Emergency Services Senior Therapist – Court 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. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Emergency Services Senior Therapist position.
An Overview
This position qualifies for a $3,000 signing bonus. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides essential safety net services that measurably improve the quality of life for Alexandria residents. Operating under the Center for Adult Services and governed by the Alexandria Community Services Board, our team is dedicated to delivering compassionate care that promotes recovery, resiliency, and self-determination for individuals affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders.
The Emergency Services Senior Therapist (Court Coordinator) provides critical assessments, crisis interventions, and psychiatric stabilizations to anyone within Alexandria city limits experiencing a mental health crisis. In addition to delivering direct crisis care via telephone, telehealth, and in-person evaluations, this role serves as the Court Coordinator, facilitating civil commitment hearings and overseeing the Mandatory Outpatient Treatment (MOT) program.
What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate should have thorough knowledge of individual and group behavior including thorough knowledge of 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; ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing with other professionals and with the public; ability to plan and supervise the work of interns or students.
The Opportunity
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Assess and determine the appropriate level of response for incoming calls from citizens, community partners, and external agencies, identifying the need for immediate face-to-face evaluations versus telephone support or referral.
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Interview and evaluate individuals presenting in crisis via office walk-ins, phone calls, or direct community response; formulate diagnoses, perform mental status exams, conduct risk assessments, and deliver immediate crisis intervention and stabilization.
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Conduct preadmission screenings to determine appropriate level of care and disposition, including voluntary/involuntary hospitalizations, alternative placements, and community referrals.
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Provide continuity of care for CSB clients during non-business hours, including emergency assessments, phone support, and crisis triage.
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Coordinate, facilitate, and testify in civil commitment proceedings, utilizing virtual meeting technology and digital platforms to manage logistics and prepare required legal reports.
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Manage the Mandatory Outpatient Treatment (MOT) caseload, tracking client compliance, monitoring service delivery, and ensuring adherence to court orders.
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Collaborate and navigate complex dynamics with diverse stakeholders who often hold conflicting interests.
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Maintain precise, timely clinical records and documentation in full compliance with Federal, State, City, and Departmental standards.
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Participate in ongoing staff development and clinical supervision.
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Perform related work and operational tasks 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 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 use disorders.
Master’s degree in human services; at least two years post-graduate work experience in providing direct clinical services to clients having psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders; at least two years post-master's experience providing diagnostic evaluations, assessments, and crisis intervention. Licensed in Virginia as an LCSW, LPC, LSATP, or Clinical Psychologist OR is 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 license at the first available opportunity, but no later than one year after appointment. Senior Therapists in ES must complete all the requirements to obtain and maintain a certification as Pre-screeners as required by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services within six (6) months of appointment. ES clinicians must show comprehensive knowledge of the Code of Virginia pertaining to Emergency Custody Orders, Temporary Detention Orders, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Outpatient Treatment and Duty to Warn. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence.
Additional Requirements:
As essential personnel, ES Senior Therapists are required to maintain the operation of the program 24/7/365 including holidays and/or during city closures or other emergencies. The position requires shift work that includes overnights, weekends, and holidays.
Current, active clinical license to practice as an LCSW, LPC, Clinical Psychologist, LSATP in Virginia. Fluent and Bilingual in both English and Spanish is desirable but not required. At least two or more years of experience working with individuals experiencing psychiatric crises. At least one year of prior experience working in community settings or with individuals experiencing severe mental illness.
