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 I 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 I will be responsible for providing SW assessments and identifies discharge needs; providing PSR interventions and participates in developing and implementing individualized treatment plans; completing SW assessment within 7 days of admission; assessing discharge needs in collaboration with other team members; and ensuring that Discharge plans reflect a working knowledge of the forensic service delivery system and mental health law.

This position will also be responsible for providing the link between the WSH treatment team and consumers’ families, and other persons who support recovery; alerting families to critical events in collaboration with other team members; ensuring that Social work progress notes Social Work Progress Notes and Social Work Quarterly Clinical Process Notes reflect consumer, family/AR, counseling/education; providing clinical documentation per requirements and established time frames outlined by Joint Commission, CMS, and SW Department standards; and completing 10 hours of continuing education yearly (CME’s or other formal training, workshops). Completes annual mandatory training within required timeframes.

This position is eligible for:

- retirement with cash match
- life insurance
- paid time off
- health, vision, and dental 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
- Comprehensive social work theory and practice knowledge from an accredited degree program
- Knowledge of the functioning of hospital and community mental health systems
- Ability to form therapeutic relationships with consumers and their supports and effective partnerships with community service providers
- Demonstrated skills in interviewing, assessment, problem-solving, professional collaboration, and coordinating community and agency resources
- Knowledge of severe and persistent mental illnesses, forensic issues, person-centered treatment, and discharge planning, as well as community resources available to those with mental illnesses
- Knowledge of supervisory principles, performance planning, and evaluation
- Ability to work effectively in a setting in which interdisciplinary collaboration is highly valued
- Demonstrates behaviors that support the Mission and Values of Western State Hospital per the WSH Values of Communication, Excellent Service to Individuals, and Teamwork

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.