This position includes a $2,500.00 gross signing bonus at hire and $2,500.00 gross bonus at the completion of the probationary period.

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 an experienced Behavioral Health Specialist to serve as Case Manager at Clarendon House, the psychosocial rehabilitation program serving adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders. The Case Manager will provide assigned clients with outreach, engagement, support, coordination, and direct case management services using knowledge of trauma-informed care and have familiarity working with clients who have both mental health and substance use disorders. The Case Manager is also responsible for the assessment of suicidality and for delivering basic safety and crisis prevention planning. This position will collaborate with multidisciplinary providers on the Clarendon House team including psychiatrists, therapists, day program staff, peer support specialist, community and natural supports. At least 50% of services take place in the community.

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:

Providing service assessments and planning;
Performing case management and related administrative duties;
Providing risk assessments on functioning and services needs;
Deciding when and how to intervene in a clinical and/or housing crisis;
Working intensively with clients to reduce any challenges or barriers to successfully maintain their current housing or transition to another appropriate housing program;
Providing encouragement of functional skills such as money management and other self-help task skills;
Accompanying the client to and advocating with providers and other support systems to maintain housing; and follow through on medical treatment needs;
Documenting all treatment needs and services delivered in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) according to standards; and
Meeting policy requirements for accurate and timely clinical documentation and productivity standards.

The ideal candidate will be flexible, able to work under pressure, perform as a team player, possess strong communication and documentation skills and be familiar with evidence-based practices, recovery principles, and person-centered care.

Qualifications

Minimum:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a clinical discipline such as Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Art Therapy, or other directly related clinical discipline; and
Two years of experience providing behavioral health services.

Substitution: A Master’s degree may substitute for the experience requirement.

Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

Providing case management services to seriously mentally ill adults in an outpatient setting;
Providing services to clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders; and/or
Providing case management services to individuals experiencing high housing barriers.

Special Requirements

Licenses/Certifications: Meet the criteria of and register with the State as a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) within 60 days of hire (ref: QMHP - FAQs (Download PDF reader))

Driver's License: The applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain or provide a copy of their official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information. A pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check will also be completed before hire.

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.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. Hours may be flexible within normal business hours with some telework available upon approval by the supervisor.

Your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are considered part of the selection process. Please do not enter "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. A cover letter will also be required to be attached to your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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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Behavioral Health Specialist