JOB DESCRIPTION
Forensic Clinician
Gateways CONREP San Diego County
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Forensic Clinician must have an MSW, MA, MS, Psy.D., or Ph.D. from an accredited university and be license eligible in the state of California. This position requires participation in individual and group supervision as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and/or the California Board of Psychology.
Gateways/San Diego County CONREP is an outpatient forensic treatment program designed to assist clients in their reintegration as they transition from higher levels of care, such as the Department of State Hospitals, while also mitigating their risk for recidivism.
The Forensic Clinician coordinates the implementation of a forensic treatment and supervision plan within the interdisciplinary team serving individuals committed as Guilty, but not Guilty by Reason of Insanity, Offenders with Mental Health Disorders, and those Incompetent to Stand Trial. The responsibilities of the position include providing required core services such as individual and group treatment, collateral contacts, crisis intervention, annual staffing, and case management services to an adult forensic population. The Forensic Clinician participates in all routine and emergent team meetings. In this role, the Forensic Clinician uses risk assessment tools to guide decision-making. The Forensic Clinician also generates court reports addressing clients’ progress and need for continued involuntary treatment, suitability for restoration to sanity, and need for placement in a locked setting. The Forensic Clinician also provides expert witness testimony as needed.
This position is an excellent opportunity for a professional seeking experience in a forensic mental health setting and to expand his/her skills in:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides core services to an assigned caseload, including individual, group, and family treatment (as indicated) in accordance with the level of care requirements.
- Provides collaterals and case management services in accordance with the level of care requirements.
- Assesses client’s risk of violence using risk assessment measures and incorporates these findings into decision-making and treatment/supervision plans.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the Penal Codes that guide the services provided in CONREP and incorporates that understanding into decision-making.
- Demonstrates sound judgment in making clinical and supervision by incorporating feedback, guidance, theory, and experience focused on maintaining community safety.
- Implements effective and relevant clinical interventions when delivering clinical care.
- Conducts a thorough review of clients’ records and maintains a working understanding of each client’s risk factors and course of treatment.
- Develops rapport with clients and fosters an environment supportive of treatment gains.
- Sets reasonable limits and boundaries with clients as indicated, maintaining an objective and professional relationship with clients at all times.
- Generates court reports and annual documentation in line with the program’s guidelines and expectations for each report.
- Generates documentation for re-hospitalizations as needed.
- Provides timely, accurate, and well-written documentation of all services rendered.
- Provides ongoing, clear, and timely updates, verbally and in writing, to relevant team members regarding clients’ treatment and supervision plans, as well as any changes in clients’ functioning.
- Completes and submits all required paperwork and updates logs in accordance with program guidelines.
- Works collaboratively with all members of the treatment team to facilitate excellent treatment and supervision for clients.
- Participates in all relevant in-service training meetings as scheduled.
- Productively participates in weekly individual and group supervision.
- Incorporates guidance and feedback in individual and group supervision, training sessions, and informal teaching moments to improve his/her skills.
- Maintains job interest and technical skills.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with referring CONREP programs.
- Works collaboratively and professionally with all attorneys, court officers, and law enforcement involved in clients’ cases.
- Effectively manages his/her time, prioritizing in accordance with guidance from supervisors.
- Responds appropriately under difficult or stressful circumstances.
- Performs other additional related tasks as assigned.
EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:
- Clinical experience in the provision of individual and group treatment for individuals with severe mental illnesses.
- Clinical treatment of both acute and chronic mentally ill populations in a forensic setting.
- A basic understanding of the assessment of the risk of violence.
- Integration of treatment and supervision in clinical work.
- Crisis Intervention.
- Preparation of written client evaluations and progress reports.
- A basic understanding of courtroom testimony.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
- Working knowledge of mental status examinations and current diagnostic manual.
- Knowledge of psychiatric mental health theories and practices.
- Individual and group treatment with clients who present a variety of psychopathologies.
- Ability to function as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team.
- Ability to accurately observe and document clients’ behaviors and treatment sessions.
- Ability to accurately assess statements and behaviors of clients for evidence of antisocial behavior with guidance.
- Ability to handle encounters with clients who may be unstable, angry, hostile, agitated, or intoxicated in an appropriate, effective, and sage manner.
- Crisis intervention for assessing and de-escalating aggressive/ assaultive behavior.
- Ability to work and relate effectively with community-based resources, attorneys, and law enforcement.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, both verbally and in writing. (For designated bilingual Spanish position only)
- Good writing skills.
- Ability to utilize feedback effectively.
- Computer skills (Ability to learn to effectively use the electronic health record and the Microsoft Office suite, as well as other programs implemented by the agency)
- Computer skills in word processing for creating and typing court reports or other related documents.
EDUCATION:
Minimum Education Required:
- Master's Degree in Psychology or related area (e.g. Social Work) from an accredited university.
Desired Education:
- Doctorate Degree in Psychology or related area from an accredited university.
REQUIREMENTS
- Eligible for licensure as an LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC in the State of California.
(license must be obtained within 3 years from the start of employment) or licensure as a Psychologist in the State of California (license must be obtained within 5 years from the start of employment).
- CPR Certification*
- Management of Aggressive Behavior (M.O.A.B.)*
- Must pass Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and CONREP background clearance.
- Must maintain a clear criminal record for continued employment eligibility
- TB clearance.
- California class C driver’s license
- Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways Hospital insurance carrier.
* Note: If indicated certifications/licenses are lacking, they must be obtained within 180 days of hire.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- To perform this job you must be able to carry out all essential functions successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.
- Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 20 pounds.
