Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) - Arlington County, VA : Job Details

Job DescriptionIMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The Department of Human Services (DHS) has an opportunity for an experienced Behavioral Health Therapist within the Outpatient Services Bureau (OSB) of the Behavioral Healthcare Division (BHD). This individual will be responsible for providing comprehensive, trauma informed, and culturally responsive mental health and substance use Therapy and Case Management services to Adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). To learn more about the Department of Human Services, please visit the DHS website. Responsibilities Specific duties include:

• Providing direct individual/group psychotherapy, case management, and care coordination support to adults with mental health, substance use and/or co-occurring disorders;
• Conducting initial and on-going assessments to determine level of care needed;
• Providing crisis intervention while maintaining safety in the least restrictive setting possible;
• Developing and implementing treatment plans;
• Establishing effective therapeutic relationships with clients;
• Participating as a team member providing coordinated care of services;
• Serving clients in the community, which may include home visits;
• Performing case management and other related administrative duties; and
• Documenting all services in the electronic health record to ensure compliance with clinical, funding, and program licensing regulations/standards.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about the services provided by Arlington County, contract agencies and other agencies for the purpose of referrals to needed treatment and have understanding of the Stages of Change Model, Motivational Interviewing and is trauma informed. Arlington County is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged, and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs. QualificationsMinimum:

• Master's degree in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, Art Therapy, or other directly related clinical discipline with internships and practicum requirements specified by the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

Therapists may be hired at one of the following levels:Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed):

• Possession of one of the following professional licenses from the Virginia Department of Health Professions: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.

Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed):

• Possess a license in a jurisdiction other than Virginia and are performing supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management and counseling work while awaiting licensure from the Virginia Department of Health Professions of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline: (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW);
• License must be obtained within 90 days of hire; and
• While awaiting licensure from the State of Virginia (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW), must meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child (QMHP-C) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire.

Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee):

• Perform supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management, and counseling work as a trainee in order to obtain one of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline in the state of Virginia:
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Must meet the educational requirements to obtain a temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (for LPC or LMFT) or Resident in Clinical Psychology (for LCP), or register as a Supervisee in Social Work (LCSW) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions within 90 days of hire;
• Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Child (QMHP-C) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire; and
• Obtain appropriate licensure within three years of hire.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following experiences:

• Working with clients with co-occurring substance use disorders;
• Experience providing best practices related to mental health and substance use;
• Conducting assessments for the seriously mentally ill to determine needs for outpatient clinical services, housing needs, financial entitlements, and other services;
• Experience providing Evidence Based Treatment to those with trauma related needs; and/or
• Conducting ongoing and accurate risk assessments and developing safety plans/interventions.

Special RequirementsDriver's License: The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record. Background Check: Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record and criminal history which may include an NCIC check, a Virginia State Police background check, an FBI fingerprint background check, and/or a Virginia Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Central Registry search. Additional InformationWork Hours: 40 hours per week with normal working hours between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with some flexibility. Employee may be required to work some evenings depending on programmatic need. Some telework available. Although positions may be underfilled at the Non-VA Licensed or Resident/Supervisee, licensure must be earned within three years of hire. The Department of Human Services will provide supervision to staff in pursuit of licensure. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST (LICENSED): $93,496.00 - $144,892.80 Annually BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST (NON-VA LICENSED): $93,496.00 - $144,892.80 Annually BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (RESIDENT/SUPERVISEE): $80,724.80 - $125,112.00 Annually Your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are considered part of the selection process. Please do not enter see resume as a response to the questions. Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note: Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis. Interviews will be scheduled with those candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This announcement may also be used to fill immediate and future vacancies within the Behavioral Health Division. This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan. For more information on Arlington County's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here. Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment. #LI-Hybrid