Behavioral Health Therapist (Jail Based Services)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Arlington County’s Department of Human Services is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist to work with a behavioral health treatment team at the Arlington County Detention Facility. The position serves an ethnically and culturally diverse detained population and involves psychosocial assessment, crisis response, clinical placement decisions, re-entry planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The role may be filled at the Licensed, Non-VA Licensed, or Resident/Supervisee level. For certain non-Virginia-licensed or trainee levels, the County provides supervision toward Virginia licensure, which must be obtained within the stated timelines. The therapist supports clients with behavioral health and substance-use needs in a trauma-informed, equitable, respectful, and culturally responsive manner. The position coordinates with medical and psychiatric personnel, detention classification and security staff, courts, attorneys, probation and parole officers, and other service providers. It also includes maintaining timely clinical documentation and collaborating with criminal justice partners to connect clients with appropriate resources. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; some evening, weekend, or holiday work is required. A $2,500 gross sign-on bonus is offered upon hire and a second $2,500 gross bonus after probation is met. Starting salary depends on qualifications and experience: $96,304–$149,240 annually for Licensed and Non-VA Licensed levels, and $83,158.40–$128,876.80 annually for the Resident/Supervisee level. County benefits include health and dental coverage, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement plan.

Requirements

For the Licensed level, hold a Virginia Department of Health Professions license as an LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW.
For the Non-VA Licensed level, hold a license in another jurisdiction in a relevant behavioral health discipline and obtain the corresponding Virginia clinical license within 90 days of hire.
For the Resident/Supervisee level, meet the educational requirements for a temporary Virginia resident license or register as a Supervisee in Social Work with the Virginia Department of Health Professions within 90 days of hire, and obtain appropriate clinical licensure within three years of hire.
Complete the requirements for a 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.
Provide official transcripts to the hiring manager before onboarding.
Undergo pre-employment checks of criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history, and complete required Virginia Child Welfare and Neglect Central Registry checks.
Meet the County’s restrictions concerning current or recent receipt of Arlington County Community Service Board services.

Nice To Haves

Full professional licensure.
Experience working in the criminal justice system.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system and best practices for treating behavioral health and substance-use needs.

Responsibilities

Conduct intake evaluations, interviews, and assessments.
Provide crisis intervention and assist clients in obtaining emergency medical or psychiatric treatment.
Refer clients to appropriate services and agencies and coordinate services with medical and psychiatric personnel, classification and security staff, probation and parole officers, and other providers.
Work with the Arlington County court system and attorneys to identify competency concerns and provide appropriate services for clients upon release.
Carry a caseload of individuals in units who are experiencing mental health concerns or difficulty adjusting to incarceration.
Assist clients with discharge planning.
Assess clients for Emergency Custody Orders (ECOs).
Consult and collaborate with professionals and the supervisor regarding client needs and treatment recommendations.
Complete documentation within expected timeframes, including treatment plans and progress notes.
Collaborate with criminal justice partners to identify and provide appropriate resources for clients.