Forensic Clinician (FCTP)

Forensic Clinician

Full Time

Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Forensic Clinician must have MSW, MA, or MS 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.

The Forensic Clinician coordinates the implementation of a forensic treatment and supervision plan within the interdisciplinary team. 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 also provides the court with 90-Day Progress Reports and Annual Review Reports. With oversight from a clinical supervisor, the Forensic Clinician may be guided in developing the Revocation of Outpatient Status Reports as indicated.

The position also involves collaborating with attorneys and providing material witness testimony as needed. This position involves scoring risk assessments, such as the HCR-20 and PCL-R/SV, and incorporating the results of these assessments, as well as those of other psychological assessments, into treatment and supervision planning under the guidance of a clinical supervisor.

The Forensic Clinician also participates in all routine and emergent team meetings.

The Forensic Clinician also assists with any other duties or projects as indicated by the Program Director or Program Coordinator.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides core services to an assigned caseload, including individual, group, and, as indicated, family treatment in accordance with the level of care requirements.
• Provides collaterals and case management services in accordance with the level of care requirements.
• With guidance from the clinical supervisor, assesses the 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 with guidance from the clinical supervisor.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in making clinical and supervision decisions, incorporating feedback, guidance, theory, and experience aimed at 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 the 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 an annual staffing report and presents the case at assigned clients’ annual staffing, integrating feedback into case conceptualization.
• Generates all required 90-Day and Annual Progress Reports in a timely manner and in line with the program’s guidelines and expectations for each report.
• Generates terms and conditions for each assigned client, in accordance with CONREP guidelines, annually and more often as indicated.
• Generates annual and ongoing documentation in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner (e.g. Individual Risk Profile, Release of Information, Client Schedule).
• Generates documentation for re-hospitalizations with guidance from the clinical supervisor.
• 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 community-based resources such as board and care administrators, volunteer supervisors, support group facilitators, sponsors, and family members.
• With guidance from the clinical supervisor, Works collaboratively and professionally with all attorneys, court officers, and law enforcement involved in clients’ cases.
• Makes site visits in the field as indicated.
• 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 a 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 score risk assessment measures and integrate them into treatment and supervision planning with guidance.
• Ability to handle encounters with clients who may be unstable, angry, hostile, agitated, or intoxicated in an appropriate, effective, and safe 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 Electronic Health Records and other company computer programs)
• 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.

REQUIREMENTS

• Eligible for licensure as an MSW or LMFT in the State of California.
  (License must be obtained within three years from the start of employment; MSW candidates may be required to obtain supervision by an LCSW outside of the agency to meet BBS requirements for a portion of their hours).
• CPR Certification*
• 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.
• CPI*
• Fire and Safety Training*.
• 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 the time is spent sitting while frequently required to walk, stand and bend. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Employees will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 20 pounds.