Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed)

Arlington County VA • Arlington, VA

11h • Hybrid

About The Position

Arlington County’s Department of Human Services, Behavioral Healthcare Division, Outpatient Services Bureau, is seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Therapist to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health and substance use therapy and case management to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders. The therapist works as part of a multidisciplinary outpatient team and serves clients in office and community settings, including home visits.

The position provides individual and group psychotherapy, clinical assessment, person-centered treatment planning, case management, care coordination, crisis intervention, safety planning, and risk assessment. The therapist collaborates with clients, the treatment team, internal programs, contract providers, and community partners, and documents services in the electronic health record while meeting applicable clinical, managed care, funding, and licensing standards.

Arlington County DHS expects staff to deliver services effectively, equitably, respectfully, and in a trauma-informed manner, with sensitivity to factors shaping the client experience, including cultural identity, race and ethnicity, religion or spirituality, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs. The position generally works Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or as program needs require, including occasional evening hours. Telework may be available two to three days per week subject to business needs, client care, and supervisory approval. Work is performed at the Department of Human Services office and in community settings, and the schedule and work location may change based on program and client needs. A gross $2,500 signing bonus is offered at hire, with another gross $2,500 bonus upon completion of the probationary period.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, or another directly related clinical discipline, with internships and practicum requirements involving diagnostic and treatment application services.
• For the licensed level, possess a Virginia Department of Health Professions professional license as an LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.
• For the non-Virginia-licensed level, possess an LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW license in another jurisdiction at the time of employment and obtain the relevant Virginia license within three years of hire.
• For the resident/supervisee level, obtain a Virginia temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (LPC or LMFT), Resident in Clinical Psychology (LCP), or register as a Supervisee in Social Work (LCSW) within 90 days of hire, and obtain the relevant Virginia license within three years of hire.
• Maintain required professional licensure as a condition of employment and promptly notify appropriate County representatives of any loss, suspension, or expiration of licensure.
• Possess or obtain by appointment a valid driver’s license and provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain an official driving record; alternatively, have the ability and willingness to use alternative transportation to perform duties at locations other than the primary worksite.
• Authorize the County to obtain background information through a signed release; pre-employment checks include criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history.
• Not concurrently receive behavioral health services from Arlington County Community Service Board 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.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical experience serving adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Experience providing evidence-based and trauma-informed care.
• Experience conducting diagnostic, level-of-care, suicide risk, and other clinical assessments.
• Experience developing safety plans and providing crisis intervention.
• Experience providing case management and coordinating services related to housing, benefits, medical care, and community supports.
• Experience documenting services in an electronic health record and meeting Medicaid, managed care, licensing, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive, evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy to adults with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions.
• Conduct initial and ongoing clinical assessments to determine diagnosis, risk, treatment needs, and appropriate level of care.
• Develop, implement, and update person-centered treatment plans in collaboration with clients and the treatment team.
• Provide case management, care coordination, referrals, and linkage to behavioral health, medical, housing, benefits, and other community resources.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and ongoing risk assessment to support safety in the least restrictive setting possible.
• Participate in a multidisciplinary team and coordinate services with internal programs, contract providers, and community partners.
• Provide services in office and community settings, including home visits.
• Document services in the electronic health record and complete related administrative and regulatory requirements in compliance with clinical, managed care, funding, and program licensing standards.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vacation and sick leave
• Commuter transportation subsidies
• Tuition reimbursement
• Generous retirement plan
• $2,500 gross signing bonus at hire and a $2,500 gross bonus upon completion of the probationary period

What This Job Offers

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