PATH Homeless Outreach Worker (Behavioral Health Specialist II)

$2,500 Sign-on Bonus*
This position works as a part of the Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) team. The 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. 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 to meet funding requirements.

Under clinical and administrative supervision, the PATH Homeless Outreach Worker'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.
• Once trained in 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.

• This position includes a $2500 signing bonus for new county merit employees or employees transferring from Fairfax County Public Schools.
• Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home - including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. A foreign language skills stipend of up to $1560/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 Licensed Nurse Practitioner.
• License/Certification Reimbursement - Reimbursement for job related licenses and/or certifications once per year.
• To find out more about the benefits of working with Fairfax County Government, please visit the CSB Careers Page.

(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.

(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.

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 90 days of appointment and annually thereafter;
• First Aid and 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 the equivalent in another State) maintained throughout employment with CSB;
• Qualified Mental Health Professional Adult (QMHP-A)- within 1 month of hire;
• Qualified Mental Health Case Manager (QMHCM)- within 1 month of hire.

• Experience working with homeless population.
• Experience with providing homeless outreach and engagement services in non-traditional settings.
• Experience conducting community outreach and engagement.
• Experience working with seriously mentally ill adults.
• Experience using HMIS and medical electronic health records.

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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