Job Announcement

The Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team is designed to deliver comprehensive and effective services to individuals who are diagnosed with severe mental illness and whose needs have not been well met by more traditional service delivery approaches. This position delivers community-based treatment as a member of an interdisciplinary team providing rehabilitation, clinical case management, crisis intervention and stabilization, support services, as well as supportive counseling to persons with serious and persistent mental illness. Determines clients' co-occurring treatment needs and takes the lead in identifying and developing targeted interventions to address those needs. Recovery-oriented services are provided via individual, side-by-side, family, and group modalities in mostly non-traditional community/outreach venues (e.g., unsheltered settings, homeless shelters, jails, hospitals, private homes, job sites, etc.).

Services are provided in partnership with individuals and their natural supports, in a variety of community settings with a strong emphasis on person centered planning, strength based approach to recovery, empowerment, self-determination, and independence. Knowledge of CSB, County and community resources, and ability to outreach and engage clients in both the office and community is necessary.

ACT is located in the Mount Vernon Area of Fairfax County at the Gartlan Center. Program hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. on weekends and holidays. This position may include on-call coverage and typically works one weekend every 4-5 weeks and one weekly P.M. shift (12:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.). The team coordinates holiday coverage on a rotating basis.

This position includes a signing bonus for new employees of $2,000 for full-time positions.

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.)

• Makes behavioral health diagnoses using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, International Classification of Diseases or other diagnostic tools as required;
• Maintains a diverse caseload of clients with a variety of substance use, developmental disabilities and/or mental illnesses;
• Develops client and/or family centered therapeutic treatment plans, with consideration given to the nature and severity of the behavioral health problem, family, cultural and employment related circumstances, legal involvement, individual and family histories, physical condition, and other pertinent factors;
• Implements therapeutic treatment plan under clinical supervision;
• Conducts independent behavioral health intakes and assessments;
• Provides individual, group, and/or family treatment under supervision;
• Collaborates with service professionals inside and outside of the Community Services Board;
• Adapts and modifies treatment interventions as indicated;
• Provides case management, outreach and engagement services as needed;
• Conducts wellness and health promotion services;
• Maintains all electronic health records according to federal, state and department regulations, ensuring that records of clients on their caseload are complete, accurate and comprehensive;
• Advocates on behalf of clients regarding rights and needed services;
• Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with representatives of community groups and public and private agencies;
• Assesses and monitors the impact of medication on client's functioning and consults with medical professionals as needed;
• Administers medication as ordered by a physician in accordance with department regulations;
• Provides crisis stabilization and crisis management with support and supervision as needed;
• Provides ongoing risk assessments for dangerousness to self and others with support and supervision as needed;
• Provides entry, navigation and/or referral services for individuals, families and other concerned persons;
• Prepares and administers behavioral health educational curricula;
• Testifies in court to regarding client's services, progress and recommendations as required.

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 behavioral health services and social development of the individual;
• Knowledge of evidence based behavioral health treatment methods;
• Knowledge of psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology, theories and practices;
• Knowledge of assessment processes, methods of gathering social history and interviewing techniques;
• Knowledge of existing public and private agencies and community resources;
• Ability to formulate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plan;
• Ability to perform behavioral health and risk assessments and apply evidence based/informed treatment approaches/modalities;
• Ability to manage a caseload;
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with clients;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private
• organizations, community groups, and the general public;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling or a related field, plus one year of clinical experience or bachelor's degree with current Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification plus one year of clinical experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement .

• Valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB;
• MANDT Certifications within six months of appointment and annually thereafter;
• First Aid and CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment;
• Medication Administration Assistance 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 check, a driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A 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 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 religious reasons will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Otherwise, vaccinated employees will complete the attestation online in the first day of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience delivering assertive community treatment services.
• Experience conducting community outreach and engagement efforts in non-traditional settings to seriously mentally ill individuals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to drive a car and conduct out of office visits in homes, hospitals, jails, shelters, or outdoors; communicate with clients & coworkers; observe and report on client appearance and behavior; sit, walk, stand & bend; make clinical interventions in unconventional treatment settings; operate keyboard driven computer equipment, tablet device; and enter/retrieve data on electronic health record. 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. EEO/AA/TTY.