services.
• Maintain clinical records compliant with relevant standards and collaborate with law enforcement.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Assessment

Communication

Education

Master's degree in human services

Virginia license eligible or licensed (LPC/LCSW/LSATP/Clinical Psychologist)

Job description

ACORP - Emergency Services Senior Therapist

Salary
$98,865.52 - $125,564.66 Annually

Location
Alexandria, VA

Job Type
Full-Time

Job Number
2026-00462

Department
Department of Community and Human Services

Division
CENTER FOR ADULT SERVICES

Bargaining Unit
N/A

Overview

ACORP - Emergency Services Senior Therapist

This position qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus. 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 ACORP Emergency Services Senior Therapist position.

Overview of Role

The ACORP Emergency Services Senior Therapist works in tandem with ACORP Police Officers to provide assessment, crisis intervention, and psychiatric stabilization to persons in the community experiencing a behavioral health crisis. ACORP (The Alexandria Co-Response Program) is a key initiative in the City of Alexandria aimed at working with persons in crisis in ways that promote community stabilization and safety and decrease the need for criminal justice responses and/or psychiatric hospitalization. The Senior Therapist conducts crisis intervention services and responds to behavioral health emergencies through telephone and face-to-face contact, including interviewing and evaluating persons in crisis, pre-admission screening for hospitalization, consulting with other care providers, and linking individuals with community services. Responds to police department calls for service in a police cruiser alongside other first responders.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of current best practices, including recovery concepts and integrated treatment of individuals who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder; knowledge of community resources and the ability to access these services; knowledge of the criminal justice system and the ability to assist clients with navigating the system; ability to accurately evaluate clients’ mental status; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement agents, clients and their families, employees, other service providers, community groups and the public; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

The Opportunity

• Conducts community-based crisis assessments and interventions, formulates diagnoses, and facilitates referrals to appropriate treatment and community supports
• Provides crisis stabilization in the community
• Provides consultation, coordination, and support to the Alexandria Police Department Behavioral Health Unit and other members of the criminal justice system
• Ensures that cases presenting with multiple, complex clinical issues have the appropriate risk assessments and case coordination with internal and external resources to ensure client and community safety
• Conducts pre-admission screening for voluntary/involuntary hospitalizations
• Consults with staff and community agencies regarding client referrals and clinical and administrative issues
• Maintains clinical records in accordance with Departmental, City, State, and Federal compliance requirements
• Participates in staff development and training
• Other duties as assigned

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 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 abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Master’s degree in human services; at least two years post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to clients having psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders; at least two years post-master's experience providing diagnostic evaluations, assessments, and crisis intervention. Licensed in Virginia as an LCSW, LPC, LSATP, or Clinical Psychologist OR is 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 license at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment. Senior Therapists in ES must complete all the requirements to obtain and maintain a certification as Pre-screeners as required by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services within six (6) months of appointment. ES clinicians must show comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment and Duty to Warn. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence.

Additional Requirements

• As essential personnel, ES 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

At least two years of post-master's experience providing diagnostic evaluations, assessments, and crisis intervention. Currently licensed as a LPC, LCSW, or Clinical Psychologist in Virginia at the time of appointment; bilingual English/Spanish, French, African, or Middle Eastern; At least two years of experience providing crisis intervention and/or working with clients in a criminal justice setting. At least two years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders. At least one year of experience working with law enforcement agencies.

Notes

This position will require ACORP Clinician to wear a police-issued ballistic vest and ride in a police cruiser to respond to active calls for service. This position requires 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; and education/certifications.

Schedule

Schedule: TBD

Equal Opportunity

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.