Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed)

Arlington County VA • Arlington, VA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Arlington County’s Department of Human Services, Outpatient Services Bureau, is hiring an experienced full-time Behavioral Health Therapist to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive mental health and substance use therapy and case management to adults with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and/or co-occurring disorders. The role may be filled at the licensed, non-Virginia-licensed, or resident/supervisee level, with supervision provided to staff pursuing licensure.

Services are delivered through the outpatient program and in the community, which may include home visits. The position includes crisis intervention, coordinated care, clinical documentation, and referrals to appropriate County, contract-agency, and other community services. Some telework is available. The position is eligible for two gross sign-on bonuses of $2,500 each: one upon hire and one after successful completion of probation.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, Art Therapy, or another directly related clinical discipline, including internships and practicum requirements specified by the Virginia Department of Health Professions.
• For the licensed level: hold a Virginia Department of Health Professions license as an LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.
• For the non-Virginia-licensed level: hold a relevant license in another jurisdiction and obtain the applicable Virginia license within 90 days of hire; meet QMHP-A or QMHP-C criteria within 60 days of hire while awaiting Virginia licensure.
• For the resident/supervisee level: meet the educational requirements for a temporary Resident in Counseling or Resident in Clinical Psychology license, or register as a Supervisee in Social Work with the Virginia Department of Health Professions within 90 days of hire; meet QMHP-A criteria within 60 days of hire; and obtain appropriate licensure within three years of hire.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, or obtain one by appointment, and provide or authorize access to an official driving record; alternatively, be able and willing to use other transportation to perform assigned duties away from the primary worksite.
• Pass a pre-employment background check covering criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history.
• Employees may not provide or support services to an Arlington County Community Service Board program in which they are current clients, with an exception for Crisis Intervention services; at least 24 months must have passed since receiving Arlington County CSB services before employment in an Arlington County CSB program.
• Demonstrate understanding of the Stages of Change Model, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed practice.
• Provide services with cultural responsiveness and sensitivity to factors affecting client experience, including cultural identity, gender, racial and ethnic diversity, religious or spiritual identity, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with clients with co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Experience providing best practices related to mental health and substance use.
• Experience conducting assessments for people with serious mental illness to determine outpatient clinical services, housing, financial entitlements, and other service needs.
• Experience providing evidence-based treatment to people with trauma-related needs.
• Experience conducting ongoing, accurate risk assessments and developing safety plans or interventions.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group psychotherapy, case management, and care coordination to adults with mental health, substance use, and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments to determine the appropriate level of care.
• Provide crisis intervention while maintaining safety in the least restrictive setting possible.
• Develop and implement treatment plans.
• Establish effective therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Participate as a team member in coordinated service delivery.
• Serve clients in the community, which may include conducting home visits.
• Perform case management and related administrative duties as needed.
• Document all services in the electronic health record in compliance with clinical, funding, and program licensing regulations and standards.
• Refer clients to needed treatment and services offered by Arlington County, contract agencies, and other agencies.
• Conduct supervised assessment, evaluation, diagnostic, treatment-planning, case-management, and counseling work when hired at the non-Virginia-licensed or resident/supervisee level.

Benefits

• Two gross sign-on bonuses of $2,500 each: one upon hire and a second after probation is met.
• Health benefits.
• Dental benefits.
• Vacation leave.
• Sick leave.
• Commuter transportation subsidies.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Retirement plan.
• Language pay premium for incumbents in bilingual positions, paid on hours worked and paid leave hours.

What This Job Offers

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