Senior Therapist
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Coordinator

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 Senior Therapist position.

An Overview
The Senior Therapist provides clinical services (group, individual and family counseling, case management, assessment and diagnostic services to HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) and non-HIDTA consumers with substance abuse and accompanying co-occurring emotional, behavioral, psychiatric or other related problems at the Alexandria Detention Center. He/she will provide release planning services, including community referral for Medication Assisted Treatment services, for those with Opioid Use Disorder. The candidate will coordinate care and program activities with Probation and Parole and HIDTA staff. Services are targeted at addressing Substance Use Disorders/Dual diagnosis, and their interaction with criminal behavior and recidivism.

What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate should have Knowledge of and experience assessing and diagnosing substance use and mental health problems; Knowledge of and experience providing individual and/or group therapy for persons with substance abuse and/or mental health problems; Knowledge of family dynamics in relation to substance abuse and mental health concerns and/or experience providing family therapy; knowledge of and experience with available treatment approaches and options for substance abuse, mental health and/or co-occurring disorders; Knowledge of the physical and psychiatric effects of medication and illicit drugs; Knowledge of the physical and psychosocial benefits of opiate replacement medications; Ability to effectively provide care coordination or case management.

The Opportunity

• Conducts assessments to identify Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder treatment needs and assessment of risk factors for clients in the Jail;
• Conducts and documents CSB intake assessments, and uses standardized instruments to determine level of care need, stage of change and diagnosis;
• Works with consumer to develop individualized treatment plans based on consumers' strengths, needs, abilities and preferences;
• Provides group and individual therapy to HIDTA-eligible non-HIDTA consumers, applying motivational, cognitive-behavioral and other evidence-based approach;
• Assessment and identification of clients with Opioid use disorders, and provision of referral to community based treatment, including MAT programs;
• Provides care coordination or case management services for consumers who present multi-service needs and co-occurring mental health and substance disorders who are preparing for release from Jail. May provide limited services in the community during transition to community providers;
• Provides crisis intervention/emergency services as needed;
• Coordinates treatment with Alexandria Probation and Parole officers;
• Prepares a variety of written reports including assessment, treatment plan, progress notes, quarterly treatment updates, and reports to referring Probation Officers and HIDTA;
• Attends staff meetings, relevant training sessions and conferences;
• Collects data relevant to program assessment indicators, and completes reports based on data;
• Performs other 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

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. Must possess a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish; Possession of Virginia clinical license in Social Work, Psychology, or Professional Counseling; Three years post masters experience providing direct clinical services for substance abuse, and/or mental health issues with SMI, Substance abuse, and Forensic populations; At least one year experience conducting risk assessment evaluations, and crisis intervention; At least one year of employment in a Jail or Prison providing clinical services.

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

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM, with a possible rotating Saturday.