Behavioral Health Specialist I - Residential Treatment & Detox Services

Job Announcement

$2,500 Sign-On Bonus*

Dynamic counselor needed for innovative co-occurring (substance abuse/mental health) positions at residential substance abuse treatment programs. Exciting opportunity for hands on clinical experience, professional development, and potential advancement in a progressive Fairfax County agency. This position includes day, evening, overnight and weekend coverage, with the availability and flexibility for holiday coverage. Duties include providing counseling services, crisis intervention, facilitating psychoeducational groups, medication administration, milieu management, transporting individuals using a county vehicle, building and maintaining rapport with Fairfax County agencies as well as outside agencies. Assisting with completing and maintaining the electronic health record for residents. Obtain urine screens and breathalyzers as needed. Work on a multidisciplinary team.

All staff in this program are considered emergency services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies).

Here are some of the benefits CSB employees enjoy:

• *This position includes a signing bonus for fully qualified new merit county employees into the Behavioral Health Specialist II classification, in the amount of $2,500 (full-time).
• The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% 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.

Note: To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Providing Care."

Illustrative Duties

• 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

• 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.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid motor vehicle driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another state) maintained throughout employment with CSB.
• First Aid and CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment.
• Medication Administration Assistance (VA) - Certification within 90 days of appointment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry, a driving record check, and a sanctions screening to the satisfaction of the employer. TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification in Substance Abuse Counseling or BA degree in Social Work or related field.
• Two years' experience providing services to Substance Use dependent clients.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to drive a county vehicle and to climb stairs, walk, stand, and bend as needed to complete duties of the job. Ability to lift and carry up to 40 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; may include 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. EEO/AA/TTY.