Discharge Planning Senior Therapist

Discharge Planning Senior Therapist

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.

If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Discharge Planning Senior Therapist position.

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).

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.

• Assesses, 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;
• Provides discharge planning and after care 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 Pre-screener;
• May serve as the NGRI Coordinator for department;
• Writes monthly reports and other reports, as assigned;
• 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 supervise graduate intern;
• As needed explores other available community resources;
• May provide reports for court proceedings ;represent the Department, and testify as a witness, as required;
• Performs related work as required.

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…