Service Associate
Community Support Counselor

 
 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 square miles in the city 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 Service Associate position.

An Overview
The Service Associate provides mental health skill building services to people living independently in the community with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders; completes clinical assessments, develops and writes service plans and co-ordinates with other members of an interdisciplinary treatment team.

What You Should Bring 
The ideal candidate should have good knowledge of the philosophy and provisions of State laws and the special treatment methods for adults with serious mental illness; good knowledge of social, economic, health, and behavioral problem; of the assigned service population; good knowledge of individual and group behavior; some knowledge of major psychotropic medications, their side effects and interactions with other medications; some knowledge of the constitutional rights of the seriously mentally ill population; ability to identify social problems and needs and to assess clients' and/or their family's ability to utilize available services; some knowledge of crisis intervention and implementation of safety plans; some knowledge of client-centered practice; ability to interpret laws, policies, and regulations; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, social agencies, and the general public; ability to guide clients in the constructive use of their own capabilities.

The Opportunity

• Screens and assesses people newly referred to the program;
• Identifies service needs and preferences through clinical assessments and discussions with clients;
• Incorporates goals and objectives into the treatment plan;
• Provides mental health skill building services supporting the goals and objectives set forth in the treatment plan;
• Links clients with community-based resources that promote wellness and recovery;
• Communicates with other members of the treatment team regarding clients' progress;
• Responds to urgent service requests through co-ordination with DHCS colleagues, private providers, clients' friends and family members;
• Manages a caseload averaging 15-20 clients, completes and updates all required clinical documentation in the electronic health record;
• Collaborates with representatives of community agencies including ARHA, local charities, property managers, etc. to advocate for clients;
• Works with the Senior Therapist to complete authorizations for service reimbursement;
• Attends trainings required by the Department and identifies trainings for professional development;
• Maintains QMHP-A certification with the Virginia Board of Counseling;
• Performs other related work 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.