Behavioral Health Specialist II - PATH Homeless Outreach Worker

Job Announcement

$2,500 Sign-on Bonus*
The Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) team provides outreach and engagement services to vulnerable Fairfax County residents who are mentally ill, homeless, and not adequately connected to needed services. The team assists unsheltered and chronically homeless adults by providing the support, resources, and case management services needed to help them get housed and receive the psychiatric and medical care they need. PATH is in search of a candidate willing to take on the challenge of working with an extremely vulnerable, often underserved, and marginalized population. The PATH Homeless Outreach Specialist's goal will be to make a meaningful impact on clients' lives by helping to secure housing, beginning a path to recovery, and promoting overall wellness. This position is also assigned to be a Super User of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for the purpose of entering and maintaining accurate program data, per funding requirements.

Under clinical and administrative supervision, the PATH Homeless Outreach Specialist's primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Outreach homeless individuals by vehicle and by foot in a variety of settings, including campsites in wooded areas, abandoned buildings, public sidewalks, metro stations, libraries, businesses, bus stops, and other non-traditional settings in collaboration with PATH teammates and community homeless outreach partners to attempt to enroll in services.
• Obtain appropriate documents for identification and/or the purpose of securing needed services and resources such as SSI/SSDI, general relief, insurance, food stamps, medical care, and housing.
• Once linked to services/resources the PATH Homeless Outreach Worker can transport or coordinate transportation for individuals to attend scheduled follow up appointments.
• Work jointly with PATH teammates to provide engagement, case management, skills building, and supportive counseling services to individuals attending homeless drop-in sites or residing in emergency and hypothermia shelters.
• Provide supportive services as needed during PATH's homeless drop-in group at Gartlan Center twice weekly by assisting individuals obtain basic clothing, meals, access to laundry facilities and showers, and case management supports.
• Partner and collaborate with internal and community partners who provide services and care to homeless, mentally ill individuals (e.g.: shelters, hospitals, jails, health department, police department, local businesses, libraries, local elected officials, landlords, SSA, food banks, and housing authority).
• Provide direct support to assist individuals improve or develop skills to address personal hygiene, community functioning, safely stop or reduce substance use, harm reduction, medication management, crisis prevention, and personal safety.
• Once trained in the homeless management information system (HMIS), Super User duties include:
  • Entering program data into HMIS.
  • Running monthly data quality reports.
  • Identifying data quality errors.
  • Collaborating with program staff and management to resolve data quality errors.
  • Re-running data quality reports to ensure errors are resolved.
  • Providing ongoing technical assistance to program staff.
  • Submitting data reports to management as requested.

The individual selected for the position must be able to drive a car, be able to document services rendered in an electronic health record, share information with team mates, have the willingness and ability to engage difficult to engage individuals, be able to work as part of a team or autonomously, be accepting of changing priorities requiring flexibility in scheduling, and be comfortable working with homeless individuals suffering from a serious mental illness, many with co-occurring substance use disorders and medical issues.
Work hours for this position will vary between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday, with some evening hours during hypothermia season. Work schedule will be determined and finalized at time of hire.

The CSB strives to create a work environment that facilitates professional growth by broadening your skill base with extensive training and development, modeling best practices in employee relations, employee recognition programs and advancement opportunities along with providing a highly competitive wage and benefits package. Since 1969, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has served individuals of all ages who have mental illness, substance use disorders, serious emotional and/or developmental disabilities. Our vision, aligned with the goals of One Fairfax, is that everyone in our community has the support needed to live a healthy, fulfilling life. Fairfax County is a dynamic and diverse community spanning over 400 square miles. With over 1.2 million residents, Fairfax County is the most populous jurisdiction in Virginia. Operating as part of Fairfax County government's human services system the CSB provides a wide array of services offering opportunities for career growth and advancement.

Here are some of additional benefits CSB employees enjoy:

• *This position includes a signing bonus for new merit county employees in the amount of $2,500 (full-time).
• The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% 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.
• In addition, to recognize and reinforce the importance of professional development and enhance future recruitment of licensed professionals, if approved, the licensure supervisors will receive a stipend of $1,500 paid out biweekly over a 12-month period whether for one or more Department of Health licensure candidates.
• Service provisions are based on client and program need. Some positions offer services via telehealth for non-acute services. Other positions may offer limited opportunities for telework. Teleworking options may vary by service area.
• 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." 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 1,500 hours of clinical experience;
OR a bachelor's degree and a valid QMHP 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 90 days of appointment and annually thereafter;
• 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.
• Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult (QMHP-A)-Required within 1 month of hire
• Qualified Mental Health Case Manager (QMHCM)-Required within 1 month of hire
  
  

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience working with homeless and mentally ill adults and delivering outreach, engagement, and case management services in the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate effectively with community stakeholders, clients, clients' supports, and coworkers in a professional and courteous manner; observe and report on client appearance and behavior; sit, walk, stand, and bend; make clinical assessments and interventions in unconventional treatment settings; operate keyboard driven computer equipment, enter/retrieve data on electronic health records and program specific databases; and operate basic office equipment such as fax/copy/scanner machines. Ability to drive a car and conduct community outreach activities subject to outside environmental conditions that often involve moderate physical activity and engaging with clients in non-traditional settings such as tent encampments, heavily wooded areas, abandoned buildings, etc. 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.

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