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Full Time Forensic Psychologist Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Activities Therapist

Butner, NC · On-site

$19.78 - $28.12/hr

As part of a large, interdisciplinary team including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers ... UNCH YBH Recreational Therapy Work Type: Full Time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 Salary Range: $19 ...

New

Full Time Forensic Psychologist information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$39.9K

$85.4K

$133.2K

How much do full time forensic psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time forensic psychologist in Raleigh, NC is $85,423.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,900.00 and $107,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Forensic Psychologist vs Clinical Psychologist?

AspectFull Time Forensic PsychologistClinical Psychologist
CredentialsDoctoral degree in psychology, licensure, specialized training in forensic settingsDoctoral degree in psychology, licensure, clinical training
Work EnvironmentCourts, correctional facilities, law enforcement agenciesHospitals, mental health clinics, private practices
Employer & IndustryLegal and criminal justice sectorsHealthcare and mental health sectors
Common Search/ComparisonYesNo

Full Time Forensic Psychologists primarily work within the criminal justice system, focusing on legal evaluations and assessments. Clinical Psychologists typically work in healthcare settings, providing therapy and mental health treatment. While both roles require similar credentials, their work environments and industry focus differ significantly.

Is there a shortage of full time forensic psychologists?

Full-time forensic psychologists are in higher demand due to increasing needs in criminal justice, mental health evaluations, and legal settings. While shortages can vary by region, the profession generally experiences growth, and qualified psychologists with specialized training and licensure are sought after.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time forensic psychologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Forensic Psychologist, you need advanced knowledge of psychology, criminology, and legal processes, typically supported by a doctoral degree in psychology and state licensure. Familiarity with assessment tools, psychological testing instruments, and legal documentation systems is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and clear communication are standout soft skills in this position. These skills are essential for effectively evaluating individuals, providing expert testimony, and supporting the justice system with accurate, unbiased psychological insights.

Is there a high demand for full time forensic psychologists?

Full-time forensic psychologists are in steady demand due to the growing need for mental health assessments, evaluations, and expert testimony in legal and criminal justice settings. Employment opportunities are often available in correctional facilities, courts, and law enforcement agencies, with a requirement for relevant licensure and specialized training.

What types of interdisciplinary collaboration can I expect as a full time forensic psychologist?

As a full-time forensic psychologist, you will frequently collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, including law enforcement officers, attorneys, social workers, and medical staff. Much of your work involves contributing psychological expertise to legal cases, which means regularly attending meetings, providing expert testimony in court, and sharing assessments with legal teams. This interdisciplinary environment requires strong communication skills and the ability to translate psychological findings into terms that are accessible to non-psychologists. Building effective working relationships with other professionals is essential for both case outcomes and your own career development.

Where do full time forensic psychologists make the most money?

Full-time forensic psychologists tend to earn the highest salaries in regions with a high cost of living and strong healthcare or legal sectors, such as major metropolitan areas. Salaries are also influenced by experience, specialization, and certifications, with those working in correctional facilities, hospitals, or private practice often earning more. Geographic location, combined with industry demand, significantly impacts earning potential for forensic psychologists.

What is a full time forensic psychologist?

Full time forensic psychologists are professionals who apply psychological principles and expertise within the legal and criminal justice systems. They assess individuals involved in legal cases, provide expert testimony in court, and help law enforcement agencies with criminal profiling, competency evaluations, and risk assessments. Their work often includes interviewing defendants, victims, or witnesses, preparing reports, and collaborating with attorneys, judges, and law enforcement. Full time forensic psychologists typically work for government agencies, private practices, or as consultants, and they play a crucial role in ensuring fair and informed legal proceedings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Psychologist jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Forensic Psychologist jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Full Time Forensic Psychologist jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Full Time Forensic Psychologist job openings:

Infographic showing various Full Time Forensic Psychologist job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,423 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

Activities Therapist

UNC HEALTH

Butner, NC • On-site

$19.78 - $28.12/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Youth Behavioral Health Hospital (YBH) is a 54-bed, 24-hour locked psychiatric facility located in Butner, North Carolina. YBH provides specialized care through four units serving children, adolescents, and young adults ages 10-21 with mental health diagnoses, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, and complex behaviors. The facility's philosophy is grounded in a trauma-informed, milieu-based approach that ensures a safe, therapeutic setting. YBH serves patients with complex histories, including aggression and psychosis, focusing on safety while promoting positive coping skills, healthy living, and engaging leisure activities. As part of a large, interdisciplinary team including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Nursing Services, the Activities Therapist will play a vital role in the recovery process.
Join Our Team at UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health as an Activities Therapist! We are seeking an Activities Therapist with experience in child and adolescent mental health to collaborate with this multidisciplinary team to help our patients grow and thrive. You will design and facilitate therapeutic activities that support patients' physical, emotional, and social well-being in line with the therapeutic goals of YBH.
In this role, you will design and facilitate engaging activities that support the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our patients. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Nursing professionals, you will play a key role in helping patients build skills for growth and recovery in a therapeutic setting. These activities may include music, art, recreation, and other therapeutic modalities, addressing the recreational, physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social needs of the patients. You will work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team, contributing to a safe, healing environment while fostering resilience and growth.
Responsibilities:
1. Must perform proficiently in all competency areas including but not limited to: general activities duties, supervisory responsibilities, care plan and documentation responsibilities, patient rights, and safety and sanitation principles and techniques of therapy as applies in an acute care psychiatric facility
2. Must demonstrate understanding of basic medical and psychiatric terminology as well as basic regulations governing the treatment of people in psychiatric health facilities.
3. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing while appropriately and descriptively charting patient progress and behavior. Maintain detailed records of activity programs and participation of individual residents, identifying progress toward established care plan goals.
4. Adapt treatment programs by graduating tasks to meet patient's level of function
5. Develop, organize, and implement a program of adjunctive therapy activities to meet the social, emotional, physical and other therapeutic needs of patients as identified on the patients' plan of care and within the specified budget.
6. Must be able to make regular in-room visits to patients uninterested or unable to participate in group activities
7. Must exhibit excellent customer service and a positive attitude towards patients. Coordinate and verify that assistance is provided to residents for activities and events as necessary. Create an ongoing calendar of activities, which creatively meets multiple needs and is accessible and appealing to both men and women of all ages and abilities.
Other Information
Other information:
Education Requirements:
• Bachelor's Degree in human services field required
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
• No licensure or certification required.
Professional Experience Requirements:
• No experience is required
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
• A variety of individual and group facilitation techniques• Demonstrated proficiency in arts/crafts/music is preferred• Knowledge of one or more therapeutic activity area such as recreation/occupational/music/art therapy; individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with clients; knowledge of the general nature of physical or mental illnesses/disabilities and/or developmental disabilities;• Ability to apply and adapt skills and knowledge of activity areas to planned sessions of therapeutic activities; Ability to foster interest, initiative, responsibility, and experimentation in clients and discourage inappropriate responses;• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups.• Familiarity working with forensic and/or psychiatric consumers preferred.
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: UNCH YBH Recreational Therapy
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $19.78 - $28.12 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: Butner:NC:27509
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.