OVERVIEW

Provides direct and indirect therapeutic care for individuals in a substance abuse treatment program. Work entails diagnosis, treatment planning and implementation of counseling, and crisis intervention of juveniles in a correctional setting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts intake interviews, obtains data and develops diagnosis and treatment plans.
Interviews individuals and provides problem‑solving and supportive therapy.
Conducts group, individual and family therapy sessions.
Prepares lesson plans and training materials for educational/treatment programming.
Prepares progress notes and other records on individual progress and contacts and prepares related reports and testifies in court.
Provides crisis intervention services.
Inputs psychological data to agency staff for individual placements, care and treatment.
Consults with detention staff and representatives of other agencies or programs and provides and coordinates individual case management services.
Provides expert testimony in court and legal proceedings.
Facilitates transfer to inpatient or residential care as needed.
Develops discharge and transition plans and refers individuals to treatment providers.
Does related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill and substance abusing population and related individual, group and family therapy and counseling techniques and practices. Thorough knowledge of individual management guidelines for Virginia. Good knowledge of office management practices.

Ability to establish and maintain rapport with the individual population. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and with private and public agency personnel. Ability to function calmly in stressful situations. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing. Ability to maintain individual records.

IMPACT:

The immediate health and safety and the long‑term rehabilitation of substance abusive individuals in the treatment program are directly dependent on the work of this position. Incumbent may be required to intervene in crisis situations in which the life of the individual or affected others is threatened. Incumbent is responsible for individual assessment and diagnosis and organizing an appropriate therapeutic plan.

LATITUDE:

Casework is performed independently with regular guidance provided by the Jail & Detention Supervisor, who also periodically reviews individual charts and reports. Detailed procedures and instructions guide the incumbent in completing written work.

DIFFICULTY:

Work involves the personal application of treatment principles, techniques and practices to individual individuals collectively experiencing a wide range of problems, including those who are hostile, uncooperative, suicidal or dangerous to themselves or others. Work may be performed under stressful conditions. Incumbent conducts individual, family and group counseling sessions, which involve unique individual management and facilitation applications.

Crisis intervention entails rapid and critical decision‑making and action. Identifying appropriate referral providers, preparing individual and arranging admission is complex. Incumbent is responsible for applying the broad operating principles and objectives of the agency to the specific program supervised. Work may involve frequent traveling in attending to individuals, attending legal proceedings or interfacing with other service providers.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Master's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences and some clinical work experience in the treatment of the mentally ill and emotionally disturbed populations.

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid VA driver's license. VA license eligible as LCSW, LPC, or LCP.

OTHER

Must possess all qualifications and skills required by federal and state regulations to bill Medicaid for the services provided. See Medicaid Billing Addendum.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXPOSURE

Work involves high exposure to environmental conditions regularly posing a threat to personal safety such as the requirements to: interact alone with hostile, aggressive and often violent individuals and/or individuals having contagious diseases; occasionally lifts moderate weight boxes of program supplies.

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships require advanced communication, social and interpersonal skills, tact and the use of specialized techniques to elicit information from and convey information to the individual population including hostile and abusive individuals and client families; represent the program and obtain the cooperation of detention facility management and staff, community-based service providers and psychiatric clinicians.

RACSB maintains a drug-free workplace environment. All candidates who receive conditional offers of employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check, including criminal history, driving record, and verification of credentials. Additionally, employees are subject to random drug testing throughout their employment. Our comprehensive screening program reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe, healthy workplace and providing high-quality services to our community.