Counselor II

Western State Hospital; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Retirement with cash match

Life, vision, and dental insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA, is seeking a full-time Counselor II to develop person-centered treatment and discharge plans with consumers and the interdisciplinary team. This role links community agencies to support recovery and discharge planning across the care continuum.

The position requires an MSW or MSSW and experience with adults with serious mental illness. Eligible for paid time off, retirement with cash match, and comprehensive insurance benefits.

Qualifications

• MSW or MSSW required (CSWE accredited professional program)
• Professional work experience with adults with serious mental illness

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely social work assessments and identify discharge needs with the treatment team.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment and discharge plans.
• Provide psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) interventions to support discharge readiness.
• Collaborate with Community Services Boards and external agencies for recovery and discharge planning.
• Engage families and supports in education and discharge planning.
• Maintain high-quality, recovery-focused clinical documentation meeting standards.
• Communicate professionally with staff, consumers, and families.
• Participate in departmental and hospital-wide service planning and meetings.
• Pursue ongoing learning and mandatory training to enhance skills.
• Promote safety and professional, recovery-aligned practice.

Education

MSW, or MSSW required (CSWE accredited undergraduate or graduate social work program)

Job description

Title: Counselor II

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: $72,000 to $90,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital

103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview

Western State Hospital is seeking a full-time Counselor II to develop and implement person-centered treatment and discharge plans in collaboration with consumers and other interdisciplinary treatment team members and serve as a link between community agencies and others supporting consumer recovery. All WSH staff are considered essential, especially during emergencies or pandemics.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct timely social work assessments and identify discharge needs, completing required documentation within established timeframes and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Develop and implement individualized treatment and discharge plans, integrating recovery‑oriented principles and coordinating closely with consumers, families, CSBs, and the full treatment team.
• Provide psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) interventions, meeting minimum service requirements and supporting consumers’ clinical readiness for discharge through weekly team participation.
• Collaborate with Community Services Boards and external agencies, maintaining strong partnerships to support recovery needs, discharge planning, and adherence to DBHDS discharge protocols.
• Engage families and natural supports, with consumer consent, through education, involvement in treatment and discharge planning, and participation in family meetings to reinforce recovery goals.
• Maintain high‑quality documentation, producing clear, concise, recovery‑focused clinical notes that meet Joint Commission, CMS, and departmental standards for accuracy and timeliness.
• Communicate effectively with staff, consumers, and families, demonstrating professionalism, openness, responsiveness, and constructive problem‑solving to strengthen team cohesion and service quality.
• Participate in departmental, interagency, and hospital‑wide meetings, contributing to service planning, committee work, collaboration efforts, and mission‑driven initiatives.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development, completing required continuing education, annual mandatory training, and seeking opportunities to enhance clinical and recovery‑oriented skills.
• Promote a culture of safety and professionalism, promptly reporting safety concerns, adhering to hospital safety standards, and maintaining ethical, respectful, and recovery‑aligned social work practice.

This Position Is Eligible For

• paid time off; family/personal time; community service time; and sick time
• retirement with cash match
• life, vision, and dental insurance
• life insurance

Minimum Qualifications

• MSW, or MSSW required (graduation from a CSWE accredited undergraduate or graduate social work program)
• Professional work experience with adults with serious mental illness

Additional Considerations

• Experience in discharge planning
• Bilingual
• Veteran or veteran spouse

Background Investigation

All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre‑employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code

37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific (\"barrier\") crimes or those with pending \"barrier\" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference

DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note

Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.