Mental Health Specialist

General Job Information

Applicants that have applied to JOB ID: 25339 do not need to reapply.

Job Summary

This position is located in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), Office of the Chief Clinical Officer (OCCO), Community Services Administration, Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). The incumbent serves as a Mental Health Specialist on a multidisciplinary team responsible for providing crisis services to persons actively threatening suicide or homicide and/or experiencing a psychotic episode, including those with co-occurring disorders. The incumbent is responsible for independently providing clinical services, including screening, assessment, treatment, prevention, consultation, and training.

Treatment involves the use of various therapeutic modalities including individual, family, and group counseling. Incumbent performs initial screenings and intake interviews to obtain as assessment of mental health status, medical, and family history. Obtains social histories through interviews with family members, interviews with clients and others, and through review of records and reports.

Assesses and evaluates problems of consumers and their families to determine the level of services and treatment needs, which includes the use of focused psychological or behavioral evaluations. Provides evaluations and assessments to determine the immediate mental health needs and the community based alternative placements as opposed to hospitalization.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement, all applicants must have successfully completed a four (4) year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences. In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the DS-09 level. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position to be filled which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Education

As a basic requirement, all applicants must have successfully completed a four (4) year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree which involved major study in an academic field related to health or allied sciences.

Licensures, Certifications and other Requirements

N/A

Area of Consideration

Open to the Public

Duration of Appointment: Career Service - Permanent

Number of Vacancies: One (1)

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position IS in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME 2095 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through an automatic payroll deduction.

Work Experience:

Professional knowledge and skill in providing a range of individual, family, and group therapeutic techniques and treatment interventions.

Work Environment:

There is potential for a high degree of hazard in working with emotionally disturbed consumers.

Tour of Duty: Rotating Shifts (May include weekends and holidays)

Residency Requirement:

A person applying for a position in the Career Service, Educational Service, Management Supervisory Service, a line attorney position in the Legal Service (series 905), or an attorney position in the Excepted Service (series 905) who is a bona fide District resident AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION for the position may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present proof of a non-expired DC Driver's License or Non-driver's license and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Position Designation: This position is deemed as "Safety Sensitive" pursuant to Section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying safety sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests:

• Criminal background check;

• Traffic record check (as applicable);

• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test;

• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;

• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test;

• Random drug and alcohol test; and

• Return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.

COVID-19 VACCINATION:

The Government of the District of Columbia values the safety of our employees, our residents, and our visitors. In support of these values, if you are selected for a job with the Government of the District of Columbia, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19, except when vaccination is not medically advised or violates your sincerely held religious beliefs. If you are invited to join our team, you must submit proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or you must request an exemption from your representative.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.