Behavioral Health Specialist II- ACT Co-Occurring Disorder Specialist

Job Announcement This job opportunity is being re‑announced. Applicants who wish to revise their original application are encouraged to reapply with a revised application. Otherwise, all applicants who previously applied do not need to reapply to be considered.

$2,500 Sign‑On Bonus*

This position works within our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. It involves working with individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and/or co‑occurring substance use and mental health disorders who, due to the impact of their illness, are often reluctant to engage in services or have been unable to achieve recovery on their own. These individuals may experience homelessness, housing instability, involvements with law enforcement, neglect of medical needs, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, incarcerations, or emergency room visits.

The ideal candidate will have thorough knowledge of the treatment of substance use and behavioral health disorders, experience with available community resources such as medical, legal, mental health, and social services, and practical knowledge of treatment issues related to behavioral, emotional, and social problems, especially co‑occurring substance use dependency. Case management skills to help individuals secure resources, services, and supports are essential.

Selected Candidate Responsibilities

Utilize the Assertive Community Treatment Evidence‑Based model to provide intensive outreach and case management/clinical recovery coaching services for clients in the program;

Interview consumers to assess current status, history, strengths, areas for growth, stages of change, and preferences;

Provide supportive services to clients such as crisis intervention, counseling, problem solving, and wellness planning including medication psychoeducation;

Develop individual treatment plans with clients and provide case management/recovery coaching, attending to needs such as housing, family relationships, meaningful activities, day care, family planning, health care, financial management, education, training, and employment;

Locate, procure, coordinate, and monitor the delivery of necessary services for the client and/or their family;

Complete disability determination reports and assist clients with navigating access to entitlements and benefits;

Act as a liaison between substance abuse services, social services, mental health, housing, and shelters;

Provide advocacy for clients via the court system, social, employment and childcare services, and in securing housing;

Meet regularly with an interdisciplinary team to identify necessary services for clients;

Attend regular team meetings, relevant training sessions, and conferences;

Prepare reports and complete records of client and related family contact with the agency;

Perform related duties as assigned.

ACT South is based in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County at the Gartlan Center.

Program Hours and Coverage Program hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. This position is part of the team’s on‑call coverage rotation for a minimum of one week at a time. The position is required to work 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.

Benefits

*This position includes a signing bonus for new merit county employees into the Behavioral Health Senior Clinician classification, in the amount of $2,500 (full‑time).

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population. Candidates who are bilingual in English and another language are encouraged to apply.

The CSB provides clinical supervision for employees who are licensed as eligible mental health professionals 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.

Approved licensure supervisors may receive a stipend of $1,500 paid out biweekly over a 12‑month period for Department of Health licensure candidates.

License/Certification Reimbursement—reimbursement for job‑related licenses and/or certifications once per year.

For more information about benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page.

Illustrative Duties

Makes behavioral health diagnoses using DSM, ICD, or other diagnostic tools as required;

Maintains a diverse caseload of clients with various substance use, developmental disabilities and/or mental illnesses;

Develops client and/or family‑centered therapeutic treatment plans, considering severity, family, cultural and employment circumstances, legal involvement, histories, physical condition, and other 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 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 electronic health records per regulations, ensuring completeness and accuracy;

Advocates on behalf of clients regarding rights and needed services;

Develops and maintains cooperative relationships with community groups and agencies;

Assesses and monitors medication impact on client functioning and consults with medical professionals;

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 danger to self and others with support and supervision as needed;

Provides entry, navigation and/or referral services for individuals, families and concerned persons;

Prepares and administers behavioral health educational curricula;

Testifies in court regarding client services, progress and recommendations as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of behavioral health service principles, theories, and methods, and social development;

Knowledge of evidence‑based behavioral health treatment methods;

Knowledge of psychological, physiological and psychiatric terminology and practices;

Knowledge of assessment processes, gathering social history and interviewing techniques;

Knowledge of existing public and private agencies and community resources;

Ability to formulate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans;

Ability to perform behavioral health and risk assessments and apply evidence‑based/informed treatment approaches;

Ability to manage a caseload;

Ability to establish rapport and maintain effective client relationships;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, 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 1,500 hours of clinical experience;

OR a bachelor’s degree and a valid Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) certification plus 1,500 hours of clinical experience;

OR a master’s degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, or a related field plus 500 hours of clinical experience.

Certificates and Licenses Required:

MANDT Certifications within six months of appointment and annually thereafter;

CPR certification within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment;

Medication Administration Assistance Certification within 90 days of appointment;

Valid Motor Vehicle Driver’s license with fewer than six demerit points (or equivalent in another state) at time of appointment and maintained throughout employment with CSB.

Necessary Special Requirements:

Complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, driving record check, and sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.

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

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience working in an ACT team;

Experience performing community outreach and engagement to SMI adults;

Experience providing co‑occurring disorders services;

Experience providing intensive case management services;

Experience working with homeless individuals who are mentally ill.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to drive, conduct out‑of‑office visits, communicate with clients and coworkers, observe and report on client appearance and behavior, sit, walk, stand, bend, make clinical interventions in unconventional settings, operate computer equipment, 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. TTY 703‑222‑7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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