Human Services Specialist II
Therapist - Jail Sober Living Unit / Medication Clinic 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 Human Services Specialist II - Therapist, Jail Sober Living Unit / Medication Clinic Coordinator position.
An Overview
The Human Services Specialist II, Therapist - Jail Sober Living Unit / Medication Clinic Coordinator is responsible for prioritizing and scheduling psychiatric services for incarcerated clients who are referred from therapists in the behavioral health team. This position works closely with the jail medical contractor and outside pharmacy providers to coordinate care and ensure that medication orders remain uninterrupted.
The position also involves providing direct care including risk assessment/crisis intervention; intake assessments; individual and group therapy; and case management services to incarcerated clients with a range of psychiatric and substance use disorders. The clinical work will mainly be focused within the Men’s Sober Living Unit upon the re-opening of the program but will initially be focused in other areas of the jail. The Sober Living Unit (SLU) is a 90-day substance use disorder treatment program housed within the jail which has been in operation for over 30 years. Specific responsibilities related to the SLU Program, 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.
What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate will have good knowledge of the theories and principles of psychology; good knowledge and understanding of substance use and available treatment and prevention methods; strong knowledge of group dynamics; good knowledge of commonly practiced approaches to counseling; good knowledge of psychopharmacology as it relates to the properties, actions, and health effects of illicit drugs, and commonly prescribed anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and anti-psychotic medications; good knowledge of available City medical, mental health, legal, social and supplemental services available through other community agencies and organizations; ability to work effectively with clients having alcohol/substance use, emotional, behavioral, or other related problems; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; ability to use a computer.
The Opportunity
- Facilitates the Psychotropic Medication clinic, including scheduling clients and ordering medications;
- Provides substance use disorder counseling (individual and group), education/prevention sessions;
- Conducts intake evaluation interviews under supervision of the clinical supervisor;
- Prepares and maintains consumer records in accordance with Medicaid and State licensure requirements;
- Refers inmates to appropriate services and agencies, and coordinates program services with involved medical/psychiatric personnel, classification and security staff, probation/parole officers, and/or other service providers;
- Develops and maintains individualized service plans and treatment goals with clients and assists with release planning;
- Prepares a variety of written reports;
- Consults with other professionals and collaterals regarding clients’ needs;
- Attends periodic staff meetings to discuss procedural and administrative developments as well as difficult or unusual cases;
- Attends applicable training sessions, conferences, and workshops provided by the department, other agencies, and organizations;
- Performs related 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 abuse disorders.
