Behavioral Health Therapist

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 $2500 gross sign-on bonus upon hire and a second $2500 gross sign-on bonus after probation has been met.

Please note: This position may be filled at one of three levels. Although positions may be filled at the Non-VA Licensed or Resident/Supervisee, Virginia licensure must be earned within three years of hire. The Department of Human Services will provide supervision to staff in pursuit of licensure.

The Child & Family Services Division (CFSD) of the Department of Human Services (DHS), Children’s Behavioral Health Bureau, is seeking an experienced Behavioral Health Therapist to be part of an 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.

The Behavioral Health Therapist position is responsible for providing an array of culturally responsive and trauma informed behavioral health therapeutic services 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). This position provides services in the DHS office and community settings as 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.

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

• Providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to youth with mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders in school, DHS office, home, court, and other community settings. Services can include: individual/family/group therapy, case management, care coordination, high fidelity wraparound, individual and group caregiver support;
• Attending school, office and/or community-based meetings and legal hearings;
• 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;
• Participating in multi-disciplinary teams to support behavioral health service coordination, effective treatment, consultation, and enhanced overall emotional and behavioral wellbeing of youth;
• Taking part 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 a trauma informed and culturally responsive behavioral health professional who is passionate about supporting children, youth, and families.

Provides services across multiple environments, including schools, DHS offices, homes, and other community-based settings, ensuring accessible and comprehensive care.

The successful candidate builds strong therapeutic relationships, uses evidence-based and informed practices, and collaborates effectively with caregivers, schools, and community partners.

This individual is adaptable, team-oriented, equity focused and committed to providing high-quality behavioral health services that promote positive outcomes for diverse children and families in Arlington County.

Qualifications

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

Minimum Qualifications

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)

• Perform supervised assessment and evaluation, diagnostic, treatment planning, case management, and counseling work as a trainee as required 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;
• Obtain appropriate clinical 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.

Please note: The selected candidate will be required to provide their official transcripts to the hiring manager prior to onboarding.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates who are fully licensed and/or have experience in one or more of the following:

• Providing direct mental and substance use services (therapy, case management) to youth in a community-based settings;
• Experience providing co-located services; and/or
• Experience with intensive care coordination/high fidelity wraparound interventions/model.

Special Requirements

Professional Licenses/Certifications: The applicant must possess, or obtain within 3 years of employment, professional licensure (LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) from the appropriate board of the Virginia Department of Health Professions.

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.

State of Virginia Child Welfare and Neglect Central Registry checks will be required.

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:

1. 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).

2. At least 24 months must have passed between receipt of CSB services from Arlington County and employment in an Arlington County CSB program.

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

Work hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, 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 perso