Human Services Specialist I - Same Day Access

Human Services Specialist I - Same Day Access

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. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist Iposition.

An Overview

The Human Services Specialist Iis the behavioral health first point of contact for adults, youth and families seeking services for mental health, substance use and developmental and intellectual disabilities. The Same Day Access (SDA) Engagement Coordinator manages and coordinates cases for new and returning adults, youth/families for the Same Day Assessment & Evaluation team according to protocols for Same Day Access, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (VADBHDS), and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) - required standards for intake services.

Responsibilities involve assessing an adult, youth and/or family’s service-related needs, resources and preferences by efficiently and thoroughly interviewing the client to gather and evaluate vital information relating to each case, effectively navigating the Electronic Health Record to utilize past information for the current treatment episode and maintaining concise and clear documentation throughout the Assessment and Evaluation process. The SDA Engagement Coordinator provides coordination services, such as matching clients to needed services and exploring community resources before the clinical intake and before assignment to an ongoing care provider. The SDA Engagement Coordinator provides related support and monitoring services until clients are assigned to ongoing treatment providers within the CSB.

The SDA Engagement Coordinator must apply knowledge and understanding of program criteria for services provided through the ACSB and in Alexandria City and surrounding communities to ensure adequate referrals for services. The SDA Engagement Coordinator could, in certain circumstances, perform some work in clients’ residences and other community locations. The Engagement Coordinator is supervised by the Therapist Supervisor and/or Same Day Access Team Leader in individual and team meetings.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have good knowledge of social, economic, health, and behavioral problems; of DBHDS requirements for Same Day Access of the assigned service population of people seeking mental health, substance abuse and intellectual disability services; Some knowledge of the role of police, courts, and the criminal justice system, commitment procedures, and the constitutional rights of the disabled; Ability to identify social problems and needs, and to assess adults, youth and/or their family's ability to use available services; Ability to apply casework philosophy; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, social agencies, and the general public; Ability to provide guidance and assistance to interns and volunteers; Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; Ability to prepare and maintain complete and accurate records.

The Opportunity

• Interviews clients to obtain pertinent identifying information about them and the types of problems they present at Intake;
• Screens for suicidal ideations utilizing a standardized screening tool (Columbia- Suicide Severity Rating Scale, C-SSRS);
• Evaluates and monitors the potential client’s emotional state and determines whether the case is a situational crisis (ex. homelessness, financial need, domestic violence, pregnancy, child abuse and neglect), an emotional disorder requiring psychiatric treatment and assistance to obtain treatment, or a psychiatric emergency (risk of harm to self and/ or other without psychiatric intervention), requiring immediate attention and, if so, makes every effort to coordinate and expedite the referral to Emergency Services;
• Receives phone calls and attempts to collect full information from the caller concerning the presenting problem;
• Provides a welcoming and engaging approach to all potential clients who contact the SDA Intake Line;
• Assists callers and walk-in clients in identifying needs and barriers to self-sufficiency;
• Provides accurate and useful information to clients and citizens seeking information regarding human service and other City and State programs;
• Links these clients to needed services and explores community/agency resources including assisting clients in obtaining necessary healthcare, financial/entitlement and housing services;
• Facilitates client access to a variety of mental and physical health treatment providers, including scheduling appointments;
• Manages the scheduling and coordinating of adult and youth/family intakes;
• Operates a computer to obtain and record client information and appointments;
• Arranges transportation for clients to and from Intake appointments if needed and appropriate;
• Provides supportive counseling to clients as needed;
• If qualified, provides interpretation for the clinical intake interview in the client’s preferred language;
• Meets regularly with the SDA Senior Therapist, SDA Therapist Supervisor or SDA Team Leader to aid in identifying necessary services for clients;
• Frequent interaction with an interdisciplinary team to facilitate clients being connected to the correct services;
• Participates in staff meetings and staff development programs; can provide suggestions for improving any aspect of the intake process;
• Gathers monthly data on calls, referrals and case management services provided for utilization monitoring;
• Provides guidance to interns and volunteers participating in program activities and services;
• Performs related work 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 abuse disorders.

Associate's degree in sociology, psychology, or a related human service field; one year of experience in case coordination, teaching or counseling the economically disadvantaged/developmentally disabled, and emotionally/physically abused/neglected children's population, local offender population, or a homeless population; valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

As required for third party insurance reimbursement, the successful applicant will be a Qualified Mental Health Professional; Bachelor’s degree in human and/or behavioral health services or related field; At least one year of clinical experience providing direct services to persons with a diagnosis of mental illness; Ability to interview clients in emotional crisis and assess when to involve clinically licensed staff. Good telephone/customer service skills. Good computer skills. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

This position requires 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; education/certifications; and driver’s license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00PM, with some evening hours possibly needed occasionally.