IMPORTANT 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.

Please Note: This position includes a $2,500 gross signing bonus at hire and a $2,500 gross bonus at the completion of the probationary period.

Arlington County’s Department of Human Services (DHS), Behavioral Healthcare Division, Outpatient Services Bureau, is seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Therapist to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health and substance use therapy and case management services to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders. The position works as part of a multidisciplinary outpatient team, serving clients in office and community settings.

Responsibilities

Major Job Duties: 

• Providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive, evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy to adults with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions; 
• Conducting initial and ongoing clinical assessments to determine diagnosis, risk, treatment needs, and appropriate level of care; 
• Developing, implementing, and updating person-centered treatment plans in collaboration with clients and the treatment team; 
• Providing case management, care coordination, referral, and linkage to behavioral health, medical, housing, benefits, and other community resources; 
• Providing crisis intervention, safety planning, and ongoing risk assessment to support safety in the least restrictive setting possible; 
• Participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team and coordinating services with internal programs, contract providers, and community partners; 
• Providing services in office and community settings, including home visits; and
• Documenting services in the electronic health record and completing related administrative and regulatory requirements in compliance with clinical, managed care, funding, and program licensing standards.

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Staff approach, engage, and care for clients with sensitivity to the factors that shape the client experience, including cultural identity, race and ethnicity, religion or spirituality, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Qualifications

Note: Please refer to the Virginia Department of Health Professions requirements for education, registration, and licensure before completing the application.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, or other directly related clinical discipline with internships and practicum requirements involving diagnostic, treatment application of diagnostic, and treatment services.

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 professional licensure (LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) in another jurisdiction at time of employment; and
• Licensure by the Virginia Department of Health Professions relative to this position must be obtained within 3 years of hire.

Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee):

• Obtain a temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (for LPC or LMFT), Resident in Clinical Psychology (for LCP), or registering as a Supervisee in Social Work (for LCSW) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions within 90 days of hire; and
• Licensure by the Virginia Department of Health Professions relative to this position must be obtained within 3 years of hire.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Clinical experience serving adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders; 
• Experience providing evidence-based and trauma-informed care; 
• Experience conducting diagnostic, level-of-care, suicide risk, and other clinical assessments; 
• Experience developing safety plans and providing crisis intervention; 
• Experience providing case management and coordinating services related to housing, benefits, medical care, and community supports; and 
• Experience documenting services in an electronic health record and meeting Medicaid, managed care, licensing, and quality standards.

Special Requirements

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, 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.

Employment Restrictions: To ensure that dual relationships are avoided and that employees who are also clients do not relate to their service provider as co-professionals, employees will not be hired by the County to provide or support services to the team or program in which they are current clients:

• You cannot concurrently receive behavioral health services from Arlington County Community Service Board (CSB) programs while employed in an Arlington County CSB program (exception Crisis Intervention services).
• At least 24 months must have passed between receipt of CSB services from Arlington County and employment in an Arlington County CSB program.

As a condition of employment, employees must maintain required professional licensure and promptly notify the appropriate County representatives of any loss, suspension, or expiration of licensure.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday through Friday, generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or as established by program needs, including occasional evening hours. Telework may be available two to three days per week when consistent with business needs, client care, and supervisory approval. Work is performed at the Department of Human Services office and in community settings. The schedule and work location are subject to change based on program and client needs.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected. 

• Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): $96,304.00 - $149,240.00 Annually
• Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed): $96,304.00 - $149,240.00 Annually
• Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): $83,158.40 - $128,876.80 Annually

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.

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