Behavioral Health Therapist (Jail Based Services)

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 Department of Human Services is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist to work in the Arlington County Detention Facility as part of a behavioral health treatment team. This professional position is responsible for performing psycho-social assessments, managing crises, making clinical placement decisions, assisting with re-entry planning and working on an interdisciplinary team to meet the needs of people detained at the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF). The population served is ethnically and culturally diverse.

• Conducting intake evaluation, interviews and assessments;
• Providing crisis intervention and assisting in obtaining emergency medical/psychiatric treatment;
• Referring clients to appropriate services and agencies, and coordinating program services with involved medical/psychiatric personnel, classification and security staff, probation/parole officers and/or other services providers;
• Working closely with Arlington County court system and attorneys to see if competency is a concern and/or providing appropriate services for clients once released;
• Carrying a caseload of individuals in units that are experiencing mental health concerns and difficulties adjusting to incarceration;
• Assisting clients with discharge planning;
• Assessing clients for Emergency custody Order (ECO);
• Consulting and collaborating with other professionals and the supervisor regarding client’s needs and treatment recommendations;
• Completing all documentation within expected timeframes including treatment plans, progress notes, etc.; and
• Collaborating with criminal justice partners to ensure the best resources for clients.

The ideal candidate will have vast knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as insight into the best practices in treating behavioral health and substance use 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.
 

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 experience in one or more of the following: 

• Working in the criminal justice system

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, Tuesday through Saturday. Some evening, weekend or holiday work will be required.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

1. Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): $96,304.00 - $149,240.00 Annually
2. Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed): $96,304.00 - $149,240.00 Annually
3. Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): $83,158.40 - $128,876.80 Annually
    

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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