Behavioral Health Specialist I
Dynamic counselor needed for an innovative co-occurring (substance abuse/mental health) Detoxification program for adults. Exciting opportunity for hands on clinical experience, professional development and potential for advancement in a progressive Fairfax County agency. Duties include facilitating admissions, monitoring clients, documentation, transporting clients, phone screenings, urine screens, crisis management and working on a multidisciplinary team.
This position is an awake overnight position. This position requires availability and flexibility with holiday coverage. All staff in the program are considered emergency services personnel.
Note: Multiple positions within the Community Services Board maybe filled from this recruitment.
To learn more about careers that make a difference, watch our video "CSB: Making a Difference in Our Community."
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 or a related field.
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) and maintained throughout employment with CSB.
- CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certified Substance Abuse Counselor or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant.
- Experience working as a counselor/therapist in a residential substance abuse or mental health treatment facility.
- Experience working as a counselor/therapist with adult clients who have co-occurring disorders.
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 sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
All staff in this program are considered emergency services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergency). Days, evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays may be required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to independently drive a minibus/van under 16 passengers and transport clients to activities. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs, perform CPR, administer First Aid, and maintain building security when alone on shift. Ability to use keyboard driven equipment. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include written 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 status as a veteran 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.