Arlington County's 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). 

*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:

• 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 implement 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.

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. 

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable about the services provided by Arlington County, contract agencies and other agencies for the purpose of referrals to needed treatment and have a deep understanding of the Stages of Change Model, Motivational Interviewing, and is trauma informed. 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university 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 based on licensure:

Note: Please refer to the guidelines for registration and licensure set forth by the Virginia Department of Health Professions prior to completing this application. 

Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed):

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

Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed):

• Currently 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 by endorsement from the DHP of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW. The license by endorsement must be obtained within 90 days of employment.

Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee):

• Employees at this trainee level are performing supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management and counseling work in order to obtain one of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW. To qualify, employees 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 employment and obtain appropriate licensure within three years.

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

• Experience working with clients with co-occurring substance use disorders;

• Experience providing services and evaluating best practices related to mental health and substance use;

• Experience conducting assessments of seriously mentally ill patients to determine needs for outpatient clinical services, housing needs, financial entitlements, and other services; and/or

• Experience conducting ongoing and accurate risk assessments and developing safety plans/interventions. 

Licenses/Certifications:

• Licensed & Non-VA Licensed applicants must possess, or obtain within 90 days of employment, and maintain professional licensure (LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) from the appropriate board of the Virginia Department of Health Professions;

• Resident/Supervisee level applicants must obtain a temporary license, residency, or register as a Supervisee within 90 days of employment and then obtain appropriate licensure within three years; and

• All applicants 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. 

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: 40 hours a week, between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with some flexibility and differing hours depending on programmatic need. Work is performed as part of 24/7 operation and the worker must be able to work shifts as necessary, including after-hours and during emergency situations as necessary. Some telework opportunities are also available.

Salary Ranges (Annually):

Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) - $91,852.80 - $140,316.80 Annually

Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed) - $91,852.80 - $140,316.80 Annually

Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee) - $76,980.80 - $117,624.00 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. 

The official titles for these positions are Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed - Resident/Supervisee). 

All Behavioral Health Therapists 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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