Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist-DOC

Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist (DOC)

Location: Washington, DC - D.C. Department of Corrections
Organization: Unity Health Care
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Loan Repayment: HRSA/National Health Service Corps (NHSC) potentially eligible

About Unity Health Care

Unity Health Care is the largest network of community health centers in Washington, D.C., dedicated to delivering compassionate, culturally competent, and patient-centered healthcare services to underserved communities throughout the District. Through integrated medical, behavioral health, and supportive services, Unity Health Care advances health equity while improving access to comprehensive whole-person care.

Unity's Department of Corrections (DOC) Behavioral Health team provides trauma-informed, recovery-focused care to justice-involved individuals within a collaborative correctional healthcare environment committed to improving behavioral health outcomes and continuity of care.

Position Summary

Unity Health Care is seeking a Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist to join our Behavioral Health team at the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC). This role is critical in supporting the delivery of trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral health services to justice-involved individuals within a secure correctional setting.

The Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist will provide clinical leadership, training, and support to behavioral health clinicians while conducting assessments, supporting crisis intervention efforts, and ensuring fidelity to evidence-based treatment models and quality standards of care. This position collaborates closely with DOC leadership and interdisciplinary teams to support recovery-focused behavioral healthcare services.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver and support implementation of high-fidelity evidence-based practices (EBPs)
• Train and mentor DOC clinical staff in behavioral health treatment models and interventions
• Co-lead therapeutic groups utilizing models such as CBT, DBT, TREM, IMR, WRAP, TAMAR, and SUD/MAT interventions
• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, suicide risk evaluations, and crisis intervention assessments
• Develop individualized treatment plans and monitor patient progress
• Provide real-time clinical supervision, consultation, and fidelity monitoring across DOC behavioral health units
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and support clinical best practices
• Collaborate with DOC leadership and Unity behavioral health teams to support recovery-focused and patient-centered care
• Assist clinicians with management of high-acuity behavioral health cases within the correctional setting
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, trainings, and care coordination efforts
• Support behavioral health program development, staff training, and operational improvement initiatives

Minimum Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted DC license as a LICSW, LPC, or Psychologist required
• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field required
• Minimum of six (6) years of psychotherapy experience working with at-risk or vulnerable populations required
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical supervision, training, or teaching experience required
• Experience implementing evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, WRAP, IMR, TREM, TAMAR, SUD, and/or MAT programs required
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented behavioral health care
• Experience working within correctional, forensic, crisis, or high-acuity behavioral health settings preferred
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
• Ability to work weekday and weekend rotations as needed
• Commitment to serving underserved and justice-involved populations

Why Join Unity?

• Be part of a mission-driven organization serving vulnerable and underserved communities throughout Washington, DC
• Eligible providers may qualify for HRSA/NHSC Loan Repayment opportunities
• Work within a dynamic, supportive, and multidisciplinary behavioral health environment
• Collaborate with experienced clinical leaders and interdisciplinary healthcare teams
• Participate in innovative, recovery-focused behavioral health initiatives within the correctional healthcare system
• Access opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and ongoing training
• Enjoy competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package while making a meaningful impact on behavioral healthcare outcomes