Behavioral Health Specialist I at Fairfax County Government
Reston, VA
About the Job
Job Announcement
Works within the Supportive Community Residential Services Division. Provides support services and teaches independent living skills to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders (including substance abuse and intellectual disabilities), completes Medicaid and other billing documentation, provides community integration activities, and transports clients to activities in program vehicles. Forty-hour work schedule; shifts fall between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable working with clients in their homes and in the community. Office and client residences are located in Reston.
Here are some of additional benefits CSB employees enjoy:
Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, sociology, nursing, public health or a related field;
OR a bachelor’s degree and a valid Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to independently drive vehicles; climb stairs, walk, stand, and bend as needed to carry out job duties. Ability to lift and carry up to 15 lbs; observe client behavior/appearance; review and write progress notes in electronic health record (EHR) and staff log. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-AP1 .
Works within the Supportive Community Residential Services Division. Provides support services and teaches independent living skills to adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders (including substance abuse and intellectual disabilities), completes Medicaid and other billing documentation, provides community integration activities, and transports clients to activities in program vehicles. Forty-hour work schedule; shifts fall between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable working with clients in their homes and in the community. Office and client residences are located in Reston.
Here are some of additional benefits CSB employees enjoy:
- The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and CSB recognizes that staff competence speaking a variety of languages is necessary to meet client needs. We encourage candidate’s bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1,300/year (full-time) may be given for qualified bi-lingual employees.
- The CSB provides clinical supervision for employees who are registered as licensed eligible mental health in one of the following areas: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
- To find out more about the benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page.
Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
- Functions as an active member of a treatment team;
- Functions as a co-leader in groups;
- Assists with data gathering for needs assessment;
- Contributes to the development of individual service plans, with consideration given to the nature and severity of the behavioral health and psychosocial needs, individual strengths and preferences, and support systems;
- Makes interventions as outlined in the service plan;
- Brings forward timely information on individuals' progress and evolving needs to the treatment team;
- Provides individual supportive counseling and skill-building involving specific concerns;
- Conducts admission and orientation into the program/services;
- Provides individual and group psycho-educational sessions for clients, family members, and significant others;
- Maintains and updates information on community resources for individuals, families, and other concerned persons;
- Provides skill building to clients in developing and practicing daily living, recovery, and self-advocacy skills;
- Observes client behavior and provides de-escalation techniques;
- Maintains client records in accordance with state and department regulations;
- Maintains all appropriate program logs and information;
- Provides program coverage and supervises program activities;
- Transports and accompanies individuals to various appointments.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
- Knowledge of the principles, theories, and methods of the psychological and social development of individuals;
- Knowledge of substance use disorders and the physiological, psychological and social impacts;
- Knowledge of public and private community based resources;
- Knowledge of social history development and interviewing and treatment techniques appropriate for individuals with substance use and/or mental illness/ serious emotional disturbance (SED);
- Ability to recognize behavioral symptoms of mental illness/ serious emotional disturbance (SED) and substance use, and developmental disabilities;
- Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with clients;
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public;
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Ability to maintain records and prepare reports;
- Ability to assist with initial screening of the severity of individuals' substance use/mental health symptoms, treatment, and support needs.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, sociology, nursing, public health or a related field;
OR a bachelor’s degree and a valid Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
- First Aid and CPR certification, within 90 days of hire and maintained throughout CSB employment;
- MANDT Certifications within three (3) months of hire and annually thereafter;
- Medication Administration Assistance Certification within 90 days of hire;
- Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A)- within 1 month of hire;
- Valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience teaching independent living skills to individuals with a serious mental illness living in a community or residential setting,
- Current QMHP-A certification.
- Proficient computer literacy.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to independently drive vehicles; climb stairs, walk, stand, and bend as needed to carry out job duties. Ability to lift and carry up to 15 lbs; observe client behavior/appearance; review and write progress notes in electronic health record (EHR) and staff log. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-AP1 .
