Counselor I

Title: Counselor I

State Role Title: 49011

Hiring Range: starting at $58,735 (commensurate based on experience)

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Western State Hospital is seeking a full time Counselor who will develop and implement person-centered treatment and discharge plans in collaboration with consumers and other interdisciplinary treatment team members and serve as a link between community agencies and others supporting consumer recovery. The Counselor will complete SW assessment within 7 days of admission; assess discharge needs in collaboration with other team members; complete clinical readiness for discharge ratings and sends EBL notifications within 24 hours of addition to the list; provide minimum required PSR interventions (generally 1- 2 hours/weekly); and ensure that discharge plans reflect a working knowledge of the forensic service delivery system and mental health law.

The Counselor will also meet with CSB liaisons to discuss discharge and recovery needs; notify CSB staff of treatment planning conferences; participate in interagency SW-Liaison staff meetings and attends Regional Census Meeting monthly; with consumer consent, involves families and others in assessment, treatment, and discharge planning; provide education to families and significant others; conduct family meetings with the collaboration of other team members; and provide clinical documentation per requirements and established time frames outlined by Joint Commission, CMS, and SW Department standards.

This position is eligible for:

- retirement with cash match
- paid time off; sick time; family/personal time; community service time
- health, vision, and dental insurance
- life insurance

Minimum Qualifications

- BSW required (graduation from a CSWE accredited undergraduate or graduate social work program)
- Professional work experience with adults with serious mental illness

Additional Considerations

- Experience in discharge planning
- Veteran or veteran spouse
- Bilingual

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The successful applicant must pass a criminal background investigation, drug screening test and employment reference check. The applicant must have the ability to perform at the level of physical demands noted on the Employee Work Profile and the verified ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800- 552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

DBHDS is a healthcare organization and must comply with the federal CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care staff Vaccination Regulation which requires all employees to be vaccinated or receive an exemption. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. New staff who are not vaccinated for any reason or choose not to disclose their vaccination status, will need to request a medical or religious accommodation. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: 540-332-8306

Email: samantha.leep@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.