Description
The MARCUS Alert Clinician provides rapid, community-based crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or developmental disability crises. This position responds to requests from public safety dispatch (911/PSAP), law enforcement, the agency, and community partners, delivering assessment, stabilization, and referral services via phone, telehealth, and face-to-face contact.
The clinician works independently under established practices and professional standards while collaborating closely with law enforcement, courts, hospitals, families, and community providers to ensure timely, ethical, and clinically appropriate crisis response throughout the VCSB catchment area, in accordance with Virginia law and agency policy.
VCSB by the Numbers
Based on a third-party employee engagement survey conducted in 2025:
- 77% of employees report being highly engaged.
- 83% of employees report feeling supported by their supervisor
- 83% of employees would recommend working at VCSB to others.
- 79% of employees report they are equipped with the resources needed to effectively perform their jobs effectively.
Benefits:
- Health insurance as low as $40/month for individuals. Family and dependent plans are also available.
- Sign-on bonus of $2,500.
- Salary range from $57,500 - $70,000.
- 14 paid holidays.
- Accrue up to 20 days of paid time off (PTO) per year from year one. PTO is immediately available upon accrual.
- Participation in the Virginia Retirement System.
- Professional development assistance provided.
- Clinical supervision provided.
Essential Functions:
Crisis Response & Clinical Services
- Provide co-response services with local law enforcement to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises dispatched through PSAP/911.
- Deliver crisis assessment, intervention, stabilization, and referral services in office, community, and home-based settings, with or without law enforcement involvement.
- Conduct pre-admission screenings for psychiatric and substance use hospitalizations to determine appropriateness and involuntary commitment criteria.
- Serve as a Virginia Certified Preadmission Screener (if qualified), preparing screening reports and recommendations for Emergency Custody Orders (ECOs) and Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs).
- Coordinate involuntary commitments and hospital admissions with courts, magistrates, and inpatient facilities.
- Provide consultation regarding ECO/TDO processes to community members, law enforcement, and other stakeholders.
- Respond to non-hospital crisis situations through de-escalation, stabilization, and connection to appropriate community resources.
- Offer consultation, education, and support to individuals, families, and agencies regarding Emergency Services and MARCUS Alert programs.
- Provide emergency coverage for clients when primary providers are unavailable.
- Deliver brief therapeutic interventions and actively pursue least restrictive alternatives to hospitalization.
- Maintain current knowledge of Virginia statutes, community resources, and crisis response best practices.
Collaboration & Professional Support
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams, law enforcement, courts, hospitals, and community partners.
- Serve as a clinical consultant to other Emergency Services clinicians, when qualified.
- Provide clinical supervision to license-eligible staff, when qualified and appropriate.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
- Master's degree in human services or a related field from an accredited college or university (unless DBHDS grandfathered).
- Licensed or license-eligible as an LCSW, LPC, or similar credential (unless DBHDS grandfathered).
- Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in crisis intervention, emergency mental health services, or a related field.
- Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license (or obtain within 90 days) and maintain an acceptable driving record.
- Work occurs in office, community, and law enforcement settings and may involve high-stress, time-sensitive situations.
Preferred Qualifications:
The most competitive candidates will have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Certification as a Virginia Pre-Admission Screener.
- Strong organizational and documentation skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and culturally responsive services.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience collaborating with law enforcement and community partners.