Emergency Services Senior Therapist

City of Alexandria, Virginia; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

The City of Alexandria, Virginia, invites qualified clinicians to apply for the Emergency Services Senior Therapist position within the Center for Adult Services. The Senior Therapist conducts crisis intervention, psychiatric stabilization, and pre-admission screening within Alexandria city limits, coordinating with other care providers and maintaining clear records.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in human services and a VA license (LCSW/LPC/LSATP/Clinical Psychologist) or be

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human services with direct clinical service experience.
• Virginia licensure or eligibility as LCSW/LPC/LSATP/Clinical Psychologist required or eligible.
• Two years post-graduate experience in psychiatric crisis services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct crisis interventions and psychiatric assessments.
• Provide liaison with community agencies and referrals.
• Maintain clinical records per regulations and standards.
• Work varied shifts including evenings, overnights, weekends.
• Provide emergency and crisis intervention services in the City of Alexandria.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Psychiatric assessment

Agency liaison

Record keeping

Education

Master’s degree in human services

Virginia license or license-eligibility (LCSW/LPC/LSATP/Clinical Psychologist)

Job description

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. About one-quarter of the City’s square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Emergency Services Senior Therapist position.

An Overview

This position qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus.

The Department of Community and Human Services provides effective and essential safety net services that measurably improve or maintain the quality of life for Alexandrians. The Senior Therapists/Emergency Services Clinician provides assessment, crisis intervention, and psychiatric stabilization to citizens of Alexandria, as well as to other persons who are within Alexandria city limits while experiencing a mental health crisis.

The Emergency Services program is part of the Center for Adult Services. The center is overseen by the Alexandria Community Services Board which provides compassionate and effective services that support self-determination, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria residents affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

As a member of the Emergency Services Team, you will be responsible for conducting crisis intervention and responding to psychiatric emergencies within the City through telephone and face-to-face contact. These responses may include interviewing and evaluating persons who are presenting in crisis, pre-admission screening; consulting with other care providers; evaluating for Civil Detention, voluntary hospitalization, or less restrictive alternatives. You will liaison with other community agencies and make appropriate referrals consistent with the evaluation. In addition, must maintain clear and concise patient records. Workers must be available to work varying shifts, including evenings, overnights and weekends.

What You Should Bring

Current Active Clinical License. Two or more years of experience working with individuals experiencing psychiatric crises. Prior experience working in community settings or with individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

The Opportunity

• Interviews consumers who walk in to Mental Health Center and individuals who require intervention in the community;
• Determines appropriate disposition based on thorough psychiatric evaluation. Complete written assessments and make appropriate referrals;
• Assesses need for immediate face-to-face interview or referral during telephone conversations;
• Provides liaison/outreach to other community agencies;
• Provides continuity of care for CSB consumers when the CSB is closed (i.e. referrals to emergency room for medication, emergency assessments, and support via the telephone);
• Conducts pre-admission screening for voluntary/involuntary hospitalizations;
• Provides crisis stabilization utilizing phone and face to face contact;
• Determines appropriate response to all calls from the citizens and staff from other agencies;
• Provides clinical assessment and referral services;
• Determines appropriate disposition;
• Formulates diagnoses, assesses risk and mental status;
• Provides clinical intervention in emergency situations at any of the MR/MR/SA homes;
• Coordinates and testifies as representative of CSB in Civil Commitment Hearings;
• Coordinates outpatient treatment for client's committed to Mandatory Outpatient Treatment;
• Provides crisis intervention and emergency services;
• Prepares reports for court proceedings, represents the Department, and testifies as an expert witness on behalf of consumers;
• Provides emergency and crisis intervention services to consumers;
• Participates in staff development and training;
• Maintains clinical records in accordance with State, City, Departmental and Federal compliance requirements;
• Performs related work as required.

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

Current, active clinical license to practice as an LCSW, LPC, Clinical Psychologist, LSATP in Virginia. Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish is 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.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; driver’s license; and education/certifications.

Schedule

Sunday 4:00PM – 12:00PM & Monday – Thursday 11:00AM – 7:00PM

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.

We are proud to welcome you to explore the City of Alexandria's excellent benefits and programs!

The benefits referenced on this site, may be changed from time to time without notice. Temporary and some part-time positions are not eligible for these benefits. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at [e-mail].