Behavioral Health Therapist IV NICU

Job Description

Behavioral Health Therapist IV

Inova Integrated Behavioral Health is seeking a passionate and experienced Behavioral Health Therapist IV to join our dynamic Women's Behavioral Health team. This is a unique opportunity, the Behavioral Health Therapist IV will provide specialized therapeutic support to families with infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Women's Hospital perinatal units, ensuring comprehensive care and continuity. The Behavioral Health Therapist IV is an integral member of the Women's Behavioral Health Hospital Consult Team, providing specialized mental health support to patients and families across the Women's Hospital, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This role partners closely with physicians, nurses, psychologists, and multidisciplinary care teams to support women and families navigating high-risk medical, perinatal, and neonatal care. This full-time position offers a Monday-Friday day shift schedule (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), providing a stable and supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact every day.

Inova is consistently ranked a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience. We are also proud to be consistently recognized as a top employer in both the D.C. metro area and the nation.


Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and mental health screenings, integrating cultural, developmental, and clinical factors into individualized plans of care.
• Provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions, crisis support, and psychoeducation to patients and families coping with complex medical and emotional needs, including NICU-related stress and trauma.
• Deliver ongoing therapeutic support to families throughout hospitalization, with particular focus on NICU and high-risk perinatal populations.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, psychologists, and support staff to ensure coordinated, family-centered care.
• Facilitate and support psychoeducational and therapeutic support groups; contribute to the development of future peer-support and group-based programming.
• Provide care management and referral coordination to connect families with internal and community-based behavioral health and support resources.
• Maintain timely, accurate clinical documentation in Epic, including assessments, encounters, referrals, and caseload tracking.
• Serve as an ambassador for Behavioral Health within the NICU and Women's Hospital, identifying care gaps, reporting trends, and aligning initiatives with Women's Behavioral Health leadership.
• Collaborate with inpatient and outpatient Women's Behavioral Health teams to ensure continuity of care and smooth transitions across settings.
• Uphold Inova Health System's Culture of Safety and professional standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Master's Degree, Ph.D., PsyD, EdD in Mental Health, Social Work, Counseling, Substance Use Disorders or Behavioral Health related field.
• Experience : Five years of experience post licensure in mental health/substance use disorder treatment, psychoeducational programming including targeted, evidence-based interventions (crisis intervention, trauma, and integrative therapies).
• Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) - American Heart Association within 3 months of hire. Crisis Prevention Institute within 6 months of hire. CPI in-person training for non-violent crisis intervention, receive CPI blue card within 6 months of hire.
• Licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LCP), or Licensed Substance Abuse Professional (LSATP). Approved Clinical Supervisor Within 3 Months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience with perinatal health or bereavement care

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive bio/psycho/social assessments to diagnose mental health and substance use disorders.
• Develop individualized service plans, integrating cultural and clinical factors.
• Provide therapeutic interventions and psycho-educational programs for patients and families.
• Facilitate support groups and community outreach initiatives.
• Connect families to appropriate healthcare and community resources.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in patient charts.
• Collaborate with the Women's Behavioral Health teams for seamless care coordination.
• Act as an ambassador for Behavioral Health, promoting a professional culture.
• Attend team meetings to stay informed and connected with the WBH team.
• Perform administrative tasks and maintain referral and patient data.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
• Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a clinical setting, with NICU experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of mental health and substance use disorders.
• Excellent therapeutic and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in electronic health record systems, particularly Epic.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to diverse populations.
• Flexibility to adapt to a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Active participation in professional development activities.

About Us

We are Inova, Northern Virginia's leading nonprofit healthcare provider. Every day, our 26,000+ team members provide world-class healthcare to the communities we serve. Our people are the reason we're a national leader in healthcare safety, quality and patient experience. And from best-in-class facilities to professional development opportunities, we support them at every step. At Inova, we're constantly striving to be ever better - to shape a more compassionate future for healthcare.


Inova Health System is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions and lactation), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.