Behavioral Health Specialist I - Emergency Services & Crisis Care

Job Announcement

Seeking an energetic, flexible, and engaging mental health technician to work in a large multidisciplinary emergency services serving individuals with mental health/co-occurring disorders in psychiatric crisis. Must have strong communications and time-management skills, ability to work collaboratively across programs, agencies, and with the community to meet the needs of at risk seriously mental ill individuals and be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a program that provides specialized services such as assessment for temporary detention, evaluation for hospitalization, critical incident stress management, and short-term crisis intervention treatment. Must be able to work with individuals of all ages with a recovery-based orientation and able to provide support and direction regarding referrals and resources within Fairfax County and the community.

Here are some of additional benefits CSB employees enjoy:
 

• The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% 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.
• To find out more about the benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page.

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

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; OR a bachelor’s degree and a valid Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• First Aid and CPR certification, within 90 days of appointment and maintained throughout CSB employment;
• Valid Motor Vehicle Driver's license with fewer than six demerit points (or the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services Registry check, driving record check, and a sanction screening to the satisfaction of the employer. A TB screening upon hire and annually thereafter.
• Additional Work Schedule Requirements: Position requires shift work that includes some overnights, weekends, and holiday coverage.
• This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, social work or nursing.
• Minimum of two years of post-degree experience working with adults who suffer from serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders in an intensive treatment group home, hospital emergency department or psychiatric unit, community-based behavioral emergency services, and/or crisis stabilization setting.
• Certified by the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to climb stairs, walk, stand, and bend as needed to carry out job duties. Ability to lift and carry up to 15lbs. Ability to 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 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.