This position includes a $1500.00 gross signing bonus at hire and $1500.00 gross bonus at the completion of the probationary period.

Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist, for the Client Services Entry Bureau team to assist in the clinical and administrative management of the Emergency Services (ES) program. ES provides crisis intervention, stabilization, and psychiatric services to individuals with imminent behavioral health crises while they are living, visiting, or working in Arlington County. This position will be responsible for delivering shared clinical and administrative oversight as well as supervision to ES clinicians.

*This position is considered "essential" and is part of a team that provides services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Specific duties include:

• Working closely with the ES Supervisor to provide clinical and administrative supervision for ES clinicians and assisting with program coverage when ES Supervisor is absent;

• Providing on-call supervision on nights/weekends/holidays in rotation with the ES Supervisor;

• Providing on-site management of the program, particularly in the evening, assisting with triage and staffing of challenging cases which may include troubleshooting with law enforcement and the police liaison to ES;

• Providing a minimum of 50% direct services to clients as a member of the ES team including conducting assessments in office-based and community-settings;

• Assisting the ES Supervisor with administrative duties including monitoring the budget, managing the monthly schedules; participating in the hiring process, on-boarding of new ES therapists, and data collection;

• Representing the programs by attending local, regional or state meetings related to emergency client services as requested by the Program Manager; 

• Assisting in data collection and evaluations in relation to agency and state regulations or requirements; 

• Participating in program planning by identifying client needs, evaluating service effectiveness, and recommending needed service or program modifications; and

• Maintaining a working knowledge of the program budget, analyzing revenues and expenditures, and maximizing reimbursement opportunities.

Arlington County DHS 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.

Minimum: 

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical field such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, Art Therapy, or other directly related clinical field;

• Considerable post-Master’s degree experience providing clinical therapy and other mental health services, which included the application of diagnostic and treatment services; and

• At least one year of experience providing services to clients who are severely mentally-ill.

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

• Experience coordinating/administering services; 

• Experience with assessing mental health and substance use services;

• Program or project analysis, planning, and evaluation; and/or

• Experience in crisis or emergency settings, including experience with involuntary treatment.

Licenses/Certifications: The applicant must possess, or obtain within 90 days of employment, professional licensure (LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) from the appropriate board of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

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

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

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.

Work Hours: Work is performed as part of 24/7 operation and the worker must be able to work shifts as necessary, including after-hours telephone coverage to support other Client Services Entry programs and during emergency situations as necessary.

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. A cover letter will also be required to be attached to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

The official title for this position is Behavioral Health Therapist III. 

All Behavioral Health Therapist III’s are 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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