Human Services Specialist II

Bilingual School-Based Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter square miles in the city have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Human Services Specialist II position.

An Overview

The Human Services Specialists II will partner with high needs youth and their families, natural supports and professional team in youth-led, family-driven, culturally-relevant and evidence-based services, to include outreach, supportive counseling, early intervention services, linkage, advocacy, intensive care coordination, collaboration and integration of services in support of treatment plans. Identified youth are often referred by schools, human services agencies, or the court system and may be at risk of placement outside the home (i.e. foster care, psychiatric hospital, detention, or residential treatment) or be preparing for return to the community or may be aging into the adult behavioral health care system (transitional youth). QMHP embraces System of Care values in effort to prevent out of home placement and is committed to racial equity and strives to ensure services are responsive to the impact of generational trauma. Services are primarily provided in a secondary school setting, as well as in homes, a community mental health center and virtually. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate will p artner with high needs youth and their families, natural supports and professional team in youth-led, family-driven, culturally-relevant and evidence-based services, to include outreach, supportive counseling, early intervention services, linkage, advocacy, intensive care coordination, collaboration and integration of services in support of treatment plans. Identified youth are often referred by schools, human services agencies, or the court system and may be at risk of placement outside the home (i.e. foster care, psychiatric hospital, detention, or residential treatment) or be preparing for return to the community or may be aging into the adult behavioral health care system (transitional youth). QMHP embraces System of Care values in effort to prevent out of home placement and is committed to racial equity and strives to ensure services are responsive to the impact of generational trauma. Services are primarily provided in a secondary school setting, as well as in homes, a community mental health center and virtually. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures.

The Opportunity

• Partner with families and youth to build and expand natural support systems and skills, advocate for needs, and navigate the system of services and their families;
  
• Partner with school personnel and colleagues from other youth serving agencies within the school setting on mental health early intervention services;
  
• Provide assessment, individual and family supportive counseling, and care during acute crisis under supervision;
  
• Provide range of intake related services, i.e. engage families in administrative intake, provide interpretation, triage intake calls, provide regular outreach and resource linkage with families who are waiting for treatment appointments;
  
• Participate in school re-entry and treatment team meetings that include youth, parent/guardian, natural supports and service providers;
  
• Collaborate closely with other agencies including but not limited to Alexandria City Public Schools, Child Welfare, Court Service Unit, and FAPT;
  
• Provide a variety of auxiliary services in support of service plan, i.e., attend psychiatric appointments with family, supervise therapeutic visits between parent and child, transport youths and families when other resources are not available, obtain records in support of treatment plan, and provide testimony in court cases;
  
• Maintain electronic medical records in accordance with accreditation body, Department policies, licensing and Medicaid regulations;
  
• Follow department policies and procedures, including those related to productivity expectations, client payment issues and training;
  
• Perform related work as required.
  

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's Degree inpsychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; Threeyears of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abusetreatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; orany equivalent combination of experience and training which provides therequired knowledge, skills and abilities. Must have a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Two years of experience in a mental health or substance abuse setting working with youth with serious behavioral health challenges and their families; One year of experience providing case management services such as coordination of services, supportive counseling, assessment and advocacy; One year of experience engaging community resources, including but not limited to medical, mental health, legal, educational social and supplemental services; One year of experience practicing System of Care principles - family driven, youth guided, individualized and community based, culturally & linguistically competent & evidence-based: and experience with electronic health records. Ability to work some evenings and occasional weekends; Meet criteria to become a Qualified Mental Health Professional-Child (QMHP-C) and Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A) for billing purposes - this includes at least a bachelor's degree in a human services field or in special education from an accredited college with at least one year of clinical experience with children and adolescents and at least one year of clinical experience with adults; Fluent and bilingual in English/Spanish, Amharic or Arabic to meet the needs of population served.

Notes

This position requires thesuccessful completion of pre-employment background checks including but notlimited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry;Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver’slicense.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, some evenings.