Senior Therapist

An Overview

The Senior Therapist in the Substance Abuse Outpatient Treatment Program provides direct clinical services to individuals with substance use and/or co-occurring mental health disorder and is the primary clinician responsible for coordination and provision of all clinical services on behalf of the client. The senior therapist possesses strong clinical skills and works independently to provide individual, group, and family level interventions. In addition, demonstrates knowledge in assessment and crisis intervention techniques.

About Our Program

The Substance Abuse Outpatient Program (SAOP) has been the primary substance use disorder and co-occurring treatment provider in the City of Alexandria for over 30 years to individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders. SAOP provides evidenced-based, client-centered, trauma informed and recovery focused treatment that meets the multiple needs of residents of the City of Alexandria and their families. SAOP services are provided by a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team of helping professionals and stakeholders.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate has proven experience providing direct care in the area of substance use disorder including knowledge of the impact of drug and alcohol use on the brain, how to build early recovery and relapse prevention strategies. The ideal candidate has knowledge of and experience utilizing varied types of evidenced-based treatment curriculum. In addition, has treated individuals with Opioid Use Disorder receiving medication assisted treatment (MAT) such as methadone and suboxone.

Example of Duties

• Conducts screening and orientation to program for criminal justice involved and referred individuals who have substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health diagnoses.
  
• 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, 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.
  

The Ideal Candidate

• The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of substance use disorders including Opioid Use Disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders, evidenced-based treatments, individual and group therapy, care coordination, case management, crisis intervention and psychopharmacology.
  
• Possess effective assessment and diagnostic skills including use of the DSM 5 and the ASAM Criteria to accurately diagnose and determine treatment levels of care.
  
• Will have the demonstrated ability to work in a team and to collaborate with stakeholders.
  
• Will be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  
• Professionally licensed or licensed eligible in Virginia within the first 12-month of employment.
  

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.
  
• 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

• Three years post masters experience providing direct clinical services to address substance use disorder, and/or mental health disorder using individual and/or group modalities.
  
• 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.
  
• Minimum of 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.
  
• Experience using Credible Electronic Health Record System.
  

Notes

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: The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 7:00AM - 9:00PM. Work schedule will be determined upon program needs.