City of Alexandria, Virginia
Discharge Planning Senior Therapist
City of Alexandria, Virginia, Alexandria, Virginia, us, 22350
Discharge Planning Senior Therapist
City of Alexandria, Virginia – This position qualifies for a signing bonus of $3,000. 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.
An Overview In partnership with the Assistant Director of Community Support Services, the Discharge Planning Senior Therapist is responsible for administrative oversight and management of the CSB’s State Hospital discharge planning program. The therapist works independently creating community-based discharge plans for Alexandria clients hospitalized in state psychiatric hospitals, occasionally in private hospitals and local jails. Clients served by this program have multiple complex psychological, psychosocial, and legal challenges which complicate successful discharge from inpatient care to community-based services. The therapist also manages the administrative functions of the Discharge Assistant Program (DAP).
What You Should Bring The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, treatment issues related to psychiatric problems, dual-diagnosis, and chemical dependency; good knowledge of psychopharmacology, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism/drug addiction, juvenile delinquency, and/or elderly and aging; ability to work successfully with a variety of consumers; and ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing with other professionals and with the public.
The Opportunity
Assess, identify, and clinically address after‑care needs of CSB consumers hospitalized in state mental health facilities, and occasionally private facilities and jails;
Maintain knowledge of and foster professional relationships with routinely utilized community-based service providers in order to facilitate efficient and effective linkage of clients;
Provide discharge planning and after‑care services in accordance with Virginia Discharge Planning Protocols and DBHDS Discharge Planning Protocols;
Provide follow‑up case management services after a consumer is discharged to ensure successful transition to community living and services;
Manage the Discharge Planning Program (DAP) funds, identifying client need, appropriate vendors, negotiating rates, initiating/maintaining contractual agreements, and reviewing/processing monthly invoices;
Attend treatment team meetings in person and virtually at CSB and provider offices, hospitals, and jails;
Provide emergency and crisis intervention services as needed, and may be required to be certified as an Emergency Services Pre‑screener;
May serve as the NGRI Coordinator for the department;
Write monthly reports and other reports as assigned;
Conduct intakes and formulate assessments, evaluations, and differential diagnoses of clients;
Makes referrals to other CSB programs and advocates for timely provision of services;
Provide individual, group, case management, and/or family therapy;
May supervise a graduate intern;
Explore other available community resources as needed;
May provide reports for court proceedings, represent the Department, and testify as a witness, as required;
Perform related work as required.
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 persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate, person‑centered services based on best practices.
Minimum & Additional Requirements Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education, or a 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 eligibility (has completed all required education and supervision as required by the 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
Fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish;
At least one year of experience providing discharge planning services to individuals with serious mental illness;
At least one year of experience working in a community‑based mental health agency or psychiatric hospital and linking consumers with community resources.
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, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, occasional weekend and evening based on client need. There is flexibility for some remote work after the initial probation is complete.
Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.
We invite you to explore the City of Alexandria’s benefits and programs. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at DHR.TA@alexandriava.gov.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
An Overview In partnership with the Assistant Director of Community Support Services, the Discharge Planning Senior Therapist is responsible for administrative oversight and management of the CSB’s State Hospital discharge planning program. The therapist works independently creating community-based discharge plans for Alexandria clients hospitalized in state psychiatric hospitals, occasionally in private hospitals and local jails. Clients served by this program have multiple complex psychological, psychosocial, and legal challenges which complicate successful discharge from inpatient care to community-based services. The therapist also manages the administrative functions of the Discharge Assistant Program (DAP).
What You Should Bring The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior, treatment issues related to psychiatric problems, dual-diagnosis, and chemical dependency; good knowledge of psychopharmacology, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism/drug addiction, juvenile delinquency, and/or elderly and aging; ability to work successfully with a variety of consumers; and ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing with other professionals and with the public.
The Opportunity
Assess, identify, and clinically address after‑care needs of CSB consumers hospitalized in state mental health facilities, and occasionally private facilities and jails;
Maintain knowledge of and foster professional relationships with routinely utilized community-based service providers in order to facilitate efficient and effective linkage of clients;
Provide discharge planning and after‑care services in accordance with Virginia Discharge Planning Protocols and DBHDS Discharge Planning Protocols;
Provide follow‑up case management services after a consumer is discharged to ensure successful transition to community living and services;
Manage the Discharge Planning Program (DAP) funds, identifying client need, appropriate vendors, negotiating rates, initiating/maintaining contractual agreements, and reviewing/processing monthly invoices;
Attend treatment team meetings in person and virtually at CSB and provider offices, hospitals, and jails;
Provide emergency and crisis intervention services as needed, and may be required to be certified as an Emergency Services Pre‑screener;
May serve as the NGRI Coordinator for the department;
Write monthly reports and other reports as assigned;
Conduct intakes and formulate assessments, evaluations, and differential diagnoses of clients;
Makes referrals to other CSB programs and advocates for timely provision of services;
Provide individual, group, case management, and/or family therapy;
May supervise a graduate intern;
Explore other available community resources as needed;
May provide reports for court proceedings, represent the Department, and testify as a witness, as required;
Perform related work as required.
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 persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate, person‑centered services based on best practices.
Minimum & Additional Requirements Possession of a Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Education, or a 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 eligibility (has completed all required education and supervision as required by the 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
Fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish;
At least one year of experience providing discharge planning services to individuals with serious mental illness;
At least one year of experience working in a community‑based mental health agency or psychiatric hospital and linking consumers with community resources.
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, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, occasional weekend and evening based on client need. There is flexibility for some remote work after the initial probation is complete.
Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.
We invite you to explore the City of Alexandria’s benefits and programs. For further information, please contact the Talent Acquisition Team of Human Resources at DHR.TA@alexandriava.gov.
#J-18808-Ljbffr