Forensic Unit Jobs Near Me

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name-the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

What you'll do at DBH:

• Monitors external & internal activity of Forensic Unit;
• Patrols assigned areas in non-patient areas (e.g., sallyport, grounds adjacent to buildings, hallways);
• Patrols assigned interior Patient areas (e.g., wards/units);
• Observes visits between patients & visitors; monitors & assures compliance with visiting room rules/regulations; renders advice to visitors concerning visitations; prevents contraband from entering Forensic Unit (e.g., uses metal detector to search visitors, staff &/or packages);
• Conducts patient or patient room searches; makes routine ward rounds;
• Responds to codes called & provides assistance to nursing personnel; completes &/or participates in investigations of unusual incidents; prepares incident reports; conducts daily count of patients;
• Escorts staff &/or patients on/off grounds; serves as sole escort to patient on/off grounds as needed; notifies supervisor of safety/security hazards;
• Assists COBH Police Department & other law enforcement agencies as directed; pursues & apprehends escaping patients &/or maintains visual sight of patients; receives notification from staff of emergency measures from codes to be called for fires, medical, psychiatric &/or disaster as needed;
• Announces codes & dispatches assistance to locations; documents activities on shifts; conducts operations checks of electronic field;
• Conducts personal surveillance of the building, fences, etc. & reports discrepancies.

This is an hourly position covered by the OCSEA/AFSCME bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of "CO" on the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule. This position is located within Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare at 2200 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43223.

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Position Qualifications

High school diploma or G.E.D.; must have valid driver's license for positions assigned to transportation section &/or requires commercial driver's license to drive vehicles qualifying as commercial. Applicants for positions in Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation & Correction must also successfully pass correction officer assessment or have successfully completed assessment within past 24 months; or applicants must be current employees with Ohio Department Of Rehabilitation & Correction who have previously been certified in position of correction officer. Probationary period is 365 days. 

All eligible applications shall be reviewed considering the following criteria: qualifications, experience, education, and active disciplinary record. 

Primary Job Skill: Corrections
Technical Skills: Behavioral Health, Security
Professional Skills: Cultural Awareness, Conflict Management, Attention to Detail

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution's website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.