Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) (Children’s Behavioral Health Therapist - Outpatient & CAC)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Child & Family Services Division (CFSD) of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Children’s Behavioral Health Bureau is seeking an experienced youth clinician to serve as a Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) in both the outpatient program and the Arlington County Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The Bureau is responsible for providing comprehensive, trauma informed, culturally responsive mental health and substance use services to help youth, with the support of their parents, thrive in their environments. The Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) position is responsible for providing an array of trauma informed, evidence-based/informed and culturally responsive, behavioral health therapeutic services (crisis and safety support services, forensic interview support and follow-up, intake and CAC assessments, individual, family and group therapy, case management, care coordination, and victim advocacy). Services are provided for both outpatient and CAC involved youth. The youth served may have experienced: child abuse and assault, mental health challenges, substance use, trauma and involvement with other child service systems (including juvenile justice, educational, and child welfare). The Behavioral Health Therapist will serve as the liaison for behavioral health services for the CAC multi-disciplinary team (MDT), which includes the Arlington County Police Department Special Victims Unit (SVU), the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Arlington County Attorney’s office, Inova Ewing Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team (FACT), and the Arlington County Department of Human Services, which includes Behavioral Health and Child Protective Services (CPS). The Behavioral Health CAC clinician is expected to provide expertise and behavioral health consultation, training, and outreach presentations. 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. Although positions may be filled at the Non-VA Licensed or Resident/Supervisee, licensure must be earned within three years of hire. The Department of Human Services will provide supervision to staff in pursuit of licensure.

Requirements

Possess one of the following professional licenses from the Virginia Department of Health Professions: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.
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 from the Virginia Department of Health Professions of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline: (LPC), (LCP), (LMFT), (LCSW); Virginia clinical license must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
Perform supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management, and counseling work as a trainee as required, to obtain one of the following professional licenses related to a behavioral health discipline in the state of Virginia: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Must meet (apply for and receive) 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 hire
Obtain appropriate clinical licensure within three years of hire.
Completion of the requirements for obtaining a 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.
The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or ability to use alternative modes of transportation.
If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record.
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record and criminal history which may include an NCIC check, a Virginia State Police background check, an FBI fingerprint background check, and/or a Virginia Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Central Registry search.
Must complete pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check.
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 (except for 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.
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.
State of Virginia Child Welfare and Neglect Central Registry checks will be required.
The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of employment, a valid driver's license, and provide a copy of or allow Arlington County to obtain a copy of the driving record.
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Nice To Haves

Providing direct mental health services to children and families involved with a CAC
Training and experience/or certification in an evidenced based trauma treatment such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Bilingual: Some positions may require employees to be proficient in speaking and understanding Spanish.

Responsibilities

Providing specialized assessments, therapy, education, crisis and trauma support services for child abuse victims and their families referred to the CAC
Participating as a core member of the CAC MDT representing Children’s Behavioral Health in monthly Case Reviews, weekly CAC team meetings, forensic interviews, case specific staffing's and court proceedings
Partnering with schools, court services, and child welfare staff, to support behavioral health service coordination, effective treatment, consultation, and enhanced overall emotional and behavioral wellbeing of youth
Providing outpatient services-trauma-informed and culturally responsive individual/family/group therapy, case management, High-Fidelity Wraparound, care coordination support for youth with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders in school, DHS office, home, court, and other community settings. Including attending school, office and/or community-based meetings and legal hearings
Conducting intake and mental health assessments to determine diagnosis and treatment plans/recommendations
Providing crisis intervention to assist youth and caretakers with maintaining safety in the least restrictive setting possible
Establishing effective therapeutic relationships with clients and participate as a team member by coordinating services
Participating in community outreach/engagement as requested
Ensuring all services are documented in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in compliance with clinical, court, managed care, funding, and program licensing standards
Maintaining accurate records and fulfilling all administrative and regulatory requirements throughout the behavioral health treatment process, including court reviews and service delivery for youth and families