Behavioral Health Specialist II - Residential Treatment & Detox Services

Fairfax County • Va 20151 (Ch03), VA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Specialist II works as part of a multidisciplinary team in the Residential Treatment & Detox Services team, providing person-centered care to adults throughout their recovery journey. The position is in the 30-bed Detoxification Program, which provides around-the-clock care for adults experiencing substance use disorders and accepts admissions 24 hours a day. The role requires availability for days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, and is designated as emergency/essential services personnel who must report during inclement weather and other emergencies.

Responsibilities may include screenings and assessments, admissions and discharges, maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu, facilitating psychoeducational groups, individual support and crisis intervention, clinical documentation, transporting clients to appointments, and collaboration with internal and external partners. The position also involves broader behavioral health services, including treatment planning and implementation, case management, outreach, health promotion, risk assessment, referral, advocacy, and maintaining electronic health records. Duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Applicants must meet one of the stated education and clinical-experience pathways: a relevant bachelor's degree plus 1,500 clinical hours; a bachelor's degree and valid QMHP or CSAC certification plus 1,500 clinical hours; or a relevant master's degree plus 500 clinical hours. A valid driver's license is required, along with MANDT certification within six months and First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of appointment. Required screening includes criminal background, Child Protective Services Registry, driving record, sanctions, and TB screening. Selection may include a panel interview and practical exercise.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and clinical-experience requirements: bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, or a related field plus 1,500 hours of clinical experience; bachelor's degree plus valid QMHP or CSAC certification and 1,500 hours of clinical experience; or master's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, or a related field plus 500 hours of clinical experience.
• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points, or equivalent in another state, maintained throughout employment.
• Obtain MANDT certification within six months of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Obtain First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of appointment and maintain throughout employment.
• Complete required criminal background, Child Protective Services Registry, driving record, and sanction screenings to the employer's satisfaction.
• Complete TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Be available to work days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.
• Report for duty during inclement weather and other emergencies as essential services personnel.
• Ability to formulate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans and conduct behavioral health and risk assessments using evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches.
• Knowledge of behavioral health service principles, theories, and methods; evidence-based treatment methods; psychological, physiological, and psychiatric terminology, theories, and practices; assessment processes; interviewing techniques; social-history gathering; and community resources.
• Ability to manage a caseload, establish rapport, maintain effective relationships, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and maintain records.
• Ability to transport clients, lift up to 20 pounds, maintain building security when alone on shift, perform CPR, and administer First Aid.
• Licensed providers may not opt out of being a Medicare provider.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a residential treatment program.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders, mental health challenges, or co-occurring conditions.
• Experience communicating effectively with diverse bilingual or multilingual populations.
• Experience using language access tools in a behavioral health setting.
• Bilingual ability; qualified bilingual employees may be eligible for a foreign-language skills stipend.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioral health screenings, intakes, and assessments, including risk assessments.
• Complete client admissions and discharges.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu.
• Facilitate psychoeducational groups and provide individual, group, and/or family treatment under supervision.
• Develop and implement client- and family-centered therapeutic treatment plans under clinical supervision.
• Provide individual support, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, and crisis management as needed.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and comprehensive electronic health records and prepare reports.
• Transport clients to appointments and activities.
• Collaborate with service professionals and internal and external partners.
• Provide case management, outreach, engagement, wellness, health promotion, entry, navigation, and referral services as needed.
• Advocate for clients' rights and needed services.
• Monitor the impact of medication on client functioning and consult medical professionals as needed.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with community groups and public and private agencies.
• Prepare and administer behavioral health educational curricula.
• Testify in court regarding client services, progress, and recommendations when required.
• Maintain building security when alone on shift.

Benefits

• Clinical supervision for employees registered as licensed eligible mental health professionals in specified fields.
• Reimbursement for job-related licenses and/or certifications once per year.
• Qualified bilingual employees may receive a foreign-language skills stipend of up to $1,600 per year for full-time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level