Human Services Clinician II (Adult Protective Services/Adult Services))

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.

With the vision to create a just and equitable community that is healthy, safe, economically secure, and free of systemic racism, the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is recruiting for a Human Services Clinician in the Adult Protective Services (APS)/Adult Services (AS) units to provide care coordination and supportive services to adults aged 60 years and older and adults aged 18 years and older with a permanent disability. 

ADSD is part of an integrated social and wellness model, connecting customers to wrap around supportive services including adult protective services, adult social services, home-based nursing case management, in-home services, Medicare counseling, senior adult mental health, and volunteer guardianship. The population served is culturally and ethnically diverse. To learn more about our services, please visit ADSD.

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs. 

Adult Protective Services (APS) and Adult Services (AS) workers offer home and community-based case management to: (1) ensure the safety of vulnerable and older adults; (2) prevent inappropriate institutionalization; (3) assess and assist with appropriate institutional placements; and (4) assist individuals maximize self-sufficiency. 

Specific Duties Include:

• Conducts investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation by conducting home visits, interviewing involved parties and making dispositions;
• Completes face to face visits with clients within specific timeframes, coordinates home and community-based services and collaborates with others to assess risk and improve the health and safety of clients;
• Performs comprehensive assessments using the Virginia Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) to assess physical and mental health, cognitive functioning, financial situation, and formal/informal support systems;
• In collaboration with the client, develops a person-centered, trauma informed, solution focused care plans to prevent/reduce abuse, neglect, or exploitation; 
• Works with multidisciplinary teams to remedy unmet needs and reduce behavior patterns of risk, crisis stabilization, and solicit family/caregiver cooperation in care planning;
• Maintains a caseload of clients who meet the DARS services guidelines and who are at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation;
• Evaluates and assesses clients at risk of abuse neglect and exploitation and implement care plans to improve the safety of these clients;
• Evaluates the progress of care plan objectives outlined, modify the plan as needed, and close case when objectives are achieved; 
• Completes and participates in court processes, including but not limited to guardianship/conservatorship hearings;
• Offers alternatives to living environment if necessary and when appropriate, that may include placement of the adult client in an alternative living environment or long-term care residence; 
• Ensures effective and timely documentation of all case notes and records; and
• Maintains electronic case records in compliance with applicable clinical and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate will be a clinically proven team player who brings a passion for working with older adults with a strength-based and person-centered approach in human services delivery.

Minimums:

• Master's Degree in Human Services, Counseling, Psychology, or other directly related clinical discipline, all of which required a practicum prior to graduation involving case management services and/or treatment services; and 
• Two years of post-master’s degree experience providing professional clinical human services to older adults, which included the application of case management services and/or treatment services. 

Substitution: A directly related higher level clinical degree may substitute for the master’s degree education requirement and one year of professional clinical social work experience to older adults. 

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Providing services to persons with disabilities, older adults (60+), and their families;
• Experience in Adult Services, APS, individuals with SMI and/or experiencing homelessness, or other case management practice;
• Collaborating with Courts and the legal system when providing services;
• Working with individuals from diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds;
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (LMHP), or other similar licensure from Virginia or from a State which is transferrable to Virginia.  

Special Requirements

Applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or 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. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent on a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

A background check and State of Virginia Child Welfare and Neglect Central Registry may be conducted on all candidates who are finalists for the position. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit check and may require signing a release authorizing the County to obtain this information.

The position will require travel primarily in Arlington County.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Limited telework and remote working will be permitted in accordance with job duties. 

Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the application process and are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.