The posting
Job Description
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
This position includes a $2,500 gross sign-on bonus upon hire and a second $2,500 gross sign-on bonus upon successful completion of the probationary period.
The Child & Family Services Division (CFSD) of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Children’s Behavioral Health Bureau, is seeking an experienced Bilingual School Based Behavioral Health Therapist (English/Spanish) to be part of a school-based outpatient team. 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. Services for youth are provided in their homes, school, community, and the DHS office.
This position is primarily embedded and co-located between Arlington County Public School(s) and the DHS office. The Behavioral Health Therapist position is responsible for providing an array of culturally responsive and trauma informed direct behavioral health therapeutic services (mental health and substance use therapy, case management, care coordination, parent education and support, High Fidelity Wraparound-intensive care coordination) for youth experiencing mental health challenges, substance use issues, and involvement with other child service systems (including legal system, educational system, child welfare system, etc).
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:
- Participating in a multi-disciplinary team, including partnering with Arlington Public School, court services, and child welfare staff, to support behavioral health service coordination, effective treatment, consultation, enhanced overall emotional and behavioral wellbeing of youth;
- Conducting intake assessments to determine diagnosis, and treatment plans/recommendations;
- Providing crisis intervention to assist youth with maintaining safety in the least restrictive setting;
- Establishing effective therapeutic relationships with clients and participating 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; and
- 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.
The ideal candidate is passionate about supporting the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents, and families and has the following:
- Strong clinical skills, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to equity;
- Ability to use evidence-based and trauma-informed practices to help students and families thrive; and
- Ability to collaborate effectively with families, school staff, DHS colleagues, and community partners to deliver high-quality behavioral health services to Arlington County's diverse population.
Qualifications
This announcement Is for a Bilingual (Spanish and English) position. Bilingual positions require employees to be proficient in speaking and understanding Spanish.
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 three levels:
Minimums:
All levels education requirement: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Psychiatric Social Work, Psychology, or other directly related clinical discipline with internships and practicum requirements involving diagnostic, treatment application of diagnostic, and treatment services
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);
- Virginia clinical license must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee):
- Within 90 days of hire, obtaining a temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (for LPC or LMFT), Resident in Clinical Psychology (for LCP) or registering as a Supervisee in Social Work (for LCSW) with the Virginia Department of Health Professions (VDHP).
- Licensure by the appropriate board of Virginia Department of Health Professions must be obtained within 3 years of hire.
Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with experience in one or more of the following:
- Providing direct mental health services to youth in a school setting; and/or
- Experience providing co-located services
Special Requirements
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.
Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
Resume: Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.
Bilingual: An assessment of verbal Spanish proficiency would be required before a candidate can be appointed to a bilingual position (English/Spanish). The incumbent in a bilingual position would receive the language pay premium on all hours worked and on paid leave hours.
Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.
Additional Information
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.
The applicable salary ranges for each designation are below:
- Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): $96,304-$149,240 Annually
- Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): $83,158.40-$128,876.80 Annually
- Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed): $96,304-$149,240 Annually
Work hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or as established by program need. At least two evenings (after 5:00 p.m.) per week are required. This position can telework from home when not working in person, in the school, office, or community. Telework options pending supervisor approval.
The office is located at 2100 Washington Blvd (Sequoia Plaza). Primary work will be performed in Arlington Public School and community locations and DHS office.
The official title of this position is Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed).
This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.
For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.
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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