Discharge Planning Senior Therapist

Discharge Planning Senior Therapist

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 Discharge Planning Senior Therapistposition.

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 Discharge Planning Senior Therapist works independently creating community-based discharge plans for Alexandria clients hospitalized in state psychiatric hospitals. Occasionally this will include clients in private hospitals and local jails. The clients served by this program have multiple complex psychological, psychosocial, and legal challenges which complicate successful discharge from inpatient care to community-based services. It is also the responsibility of the Discharge Planning Senior Therapist to manage 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 including thorough knowledge of treatment issues related to psychiatric problems, dual-diagnosis, and chemical dependency, good knowledge of psychopharmacology, psychiatric disorders, alcoholism/drug addiction.

The Opportunity

• Assesses, identify, and clinically address aftercare 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.
• Provides Discharge Planning and aftercare services in accordance with Virginia Discharge Planning Protocols, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services DBHDS Discharge Planning Protocols.
• Provides follow-up case management services after consumer is discharged, to ensure successful transition to community living and services.
• Manages the Discharge Planning Program (DAP) funds including identifying client need, identifying appropriate vendors, negotiating rates, initiating/maintaining contractual agreements, and reviewing/processing monthly invoices.
• Attends treatment team meetings in person and virtually at CSB and provider offices, hospitals, and jails.
• Provides emergency and crisis intervention services as needed. Maybe required to be certified as an Emergency Services Prescreened.
• May serve as the NGRI Coordinator for department.
• Conducts intakes and formulates assessments, evaluations, and differential diagnoses of clients.
• Makes referrals to other CSB programs and advocates for timely provision of services.
• Provides individual, group, case management, and or family therapy.
• May provide reports for court proceedings, represent the Department, and testify as a witness, as required.
• 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 use disorders.

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. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.

Bi-lingual English/Spanish. One year of experience providing Discharge Planning services to individuals with serious mental illness. One year of experience working in a community based mental health agency or psychiatric hospital and in linking consumers with community resources.

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 - Friday 8am-5pm, occasional weekend and evening based on client need. There is flexibility for some remote work after initial probation is complete.