Full-Time

Director of Social Services

Behavioral Health Service Line

Updated on 9/4/2026

Deadline 6/10/27
VHC Health

VHC Health

1,001-5,000 employees

Not-for-profit health system with teaching hospital

Compensation Overview

$96.5k - $181.4k/yr

Arlington County, Arlington, VA, USA

In Person

Master's

Category
Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1)
Required Skills
Patient Care

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Requirements
  • A master's degree in social work, psychology, or counseling is required.
  • Three years of post-licensure experience in behavioral health is required.
  • Three years of post-licensure experience in substance abuse counseling is required.
  • Three years of behavioral health or substance abuse leadership experience is required.
  • A Virginia Department of Health Professions license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner is required.
  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of providing care to individuals who may be emotionally disturbed, socially dysfunctional, behaviorally disordered, suffer from mental illness or substance use disorders, and their families.
  • At least two years of experience working with American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria.
  • Thorough knowledge of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Virginia Office of Human Rights regulatory requirements.
  • Thorough knowledge of community resources and the human services network.
  • Thorough knowledge of community-based behavioral health principles and evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment techniques.
  • Thorough knowledge of counseling and crisis intervention theories and techniques.
  • Thorough knowledge of intake techniques and procedures.
  • Ability to evaluate and screen clients, prepare adequate records, and report findings and data effectively.
  • Ability to solve problems within the scope of responsibility.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, physicians, clients and their families, associates, community partners, medical personnel, law enforcement, state and federal agency representatives, and the general public.
Responsibilities
  • Manage Clinical Therapy services within the Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit, Recovery and Wellness Inpatient Unit, and Aftercare/Intensive Outpatient Services programs.
  • Develop patient care service goals, objectives, standards of performance, policies, and procedures.
  • Organize the department in accordance with the hospital's mission and vision to provide compliant Clinical Therapy services.
  • Ensure Behavioral Health Service Line programs and services meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Virginia Department of Healthcare Licensing, American Society of Addiction Medicine, and Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services requirements.
  • Evaluate proposed procedural changes related to patient care, direct their implementation, and ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Provide and manage individual and group counseling services for patients in the Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit, Recovery and Wellness Inpatient Unit, and Aftercare/Intensive Outpatient Services programs.
  • Manage all Licensed Clinical Therapists and the counseling program for employment purposes.
  • Supervise all non-licensed Therapists and Certified Substance Abuse Counselors for clinical purposes and manage them for employment purposes.
  • Assess and analyze emotional conditions, explore possible solutions, and develop and update treatment plans for mental and emotional adjustment or development.
  • Counsel, appraise, consult, supervise, administer, manage medications and changes when applicable, or make referrals within the scope of practice.
  • Engage in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and substance abuse disorders within applicable Virginia laws and regulations.
  • Provide training and supervision for students and registered counselor trainees within their scope of practice.
  • Provide supervision of all unlicensed Therapists and Certified Substance Abuse Counselors as required by the Virginia Department of Health Professions and document the supervision.
  • Manage clinical therapists and Certified Substance Abuse Counselors within budget.
  • Ensure programs and units under supervision meet productivity standards and remain within budget.
  • Work closely with the Finance department to ensure all patient days are covered.
  • Ensure all patient biopsychosocial assessments are completed timely according to policy.
  • Ensure treatment plan and treatment team requirements are updated and met, including quantifiable goals, timely reviews, and patient participation in treatment-plan development and changes.
  • Ensure all staff are trained and competent in suicide prevention and identification.
  • Monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of social and therapeutic services.
  • Participate in discharge planning, arrange follow-up care, and develop mechanisms for exchanging appropriate information with sources outside the hospital.
  • Ensure robust therapeutic and activities programs meet the regulations of each supervised program.

VHC Health is a not-for-profit health system in the Washington, DC area anchored by a 453-bed teaching hospital. It offers primary and specialty care and operates a Level II Trauma Center and Level III NICU, with a growing network to improve access. Care is delivered through hospitals and clinics using advanced technology and patient-centered practices, supported by teaching clinicians. The nonprofit emphasizes Magnet nursing, quality and safety, and community partnerships to improve health outcomes and well-being.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Akron, Ohio

Founded

1944

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The August 2026 $17.5 million Dewberry gift funds a new Arlington cancer center.
  • Tysons women’s health expansion opened February 24, widening suburban referral capture.
  • Forbes and U.S. News 2026 recognition strengthens hiring, referrals, and payer negotiating leverage.

What critics are saying

  • The June 2026 Xsolis phishing breach exposed Social Security numbers and diagnoses.
  • The 2028 cancer center depends on philanthropy, delaying ROI and execution accountability.
  • Northern Virginia competitors can attack VHC Health's outpatient growth before 2028 openings.

What makes VHC Health unique

  • Christopher Lane leads VHC Health since 2022, keeping strategy stable through 2026.
  • VHC Health ranks third in Virginia and Washington, D.C., per August 2026 U.S. News.
  • The Mayo Clinic Care Network and Magnet status signal stronger physician and nurse appeal.

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Benefits

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Company News

Becker's Hospital Review
Dec 8th, 2022
Hospital, health system rebrands of 2022

Arlington-based Virginia Hospital Center unveiled a new name and logo.

Informa TechTarget
Jun 2nd, 2022
Virginia Hospital Center recognized as 2021 Top Teaching Hospital on May 2nd 22'.

Virginia Hospital Center was recently designated a 2021 Top Teaching Hospital by The Leapfrog Group, selected for the Healthgrades 2021 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ and has received 19 consecutive ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group.

The Business Journals
Jan 19th, 2022
Virginia Hospital Center hires Christopher Lane as top executive

Christopher Lane has been named the new top executive of Virginia Hospital Center.

ARLnow
Oct 29th, 2021
Virginia Hospital Center expands offices to Arlington near Columbia Pike

Virginia Hospital Center has opened a new doctors’ office in south Arlington near Columbia Pike.