Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed)

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.

Arlington County's Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) for the Arlington County Forensic Jail Diversion Team. This is a county funded position (program began in July 2009) for an exciting restorative justice program in the Behavioral Healthcare Division of the Department of Human Services. The position will address the need to divert seriously mentally ill and co-occurring individuals from the criminal justice system at the initial junctures such as the Magistrate, bond, and at court hearings. The employee will provide mental health treatment services to clients as part of the existing Jail Diversion/Forensic Case Management Program.

This position is intended to maneuver between the court and community mental health. Court attendance is mandatory and the ability to work across systems is the mechanism to successfully navigate restorative justice efforts.

Major Job Duties:

• Conducting screenings, intake evaluations, and comprehensive assessments to determine eligibility, risk level, treatment needs, and appropriate referrals for individuals participating in diversion, behavioral health, and court-based programs;
• Developing and implementing individualized treatment and service plans that reflect client needs, support recovery goals, and incorporate Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) principles and evidence-based practices;
• Providing therapy, counseling, psychosocial groups, competency restoration services, case management, and other behavioral health interventions as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team;
• Facilitating referrals and linkages to community resources and support services, consulting with partner agencies regarding client treatment needs, and coordinating services to promote successful outcomes;
• Collaborating with courts, magistrates, judges, attorneys, probation officers, and other criminal justice partners to support diversion, treatment, and case management activities, including attending court proceedings as required;
• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation within the electronic health record, tracking participant contacts and program expenditures, and preparing required reports for County, Community Services Board (CSB), and state reporting purposes;
• Assisting with crisis intervention activities, applying trauma-informed and de-escalation practices, and obtaining and maintaining required certifications, including Commonwealth of Virginia prescreener certification;
• Maintaining knowledge of community resources, behavioral health services, court processes, and applicable regulations to support effective service delivery and client referrals;
• Assisting with program administration, including generating statistical reports, responding to internal and external inquiries, supporting data reporting requirements, and maintaining compliance with County administrative requirements; and
• Participating in required meetings, trainings, professional development activities, and other duties as assigned to support program operations and departmental priorities.

Arlington County 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.

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: 

• 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

Therapists may be hired at one of the following levels:

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