Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist (DOC)
Location: Washington, DC - D.C. Department of Corrections
Organization: Unity Health Care
Schedule: Full-Time
About Unity Health Care
Unity Health Care is the largest network of community health centers in Washington, D.C., dedicated to providing compassionate, culturally competent, and high-quality care to underserved communities throughout the District. Through integrated medical, behavioral health, and supportive services, Unity Health Care works to improve health outcomes, reduce barriers to care, and advance health equity for all patients.
Unity's Department of Corrections (DOC) Behavioral Health team provides trauma-informed, recovery-focused behavioral health services to justice-involved individuals within a fast-paced and collaborative correctional health environment.
Position Summary
Unity Health Care is seeking a Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist to support the delivery of evidence-based behavioral health services within the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC). This position plays a critical role in training, supporting, and providing clinical oversight to behavioral health clinicians while ensuring fidelity to evidence-based practices and quality standards of care.
The Behavioral Health Clinical Specialist will conduct assessments, support crisis intervention efforts, provide supervision and coaching to clinical staff, and collaborate closely with DOC leadership and multidisciplinary care teams to enhance behavioral health outcomes for incarcerated individuals.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver and support implementation of high-fidelity evidence-based practices (EBPs)
- Train, mentor, and support DOC clinical staff in behavioral health interventions and treatment models
- Co-lead therapeutic groups utilizing evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, TREM, IMR, WRAP, and TAMAR
- Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, including suicide risk assessments and crisis evaluations
- Develop individualized treatment plans and monitor patient progress
- Provide real-time clinical supervision, consultation, and fidelity monitoring across DOC units
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives and support clinical best practices
- Collaborate with DOC leadership and Unity behavioral health teams to promote recovery-focused care
- Assist clinicians in managing high-acuity behavioral health cases within the correctional environment
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, case reviews, and care coordination efforts
- Support behavioral health program development and staff training initiatives
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field
- Active, unrestricted DC license as a LICSW, LPC, or Psychologist required
- Minimum of six (6) years of psychotherapy experience working with at-risk or vulnerable populations
- Minimum of two (2) years of clinical supervision, training, or teaching experience
- Experience implementing evidence-based practices such as CBT, DBT, WRAP, IMR, TREM, TAMAR, SUD, and/or MAT programs
- Strong knowledge of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented behavioral health care
- Experience working in correctional, forensic, crisis, or other high-acuity behavioral health settings preferred
- Excellent communication, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
- Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekday and weekend rotations as needed
- Proficiency using Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and clinical documentation platforms
Why Join Us at DOC?
- Make a meaningful impact serving vulnerable and underserved populations within the correctional health system
- Work for a mission-driven organization committed to health equity and integrated care
- Potential eligibility for HRSA/National Health Service Corps (NHSC) loan repayment programs
- Collaborate within a multidisciplinary and supportive behavioral health environment
- Access opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and ongoing training
- Contribute to innovative, recovery-focused behavioral health initiatives in correctional care
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package