Emergency Services Senior Therapist - Youth Specialist

IMDiversity Inc.; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Flexible scheduling

Continuing education opportunities

Job summary

The City of Alexandria seeks an Emergency Services Senior Therapist – Youth Specialist to provide crisis interventions and clinical evaluations for youth across multiple settings. This role requires an active Virginia clinical license and a track record of compassionate care within acute mental health services.

The position includes a $3,000 signing bonus, potential telework/flexible scheduling, and opportunities for continuing education funded by the City.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in human services; two+ years post-graduate direct clinical services in psychiatric/substance use disorders.
• Licensed in Virginia as an LCSW/LPC/LSATP/Clinical Psychologist or license-eligible; must obtain VA license within 1 year.
• Senior Therapists must obtain Pre-screeners certification within six months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments and crisis interventions for youth, coordinating with ACPS and DCHS Child and Family Behavioral Health.
• Provide crisis intervention across settings including schools and office or emergency department.
• Deliver crisis intervention training to ACPS personnel for trauma-informed support.
• Perform pre-admission screenings and determine dispositions (voluntary, civil detention, or less restrictive options).
• Provide crisis stabilization using phone and face-to-face contact; prepare documentation for court proceedings.
• Ensure continuity of care via telephone triage and referrals when CSB is closed; maintain timely EHR documentation.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Clinical evaluation

Team collaboration

Community liaison

Education

Master’s degree in human services

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Job description

Emergency Services Senior Therapist - Youth Specialist

Salary
$92,292.72 - $137,521.28 Annually

Location
Alexandria, VA

Job Type
Full-Time

Job Number
2027-00560

Department
Department of Community and Human Services

Division
CENTER FOR ADULT SERVICES

Bargaining Unit
N/A

Description

Emergency Services Senior Therapist – Youth Specialist

Do you enjoy a fast-paced work environment? Do you have experience working with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis? Are you committed to ensuring that crisis response services meet the needs of clients and families? Are you solution focused and comfortable working both independently and as part of an exciting multidisciplinary team? Do you want to work in a place where you are truly valued doing meaningful work everyday alongside a group of likeminded colleagues. Do you have an active Clinical License in Virginia and a passion for providing mental health services in acute settings? If so, then you might be the next Emergency Services Senior Therapist.

We offer a collaborative and welcoming work environment. Our team strives for a work/life balance and offers some opportunities for telework and flexible scheduling. We can provide opportunities for employer sponsored continuing education and other learning and development opportunities through the City.

The City of Alexandria offers more than a place to work; we are a dynamic, award-winning, multicultural City with an ambitious blueprint to lead us into the next century. In City government, our MISSION defines what we do for our community, our VISION is where we are headed as an organization, and our VALUES guide our actions and decisions.

The Opportunity

This position qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides essential safety net services that measurably improve the quality of life for Alexandria residents. Operating under the Center for Adult Services and governed by the Alexandria Community Services Board, our team is dedicated to delivering compassionate care that promotes recovery, resiliency, and self-determination for individuals affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.

As a Certified Preadmission Screening Clinician, the Emergency Services Youth Specialist works in close partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) and DCHS Child and Family Behavioral Health to deliver on- and off-site crisis interventions, staff training, and outreach and education. Embedded within the Emergency Services Team, this clinician responds directly to acute psychiatric emergencies across the City. Core responsibilities include conducting clinical evaluations and pre-admission screenings, assessing for voluntary hospitalization, civil detention, or less restrictive treatment options, and developing comprehensive safety plans alongside families and external care providers. This position can respond via mobile deployment to any school or other appropriate community location, as well as meet with clients and families at our Mark Center Drive offices or via telehealth.

Beyond acute crisis response, this clinician acts as a primary liaison to community agencies to coordinate vital service referrals and requires timely documentation within the Electronic Health Record system. Designated as an Essential Employee, the clinician primarily works Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM while school is in session, though the position requires flexibility for varying shifts, including evening hours, to meet community needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct clinical assessments and crisis interventions for youth, partnering directly with ACPS and the DCHS Child and Family Behavioral Health team.
• Provide crisis intervention across multiple settings including schools, the Mark Center Drive office, and the emergency room.
• Facilitate psychoeducation and crisis intervention training for ACPS personnel to enhance early identification and trauma-informed support.
• Conduct pre-admission screenings and evaluations to determine appropriate clinical dispositions, including voluntary admissions, involuntary civil detentions, or less restrictive community-based alternatives.
• Provide crisis stabilization utilizing phone and face to face contact.
• Prepare formal documentation and reports for court proceedings.
• Ensure continuity of care when CSB is closed by managing telephone triage, coordinating urgent evaluations, and facilitating referrals.
• Serve as a community liaison, establishing warm handoffs and referrals to external behavioral health and social service agencies.
• Maintain rigorous, timely clinical documentation in compliance with federal, state, city, and departmental standards.
• Perform related clinical and administrative 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

Current, active clinical license to practice as an LCSW, LPC, Clinical Psychologist, LSATP in Virginia. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is desirable. Experience working with children and adolescents or in school settings and/or prior experience in crisis services is valued.

Notes

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; Verification of education/certifications; and Driver's license.

Schedule

The schedule will be Monday-Friday 10 am - 6 pm or as collaboratively determined between the successful candidate and the program. Some telework hours may be available. Emergency Services operates 24/7/365. As an emergency/essential employee, you may be required to remain at work, or report to work during a time when the City (due to inclement weather, an emergency or other condition) is unable to be fully operational.

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.