Senior Therapist - ATC (Alexandria Treatment Court)

Position Overview:

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 persons with behavioral health challenges transform their lives and achieve recovery? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring for the position of Senior Therapist with our Alexandria Treatment Court (ATC) team. 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 trainings and career advancement opportunities.

Examples of Duties:

• Conducts screening and orientation to program for criminal justice referred individuals who have substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health diagnosis and accompanying behavioral, social, and criminal justice involvement.
• Conducts clinical intake using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, DLA-20 and ASAM level of care to determine diagnoses, understand psychosocial needs, and appropriate level of care.
• Works with clients to develop individualized treatment plan based on strengths, needs, abilities and client preferences.
• Collaborates with program participants to develop a client-centered, individualized treatment plan based on strengths, needs, goals, defined objectives, and treatment preferences.
• Provides and/or refers to individual, group and family therapy utilizing evidence-based treatment such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (CBT). Ability to implement evidence-based group level intervention such as Matrix, Moral Reconation Treatment (MRT) and Living in Balance (LIB).
• Provides care coordination with other ACSB units such as psychiatry, Comprehensive Recovery Team, Mental Health Outpatient, PACT or other related programs.
• Provide case management services for program participants to link to community resources identified by the clinician or client. These include but not limited to access to residential services, shelter, housing, healthcare, education, clothing, transportation, food, and state/federal benefits.
• Ability to conduct risk assessment to determine referral to Emergency Services.
• Coordinates treatment with referral sources (including Probation and Parole, ASAP, Court Services, Child Welfare, treatment court team and other) and other treatment providers (including opioid treatment, psychiatry, detox, or residential team members, or community health or housing professionals).
• Leads treatment team meetings, conveying concerns, challenges, strengths, and progress of subject client.
• Prepares written reports including assessment, treatment plan, progress notes, quarterly treatment updates, treatment status reports to the treatment court team, probation officers and collaborating providers.
• Conducts alcohol and drug screenings per program guidelines and as needed.
• Attends treatment team meetings, relevant training sessions and conferences.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What we are looking for:

The ideal candidate has thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior including thorough knowledge of treatment issues related to psychiatric problems, dual-diagnosis, and substance use; good knowledge of psychopharmacology, psychiatric disorders, substance use, juvenile delinquency, and/or elderly and aging; ability to work successfully with a variety of clients; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing with other professionals and with the public; ability to plan and supervise the work of interns or students.

Who we are:

As a member of the Division of Clinical and Emergency Services, you will work alongside professionals who are passionate about providing top-notch clinical services to adults with behavioral health disorders. We’re dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals, dedicated to supporting and valuing our staff. We are a community of lifelong learners who collaborate, challenge, and support each other to advance our clinical knowledge and skills, and help our clients achieve the best outcomes.

What we offer you:

In addition to an awesome group of people to work with, the City of Alexandria offers great benefits!

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

• Health Insurance
• Tuition Assistance and Professional Development
• 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 .

Minimum & Additional Requirements

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.

Preferred Qualifications

At least three years of post-master’s experience providing direct clinical services to address substance use disorder, and/or mental health disorder using individual and/or group modalities. At least one year of experience in evaluating, diagnosing, and recommending treatment using DSM-5 criteria for individuals with substance-use disorder, mental health disorder and/or co-occurring disorders. ASAM certification or eligible to be certified within the first 12-months of employment. At least one year of employment in a mental health community agency environment. Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish. Training/certification in evidence-base therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or other. Ability to follow and implement evidence-base group level intervention. At least one year of experience using Credible Electronic Health Record System.

Notes

These positions require 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:

Flexible Hybrid Schedule (On-site and Telehealth)

Hours vary depending on position; most positions afford opportunities for a hybrid work setting of on-site and telework.