Psychiatric Nurse

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Psychiatric Nurse with the passion and desire to be part of a cohesive team which provides community-based services to the Arlington Community. This position will serve on the Assertive and Community Treatment (ACT) team. This grant-funded position will take part in providing crisis intervention, substance use treatment, intensive case management, and individual and group treatment services to adults who have a Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The employee will work under the direction of the team Psychiatrist and program manager and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team that provides services both out in the community and in a clinic setting.

Major Job Duties: 

• Overseeing medication administration and medical services provided to clients;
• Providing case management services, including development of treatment goals, education, and rehabilitation plans;
• Coordinating, scheduling, and administering medical assessments of clients’ physical health;
• Conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, including history, functioning, and service needs;
• Coordinating psychiatric treatment with medical providers and referring clients to community physicians for additional assessment and care;
• Performing ongoing assessments of activities of daily living (ADLs) and providing problem-solving, skill training, and supervision to support client independence;
• Providing side-by-side support and coaching to promote socialization; and
• Organizing and leading individual and group social and recreational activities to support skill development.

The ideal candidate will have strong communications skills and experience with sensitive information both orally and in writing; the ability to assess risk; and experience making decisions regarding critical issues of care.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university;
• Considerable experience providing nursing care in a psychiatric setting serving clients with mental health, substance abuse or developmental disabilities;
• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia or by endorsement from another state to practice professional nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
• Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Licensed Mental Health Provider (LMHP) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire.

Substitution(s): Education may be substituted by additional directly related experience on a year-for-year basis

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with a Master’s Degree in Nursing and/or experience in one or more of the following:

• Performing technical nursing procedures, administering treatment medications, and developing solutions to clinical operational concerns;
• ACT or similar experience providing community-based services; 
• Case management with the severely mentally ill population; 
• Participating on a multi-disciplinary team; and/or 
• Working with clients with dual diagnosis.

Special Requirements

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.

Professional License/Certifications: 

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia or by endorsement from another state to practice professional nursing in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and
• Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Professional- Adult (QMHP-A) or a Licensed Mental Health Provider (LMHP) per the Virginia Board of Counseling regulations within 60 days of hire.

Employment restrictions: To ensure that dual relationships are avoided and that employees who are also clients do not relate to their service provider as co-professionals, employees will not be hired by the County to provide or support services to the team or program in which they are current clients:

• You cannot concurrently receive behavioral health services from Arlington County Community Service Board (CSB) programs while employed in an Arlington County CSB program (exception Crisis Intervention services).
• At least 24 months must have passed between receipt of CSB services from Arlington County and employment in an Arlington County CSB program.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Primary working hours are Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additionally, there will be some rotating shifts, which could include 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekends, and holidays. Shifts may be flexible and adjusted as need arises, following prior discussion with the supervisor. Further information will be shared during the interview process.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

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