Forensic Evaluator - Eastern WA

Job Description

Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), Office of Forensic Mental Health Services (OFMHS) is seeking experienced and motivated professionals to serve as a Psychologist- Forensic Evaluators in Washington State. This is a challenging, fast-paced environment with deadlines and an expectation of a high-degree of professionalism. Core functions of this position include: conducting forensic psychological evaluations, report writing, and providing expert testimony for the court.

Due in no small part to the Trueblood decision, Washington State has become a leader in the cutting edge specialty area of forensic psychology, the point at which psychology intersects with legal system. Forensic evaluators are primary points of contact with various stakeholders in the legal community, the greater psychiatric treatment community, as well as other public/private sector entities that hold interest in our evaluations.

Finally, simply, Washington State is a great place to live with a wide variety of diverse communities and activities. Presently we have openings on the Eastside of the State we have offices in Spokane, Tri-Cities. Specific assignments to designated offices are based on availability and seniority.

DSHS, BHA, and OFMHS strive to improve the health status of multiple vulnerable populations by supporting sustainable recovery, independence and wellness. BHA is organized into the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, the Budget and Finance Division, the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services and the three state psychiatric hospitals.

The Office of Forensic Mental Health Services is responsible for the leadership and management of Washington's forensic mental health care system, and is addressing the increase in demand for mental health services for adults and youth in the criminal justice system. OFMHS provides forensic evaluations (typically competency to stand trial and mental state at the time of the offense), competency restoration and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) treatment services, and provides liaison services to effectively coordinate efforts with system partners to meet shared goals. OFMHS additionally provides ongoing training and technical assistance to improve quality and timeliness of forensic mental health services, data management and resource allocation, training and certification of evaluators and quality monitoring and reporting. OFMHS works in collaboration with the Governor's Office to lead and implement robust diversion efforts to prevent citizens with behavioral health illnesses from entering the criminal justice system. Significant public resources have been invested in providing the high quality and empirically supported services of OFMHS.


What you will be doing
The most important duties performed in this job include, but are not limited to:
Conducting forensic competency to stand trial and mental state at the time of the offense evaluations for the courts of Washington State.
Interviewing pretrial defendants in custody and in the community, as well as collaterals.
Collecting data such as treatment, education, criminal and social histories while objectively synthesizing and weighing relevant historical information available.
Performing relative case specific psychological, medical and legal research as necessary.
Administering, scoring, interpreting and reporting the results of psychological testing.
Analyzing relevant data and facts to formulate opinions to questions posed in a court order.
Submitting forensic evaluations to the court.
Preparing for and providing expert witness testimony regarding forensic evaluations or as requested or subpoenaed by the courts.
What we're is looking for
Knowledge of forensic mental health assessment.
Demonstrated competency in working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups.
Experience and demonstrated competency with assessing or screening patients for admission into a psychiatric hospital and other residential mental health setting.
Ability to effectively communicate with management peers, patients and others in a psychiatric hospital or other residential settings.
Forensic fellowship training or experience as a forensic evaluator and expert witness.
A willingness, desire, to be trained in forensic assessment.
Who should apply

Professionals with a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of Psychology and an active license to practice as a psychologist in the State of Washington.

Successful completion of a doctoral internship accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Preference may be given for either forensic fellowship training or one year as a forensic evaluator.
Preference may be given for ABPP certifications.

For quickest results, more information and to apply go directly to governmentjobs.com at this link:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2774525/dshs-bha-forensic-evaluator

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