Behavioral Health Therapist-MOST (Licensed)

Arlington County's 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. As part of a team that provides mobile outreach to the community, this position responds to urgent/crisis behavioral health needs in the community to include conducting mental health assessment, providing crisis intervention and stabilization, short-term counseling, assisting individuals and their families with identifying resources, and linking individuals to services as needed, conducting welfare checks, partnering with the police and first responders to divert people from arrest and/or hospitalization when appropriate.

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.

Responsibilities

Specific duties include:

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 Emergency Services, Path Forward, New Hope Housing, Police, Fire/EMS, ECC, TOW 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; and

Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and various software such as electronic health records to document cases and interactions. The ideal candidate is patient, calm, organized, understanding, inquisitive and is a leader that cares about making a positive interaction within their community as well as within their team. They will have experience and the capability to adapt to changing situations every day and will be able to encourage out-of-the box solutions to a multitude of problems as they arise.

Qualifications

Note: Please refer to the guidelines for registration and licensure set forth by the Virginia Department of Health Professions prior to completing this application.

Therapists may be hired at one of the following levels:

Minimums:

Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed):

Possess one of the following professional licenses from the Virginia Department of Health Professions: LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW. Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed):

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); and

License must be obtained within 90 days of hire. Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): Perform supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management, and counseling work as a trainee in order 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; and

Obtain appropriate licensure within three years of hire. Education: 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession or obtainment of:

Preadmission Prescreening Clinician Certification from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Development Sciences (DBHDS) within 180 days of employment ( 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.

Employment restrictions: 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 (exception 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.

Additional Information

Work Hours: 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with some flexibility and differing hours depending on programmatic need. Work is performed as part of 24/7 operation and the worker must be able to work shifts as necessary, including after-hours and during emergency situations as necessary.

Your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are considered part of the selection process. Please do not enter "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

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