Senior Therapist, Youth Substance Use

AlexandriaVAGov; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria seeks a Senior Therapist focusing on youth substance use. This role is vital for engaging youth in therapeutic practices and requires strategic collaboration with families and community partners. Offering a supportive working environment with significant career advancement opportunities, the role also includes a $3,000 signing bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Tuition Assistance and Professional Development

Multilingual Pay Program

Employee Transportation Benefits Program

Virginia Retirement System

Paid Annual and Sick Leave

Dental and Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Spring Health Mental Health Services

Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) or Clinical Psychologist in Virginia required.
• Minimum two years post-graduate clinical experience required.
• Experience providing treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders is essential.

Responsibilities

• Engage youth and families in evidence-based individual, family, and group therapy.
• Develop and monitor treatment plans with youth based on their strengths and goals.
• Collaborate with community partners and provide consultation.

Skills

Diagnosis

Assessment

Evidence-based treatment

Family therapy

Motivational Interviewing

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, or related field

Job description

Senior Therapist

Youth Substance Use

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.

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 clinical expertise; a position that challenges you? Are you passionate about partnering with children and youth with significant mental health and substance use challenges and their families, natural supports, and system partners to ensure children live and thrive in their homes and communities? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring a Senior Therapist with a focus on Youth Substance Use. We are a team dedicated not only to children, youth, and families, but also dedicated to supporting and valuing team members. We provide extensive development and learning initiatives, a competitive wage and benefits package, a focus on equity, and the facilitation of advanced clinical training and career advancement opportunities.

The Opportunity:

• Engage youth with substance use and mental health challenges and their families in evidence based, youth led, and family driven individual, family and group therapy, early intervention, case management, crisis intervention and clinical assessment and screening;
• Develop and monitor treatment plans with youth and their families based on their strengths, needs, preferences, and goals;
• Support linkage to young adult and adult behavioral health services;
• Provide consultation and ensure close collaboration and coordination with school and other system partners, i.e., child welfare, juvenile court system, child advocacy center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Guardians Ad Litem, police, etc.;
• Participate in multi-disciplinary workgroups, treatment planning meetings, court hearings, and relevant training, conferences and workshops;
• Provide presentations on behavioral health topics;
• Supervise graduate level interns or externs;
• Collect outcome, research and satisfaction data with persons served;
• Prepare a variety of written reports including progress notes, treatment plans, quarterly updates, clinical/mental health evaluations, status reports and reports to referral agencies;
• Maintain medical records in accordance with accreditation body, Department policies, licensing and Medicaid regulations;
• Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to productivity expectations, client payment issues, training and clinical licensure; and
• Perform all other relevant duties as assigned.

What we are looking for:

The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of diagnosis, assessment and evidence-based treatment for adolescents who experience substance use, trauma and mental health; skills in conducting behavioral health assessments, treatment plans, family, individual and group therapy; ability to prioritize youth and family voice and collaborate with community partners; ability to document in an electronic health record; ability to communicate both orally and in writing, in a clear concise manner, with other professionals and with the public.

What we offer you:
In addition to an awesome group of people to work with, the City of Alexandria offers great benefits!

As a full-time employee of the City of Alexandria, the following are available to you:

• Health Insurance
• Tuition Assistance and Professional Development
• Multilingual Pay Program
• Employee Transportation Benefits Program
• Virginia Retirement System
• Paid Annual and Sick Leave/Sick Leave Bank
• Paid City Holidays
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Spring Health Mental Health Services
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is also a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Use the following link to access the PSLF website and learn about this program in detail: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service .

Possession 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.

At least two years of post-master’s experience engaging adolescents and/or young adults with substance use disorders and their families in trauma-informed evidence-based behavioral health treatment services; At least one year experience providing behavioral health services in a school setting; At least two years of experience providing family therapy; Certification or training in Motivational Interviewing with youth and families; At least one year of experience with electronic medical records.

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; education/certifications; and driver’s license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, some evening hours required.