Senior Therapist - Detention Center

Position Overview:

Are you searching for a position with purpose where you will share your expertise in psychotherapy? Are you currently in a position that does not challenge you? Are you passionate about learning and developing your clinical skills and working with professionals dedicated to supporting your ongoing professional development? If so, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is hiring for the position of Senior Therapist in our Jail Services Team. This individual is assigned to the Sober Living Unit (SLU) with specific responsibilities related to the operation of the SLU program. These duties include identifying and evaluating inmates in population who are prospective clients of the program; provision of group and individual treatment within the program; managing the Therapeutic Community milieu; and developing comprehensive discharge/release plans for clients leaving the program/facility. Located at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, this individual will join a team of seasoned clinicians dedicated to helping our clients adjust to incarceration and live healthy and meaningful lives when they return to their communities.

Examples of Duties:

• Provides crisis intervention and diagnostic evaluations
• Provides individual and group therapy
• Completes biopsychosocial clinical intake evaluations and other clinical assessments
• Performs risk assessment evaluations and provides recommendations for treatment, security precautions, and housing recommendations based on clinical impressions
• Provides targeted case management services for individuals in the detention center through coordinating services with associated external agencies
• Provides consultations to detention center staff and other agencies
• Maintains client records consistent with applicable state and departmental standards
• Performs pre-screening of inmates for detention to state psychiatric institutions
• Performs other duties as assigned

What we are looking for:

We all want to find that position and employer that gives us a sense of purpose, acceptance and inclusion. A work environment where our talents and experience are valued and supported. To be that employer, we need to ensure that our employees have the necessary skills and abilities to be successful. To be the ideal candidate for this position, it is important that you have thorough knowledge of and experience in the following subject areas:

• Individual and group behaviors
• Family dynamics
• Abnormal psychology
• Substance use disorders
• Clinical data collection
• The ability to complete clinical assessments and formulate diagnoses utilizing the DSM-5
• The ability to create reports based on clinical formulation

What you need to have (Minimum Qualifications):

All applicants must have a current Commonwealth of Virginia license as an LCSW, LPC, or LSATP, Clinical Psychologist, or is license eligible (anyone that has completed all required education and supervision as required by an applicable board). A license eligible applicant must obtain their Virginia license at the first available opportunity and no later than one year after appointment. The applicant will successfully complete a record/background check and have a good driving record. The individual must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to successfully complete a pre-employment background check, including but not limited to:

• FBI/Federal Records Check
• VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry
• Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database
• Education, professional license and driver’s license verifications

What makes you a preferred candidate?

In addition to what has already been listed, a preferred candidate is fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal) and can conduct therapy in both languages.

Who we are:

As a member of the Jail Services Team within the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), you will work alongside professionals dedicated to providing quality services to adult inmates with mental health, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. We believe in a professional environment that fosters lifelong learning and opportunities for your personal and professional growth. We are a community of dedicated clinicians 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!

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

• Health Insurance
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance (excluding sworn personnel)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Annual and Sick Leave/Sick Leave Bank
• Paid City Holidays
• Spring Health mental health program
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance and Professional Development
• Employee Transportation Benefits Program
• Virginia Retirement System

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 .

Schedule (On-site):

This is a full-time position (40-hours) Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM with one rotating weekend

Thank you for taking the time to consider applying for this great opportunity. We look forward to reviewing your application!

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Possession of Masters’ 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. Successfully pass a Sheriff’s Office background check, successfully complete a Federal criminal record check and VA child abuse registry check.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession Virginia clinical license as Psychologist, LPC, or LCSW. At least one year of experience working with confined populations and/or law enforcement agencies. Substance Use Disorder or other individual/group psychotherapy experience. Bi-lingual proficiency with ability to practice in Spanish and English.