Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) for the Arlington County Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST) within the Client Services Entry Bureau. This position is part of a team that provides mobile outreach to the community, responding to urgent/crisis behavioral health needs. Responsibilities include conducting mental health assessments, providing crisis intervention and stabilization, short-term counseling, assisting individuals and their families with identifying resources and linking them to services, conducting welfare checks, and partnering with police and first responders to divert individuals from arrest and/or hospitalization when appropriate.

Requirements

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.
Considerable post-master’s degree experience providing mental health services.
One (1) year minimum of working with seriously mentally ill individuals in crisis.
Licensure by the appropriate board of the Virginia Department of Health Professions (VDHP), appropriate to the employees' discipline (e.g. LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) at time of employment.
Possession of one of the following professional licenses from the Virginia Department of Health Professions (VDHP): LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.
Must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license.
Ability to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted.
A pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check will also be completed before hire.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of solution focused crisis counseling, the Stages of Change Model, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma informed care.
Preadmission Prescreening Clinician Certification from the VA Department of Behavioral Health & Development Sciences (DBHDS).
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Preadmission Prescreening Clinician Certification from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Development Sciences (DBHDS) or obtain within 180 days of employment.

Responsibilities

Responding to calls from 911 and first responders to assess needs, determine appropriate level of care, de-escalate and make referrals.
Providing clinical intervention services for clients experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
Conducting evaluations and risk assessments, utilizing a strength-based approach.
Conducting screenings for hospitalization or other diversionary services (e.g. partial hospitalization, residential, respite, intensive community services), ensuring that services are provided in the least restrictive environment.
Working with Police, Emergency Services, Fire/EMS, ECC, and other partners as needed to identify people in need and to coordinate services.
Engaging with people who may be in distress, assessing their needs and determining a plan for stability.
Conducting welfare checks for people connected to Behavioral Health services in the county as well as referrals from first responders.
Managing information about participants of MOST to ensure that all contacts are recorded.
Assisting the Program Manager with generating and maintaining accurate program specific statistical data.
Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and various software such as electronic health records to document cases and interactions.