We are seeking licensed bilingual Behavioral Health Therapists to support the Behavioral Healthcare Division of the Department of Human Services (DHS). This employee will be part of the Assessment and Intake Unit and will be responsible for completing comprehensive intake assessments and evaluations for adult clients seeking mental health and substance abuse services. It operates from the Same Day Access Model for services, and meets with individuals on the day they present requesting those services. This Unit provides "front door" functions for accessing services and information, including crisis intervention, assessment and evaluation, short-term care coordination, and referring clients for clinical treatment services in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Bureaus. The clients served in the Bureau come from ethnically and culturally diverse populations.
 
 Specific duties include:

• Meeting face-to-face or via telehealth with adults and their support network to assess their needs and complete the intake process;
• Determining preliminary treatment needs and making service recommendations;
• Completing clinical and administrative documentation;
• Collaborating with other direct line staff and supervisors to prioritize/triage intakes;
• Providing short-term care coordination as needed; and
• Following up with clients after the intake to ensure linkage to services.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable about the services provided by Arlington County or other similar local jurisdictions, contract agencies and other agencies for the purpose of referrals for treatments and have understanding of the Stages of Change Model and Motivational Interviewing.

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. To learn more about the Department of Human Services, please visit the DHS website.

Selection Criteria

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: 

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.

 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.

Bilingual: Proficient in speaking and understanding English and Spanish.