Court Evaluator Behavioral Health - Psychiatry Admin

PeaceHealth; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 87,000; Part time

Job summary

PeaceHealth seeks a Court Evaluator Behavioral Health for a Per Diem/Relief, 0.00 FTE, Day position. Performs clinical assessments for involuntary detention, co-authors petitions, and provides expert testimony in court proceedings.

Responsible for evaluating mental health status, reviewing records, and interviewing treatment providers and witnesses. Opens investigations for 14-, 90-, or 180-day orders, collaborates with co-petitioners and Deputy Prosecutors, and prepares court documentation and

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Behavioral Health Sciences or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years crisis mental health intervention experience
• Experience using DSM-V-TR for mental health diagnoses
• Familiarity with mental health court procedures and related agencies
• Experience testifying as an expert witness
• State credential/license for clinical Behavioral Health in Washington
• Basic Life Support certification
• Knowledge of ASO and Behavioral Health Organization standards

Responsibilities

• Opens the investigation to determine if respondent meets criteria for court orders
• Requisitions and compiles mental health history and documents
• Interviews relevant persons and the respondent
• Consults with co-petitioner to determine detention grounds
• Composes petitions for continued detainment
• Collaborates with Prosecutors on court strategies and testimony
• Prepares court packets and notifies involved parties of dates
• Testifies in court and presents testimony from medical records and treatment history
• Tracks legal timelines for various detention orders and LRO revocations
• Supports trauma-informed care initiatives and staff orientation to processes

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Reading medical documents

Interpreting legal documentation

Mental health evaluations

Expert testimony

Knowledge of involuntary commitment

Interviewing and assessment

Proficiency in Word/Outlook/Excel

Education

Master's Degree in Behavioral Health Sciences

WA State Social/Counseling Work Credential License/Certification

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Job description

Description

PeaceHealth is seeking a Court Evaluator Behavioral Health for a Per Diem/Relief, 0.00 FTE, Day position. The salary range for this job opening at PeaceHealth is $42.06 – $63.10.

The hiring rate is dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to education, training, work experience, terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, seniority, etc.

Job Summary

Performs clinical assessments and evaluations of patients admitted on a civil commitment for involuntary detention to a psychiatric facility. Co-authors petitions with the attending provider, recommending Restrictive Treatment for patients in compliance with the Whatcom County Superior Court rules. Provides expert witness testimony in court proceedings through a combination of patient evaluation, medical chart review, discussions with treatment providers and witnesses, and direct examination/cross-examination from prosecution/defense attorneys.

Details of the positon:

• Opens the investigation as the petitioner, in order to determine if the respondent (an involuntarily detained behavioral health patient) meets the criteria according to State and/or Federal guidelines, for filing a petition for a 14-day, 90-day or 180-day more restrictive order, or a 90-day or 180-day less restrictive alternative court order.
• Requisitions/compiles all pertinent documents relating to the respondent’s mental health history, assesses current mental status and behavior, reviews and assesses all documents and evidence, contacts and interviews (telephonically or face-to-face) persons who are able to provide information pertinent to the investigation and interviews the respondent including a review of their rights at the time of the interview.
• Consult with the co-petitioner (a physician or a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner) to determine if there are grounds for further detention of the respondent for a 14-day, 90-day, or 180-day court order.
• Composes and provides the petition in a typewritten form in order to prove the need for further detainment of the respondent on the grounds of grave disability, danger to self, or danger to others.
• Collaborates with the Whatcom County Deputy Prosecutors regarding court strategies and testimony and reviews decisions to dismiss or convert cases to Less Restrictive Orders prior to the hearing.
• Prepares documents for court hearings and services these packets to the appropriate recipient. Sets court dates and contacts the parties involved to inform them of the court date.
• Prepares the court room, educates witnesses to court process prior to the hearing, and testifies when called to by attorneys.
• Presents testimony on all relevant chart entries in past and current medical records and relevant aspects of the patient’s history, patient’s course of treatment during the initial detention period that supports recommendation for further treatment, consideration that was given to less restrictive options and rationale for the necessity of more restrictive treatment, and consideration of voluntary hospitalization and rationale for the necessity for continued involuntary status.
• Tracks legal timelines for respondents in the Behavioral Health Unit that are on an initial detention,14-day, 90-day, and 180-day court orders as well as LRO revocations.
• Supports a system-wide understanding of trauma prevalence, impact and trauma informed care, fosters healing, hopeful, honest and trusting relationships for consumers and employees, values consumer voice, choice and self-advocacy, and promotes a safe, calm and secure environment with supportive care and client-focused services that are trauma specific and promote recovery and wellness.
• Orients new staff to the mental health court process and requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What you bring:

• Master's Degree Required: Behavioral Health Sciences or equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the incumbent the requisite knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform this job
• Minimum of 2 years Required: experience specifically in crisis mental health intervention field and
• Required: Demonstrated experience in determining mental health diagnoses using the DSM-V-TR and
• Required: Practiced in mental health court procedures including protocols of Public Defender’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office, Superior Court and Police/Sheriff’s Departments and
• Required: Practiced in testifying as an expert witness under cross examination
• Required: Upon Hire Washington State Social/Counseling Work Credential License, Registration and/or Certification as required by State for clinical practice in Behavioral Health and
• Required: Upon Hire Basic Life Support
• Whatcom:Familiar with the standards and protocols of the ASO and Behavioral Health Organization.

Skills

• Knowledge of applicable State and/or Federal requirements and laws regulating involuntarily detained behavioral health patients (Required)
• Ability to meet standards for Mental Health Professional as required by the State for practice (Required)
• Acquainted with evaluation and treatment centers and hospitals for area where services are provided (Required)
• Acquainted with local and state medical and social systems related to mental health care (Required)
• Proficient in reading and interpreting medical documentation (Required)
• Proficient in interpreting, writing and editing legal documentation (Required)
• Adept in conducting mental health evaluations and mental status exams in diverse settings with a wide spectrum of respondents (an involuntarily detained mental health patient) and witnesses (Required)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (Required)
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully as a team member (Required)
• Proficient with Word, Outlook, Excel and audio-visual equipment (Required)

Working Conditions

Lifting

• Ability to move around area with occasional sitting.
• Bend/ twist/ reach/ push/ pull occasionally.
• Lift/Carry: Occasionally up to 5 lbs.

Environmental Conditions

• Exposure to biohazard, body fluids and airborne particles.
• Time spent on site in medical/hospital setting or in office environment.

Mental/Visual

• Vision and hearing required within normal limits (glasses, contacts, hearing aids permitted).
• Ability to communicate and exchange accurate information.

PeaceHealth is committed to the overall wellbeing of our caregivers. The benefits included in positions less than 0.5 FTE are 403b retirement plan for caregiver contributions; wellness benefits, discount program, and expanded EAP and mental health program.

See how PeaceHealth is committed to Inclusivity, Respect for Diversity and Cultural Humility.