MOBILE OUTREACH SUPPORT TEAM (MOST) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THERAPIST (LICENSED) (LIMITED TERM)

Effective June 30, 2024: 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. Arlington County’s Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Limited Term Behavioral Health Therapist (Licensed) for the Arlington County Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST) within the Client Services Entry team. As part of a team that provides mobile outreach to the community, this position responds to urgent/crisis behavioral health needs in the community to include conducting welfare checks, partnering with the police and first responders to divert people from arrest and/or hospitalization when appropriate, and conducting outreach to people in need. Specific duties include:

• Responding to calls from first responders to assess needs, de-escalate and make referrals;
• Working with Emergency Services, Path Forward, New Hope Housing, Police, Fire/EMS, ECC, TOW and other partners as needed to identify people in need and to coordinate services;
• Engaging with people who may be in distress, assessing their needs and determining a plan for stability;
• Conducting welfare checks for people connected to Behavioral Health services in the county as well as referrals from first responders;
• Assisting in the implementation and expansion of the MOST program;
• Managing information about participants of MOST to ensure that all contacts are recorded;
• Assisting the Program Manager with generating and maintaining accurate program specific statistical data; and
• Utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and various software such as electronic health records to document cases and interactions.

The ideal candidate is patient, calm, organized, understanding, inquisitive and is a leader that cares about making a positive interaction within their community as well as within their team. They will have experience and the capability to adapt to changing situations every day and will be able to encourage out-of-the box solutions to a multitude of problems as they arise. 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.

Selection Criteria

Minimum: 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. Licenses/Certifications: Licensure by the appropriate board of the Virginia Department of Health Professions, appropriate to the employee’s discipline (e.g. LPC, LCP, LMFT, or LCSW) at time of employment. Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• Knowledge of solution focused crisis counseling, the Stages of Change Model, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma informed care; and/or
• Bilingual verbal ability in English and Spanish.

Special Requirements

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

The pay ranges listed above are effective June 30, 2024. Work Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday with some flexibility and differing hours depending on programmatic need. Work is performed as part of 24/7 operation and the worker must be able to work shifts as necessary, including after-hours and during emergency situations as necessary.