Criminal Justice Therapist

Jefferson Center for Mental Health; Arkansas; Hybrid; USD 57,000 - 77,000; Part time

Job summary

Jefferson Center for Mental Health seeks a part-time Forensic Clinician and Jail Based Behavioral Services Clinician to support individuals involved in forensic and correctional settings. The role emphasizes assessments, individual and group therapy, and coordinating with criminal justice partners to ensure continuity of care.

Responsibilities include preparing reports, maintaining documentation, and applying evidence-based practices, with duties primarily jail-based and some remote/community

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related field; 1–2 years of related experience.
• License (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) preferred; Candidate Status required (SWC, LSW, MFTC, LPCC).
• Provide clinical services with risk assessment and quarterly FCBS/DA reporting.
• Coordinate between FCBS, legal system, and Jefferson Center; adherence to release terms.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and provide individual and group therapy for adults.
• Coordinate referrals with criminal justice and community partners.
• Enter and maintain referral logs; track program outcomes.
• Communicate with FCBS, courts, and JC to align treatment planning.
• Attend quarterly FCBS meetings and ensure timely documentation.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Case management

Interagency coordination

Documentation

Community-based care

Education

Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or related field

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $57,000 USD to $77,200 USD
  Jefferson Center pay is determined by various factors including education level, licensure level, years of relative experience, and internal equity amongst current staff.

Description

This position is hybrid role, combining responsibilities for a part-time Forensic Clinician and part-time Jail Based Behavioral Services Clinician.

The Forensic and Jail-Based Behavioral Services Clinician provides specialized behavioral health assessment, treatment, case management, and criminal justice system coordination for individuals involved in forensic and correctional settings. This role serves as the primary clinician for individuals found 'Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity' (NGRI) who are transitioning from or residing in the community under Community Placement or Conditional Release status, while also acting as the primary point of contact for Jefferson County Jail Based Behavioral Services (JBBS). Responsibilities include conducting assessments, providing individual and group therapy, coordinating referrals and services with criminal justice and community partners, ensuring compliance with court-ordered and program requirements, preparing required reports and documentation, supporting interagency collaboration, and maintaining data for program evaluation and reporting. The position promotes continuity of care across the forensic and criminal justice systems to support client stability, recovery, and community safety.

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• Master’s Degree (from an accredited university/college) in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or a related field, plus one to two years related experience and/or training
• License (LCSW, LMFT, LPC) preferred
• Candidate Status (SWC, LSW, MFTC, LPCC) required.
• Provides clinical services to assigned consumers, including ongoing assessment of risk and compliance with terms of release.
• Prepares and submits timely quarterly reports to Forensic and Community Based Service Team (FCBS) and the District Attorney (DA).
• Facilitates communication and coordination between FCBS, the legal system, and Jefferson Center.
• Incorporates conditions specified by FCBS and the court into Jefferson Center treatment planning process.
• Facilitates communication and coordination between FCBS and the center.
• Reports any unusual incidents, special circumstances, violation of conditions, or clinical decompensation to FCBS.
• Attends quarterly meetings with FCBS team to identify issues and monitor progress.
• Provide intake/assessment to appropriate referrals
• Provide individual, group therapy and evidence-based practices as indicated to adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use diagnoses
• Provide services to meet need: primarily jail based, with some remote and community office-based time
• Conduct initial community-based therapy sessions upon consumer release, and coordinate the transfer of care to appropriate programs as indicated
• Enter/maintain/update referral log and track program outcomes as assigned
• Regular communication with partnering agencies to generate referrals and maintain contacts; provide follow up on all referrals in timely manner

Other Duties:

• Timely completion of paperwork/documentation for clinical files
• Attend regularly scheduled team meetings and supervision
• Submit 90% of all Progress to Date notes within 3 working days
• Presentations and public speaking engagements as scheduled
• Work with Jefferson Center management and development departments to explore and identify future program development for adult offenders with serious mental health needs
• Exhibit enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility and spirit of cooperation in the work environment
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, supervisors, management, visitors and the general public
• Effectively respond to consumer needs and problems, initiate and maintain positive interactions, timely responses to phone calls, pages, email and all other requests
• Attend mandatory in-services, compliance with individualized training plan as required
• Participate in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Report high risk/problem cases, and utilize a problem solving approach/utilize feedback
• Use language and behavior to promote dignity/respect with consumers, Center staff and external customers
• Meet required number of consumer service hours as determined by Network Director and/or Clinical Manager
• Exhibit enthusiasm, courtesy, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment
• Maintain effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors and the general public
• Demonstrate cultural competency/awareness/skills in working with diverse caseload and utilizes Center resources/trainings as needed
• Effectively respond to client/consumer needs and problems, initiate and maintain positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, pages, email, etc
• Volunteer to work on Center committees
• Educate Jefferson Center staff and other key agencies about the programs
• Attend mandatory in-services, trainings, staffings and consultations as scheduled
• Participate in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Report high risk and problem cases, utilize a problem-solving approach as well as feedback

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Salary Range Master's Level (LPCC, MFTC, LSW, SWC) - $57,000 - $64,000*

Salary Range Licensed Therapist (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) - $70,000 - $77,200*

Additional Salary Information*:

• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*
• Jefferson Center pay is determined by various factors including education level, licensure level, years of relative experience, and internal equity amongst current staff.*

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.