Therapist I or II

About the Position

This position may be underfilled with a Therapist I grade 23

The expected salary range for a Therapist I at hire is $74,507 - $96,770
The expected salary range for a Therapist II at hire is $77,738 - $101,101
 

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meets the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

At the Adult Behavioral Health Program in Montgomery County, Maryland, we are dedicated to supporting the well-being of our community. We provide compassionate, comprehensive outpatient behavioral health services to Montgomery County residents, including psychiatric care, individual therapy, group therapy and office-based case management. Our experienced team is committed to creating a safe and supportive space where individuals can access the care they need to enhance their mental health and overall quality of life.

What You'll Be Doing

The Therapist position will:

Provide information, referral, and screening for human services problems with an emphasis on behavioral health problems and Substance use to telephone customers and for customers at Access to BHS intake points, including the Access main office, and field locations that may include but not limited to DOCR Pre-trial Services, Homeless Services locations, and Probation offices.

Provide screening, triage, behavioral health assessments (evaluations, psychosocial assessments, etc.) including service planning, brief interventions, individual therapy, case management, counseling, and referrals for treatment and other services. Using motivational interviewing techniques, assess readiness to change and identify barriers to entering treatment.

In collaboration with client and referral source(s) make appropriate referral with appropriate follow-up or case management to maximize client possibility of accessing needed treatment and related services to address major life problems.

Identify and coordinate interventions using a team of service providers and abiding by a written service plan. Provide similar clinical services by telephone or in collaborative meetings providing clinical consultation to clients and interested family and professionals.

As lead or duty worker, provide support to paraprofessional staff in the program or office suite and be available to respond to telephone or in-person customers needing information or urgent assistance.

Minimum Qualifications

Therapist I Level:  

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in clinical or counselling psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, nursing, or a related Behavioral science field. 

Experience: None 

Equivalency: None 

License Requirement: 

One of the following licenses, issued by the State of Maryland, must be held prior to appointment, and maintained by, the employee: 

Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW). 

Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC); or 

Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (LGMFT). 

Possession and maintenance at all times of a: Valid Class C (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence when required for job-related duties. 

Therapist II Level: 

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, nursing, or a related behavioral science field. 

Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience rendering therapeutic counseling, social work, nursing or psychology services, as pertinent to one’s professional licensing. 

Equivalency: None. 

LICENSE REQUIREMENT: 

One of the following licenses, issued by the State of Maryland, must be held prior to appointment of, and maintained by, the employee: 

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapy (LCMFT)

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)

Licensed Certified Social Worker/Clinical (LCSW-C)

Licensed Registered Nurse in the United States, certified as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the State of Maryland; or

Licensed Psychologist

Note: There will be no substitutions for this requirement.

Possession and maintenance of:

A valid Class C (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence when required for job-related duties.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

We will use interview preference criteria:

Ability to speak and understand Spanish.

At least six months full-time experience (or equivalent) in a setting including provision of diagnosis and treatment planning of individuals with mental health disorders and/or substance use disorders.

At least six months experience providing services to at least one of the following: severe and persistent mental illness, substance use disorders, homeless, or criminal offenders.

Demonstrated ability to provide accurate DSM-5 diagnosis and ASAM levels of care, psychosocial assessment and comprehensive treatment and service plans for individuals with serious mental health disorders and/or substance use disorders.

Demonstrated ability to work well and multi-task in a social service setting.