Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) (Bilingual)

Please Note: This position includes a $2,500 gross signing bonus at hire and a $2,500 gross bonus upon 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.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a bilingual (English/Spanish) Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) with experience working with older adults to join our team! The Senior Adult Mental Health (SAMH) Program, part of the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD), serves Arlington residents aged 60 and older with serious mental health conditions, as well as adults with developmental disabilities. The SAMH team includes licensed mental health professionals, a clinical nurse, psychiatrists, and a program manager, and takes a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach that addresses co-occurring disorders.

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

Major Job Duties: 

• Providing evidence-based therapy, such as CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Reminiscence Therapy, to adults 60 and older with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or dementia with behavioral disturbances, many of whom have co-occurring substance use disorders, complex medical conditions, or histories of trauma;
• Carrying a full bilingual (English/Spanish) caseload, at least half of which consists of clients who speak only Spanish;
• Providing case management that connects older adults with complex support needs to internal and external resources;
• Conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments and co-developing treatment plans with clients that promote autonomy, safety, and community engagement;
• Assessing client progress regularly and modifying treatment plans as needed;
• Providing crisis intervention and facilitating psychiatric admissions as needed;
• Collaborating with SAMH psychiatry and nursing staff, other DHS programs, community organizations, behavioral health and health care providers, and caregivers to address clients’ needs;
• Delivering services in the office, virtually, in the community, and in residential settings;
• Meeting DHS-CSB clinical documentation and productivity standards; and
• Participating in division, department, or countywide committees and task forces as directed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Completion of the requirements for a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in counseling, psychiatric social work, psychology, art therapy, or a directly related clinical discipline, with internship and practicum requirements specified by the Virginia Department of Health Professions;
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Therapists may be hired at one of the following levels:

Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed): Licensure at time of hire by the appropriate board of the Virginia Department of Health Professions in the employee’s discipline (LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW);

Behavioral Health Therapist (Non-VA Licensed): Licensure in another jurisdiction at time of hire, with Virginia licensure in the employee’s discipline (LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) obtained within 90 days of hire; and

Behavioral Health (Resident/Supervisee): Within 90 days of hire, a temporary license as a Resident in Counseling (for LPC or LMFT) or Resident in Clinical Psychology (for LCP), or registration as a Supervisee in Social Work (for LCSW), with the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Full licensure must be obtained within three years of hire.

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

• Providing case management and therapy services to adults with serious mental illness;
• Serving older adults with complex medical conditions or cognitive decline;
• Delivering clinical services to culturally and ethnically diverse populations; and/or
• Providing behavioral health services in institutional or long-term care settings.

Special Requirements

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.

Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, or be able and willing to use alternative transportation to perform duties at locations other than the primary worksite. License holders must provide, or authorize Arlington County to obtain, a copy of their official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the driving record.

Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume and make sure your application reflects the experience and qualifications it describes.

Bilingual: An assessment of oral Spanish proficiency will be required before a candidate can be appointed to a bilingual position (English/Spanish). The incumbent in a bilingual position will receive the language pay premium on all hours worked and on paid leave hours.  

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.

As a condition of employment, employees must maintain required professional licensure and promptly notify the appropriate County representatives of any loss, suspension, or expiration of licensure. 

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: Monday through Friday, generally 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or as established by program needs, including occasional evening hours. Work is performed at the Department of Human Services office and in community settings. The schedule and work location are subject to change based on program and client needs. 

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

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

This recruitment is open until filled.

This recruitment may be used to fill similar future vacancies, some of which may require bilingual (English/Spanish) proficiency.

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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