Senior Therapist - Alexandria Co-Response Program

Position Overview:

The City of Alexandria is hiring two, newly created Senior Therapist positions to expand our highly successful ACORP program. The Alexandria Co-Response Program (ACORP) 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 ACORP Senior Therapists will work in tandem with specially trained Alexandria Police Officers to provide assessment, crisis intervention, and psychiatric stabilization to persons in the community experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The ACORP Senior Therapists are responsible for conducting crisis intervention services and responding to behavioral health emergencies through telephone and face-to-face contact? These responses may include interviewing and evaluating persons who are presenting in crisis, pre-admission screening for hospitalization, consulting with other care providers, and linking persons with other community services.

To learn a little more about the work of the ACORP team, please click here.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/alexandria-police-program-to-better-respond-to-mental-crisis-calls/65-d8cc6225-ddb9-40c7-974e-d12078f94159

and here

https://www.alexandriava.gov/dchs-connect/2021-10-01/the-city-launches-co-response-pilot-program-to-support-individuals-in

Examples of Duties:

• 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.

What we are looking for:

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; thorough knowledge of community resources, and 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 and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

ACORP Senior Therapists must complete all necessary requirements to obtain and maintain Pre-screeners Certification as required by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services within six (6) months of appointment. ACORP Senior Therapists must demonstrate c omprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment and Duty to Warn . As essential personnel, ACORP Senior Therapists are required to work varying shifts including holidays and/or during city closures or other emergencies.

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 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 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:
Schedule to be determined based upon program needs and may include evenings and rotating weekends.