Forensic Mental Health Specialist

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in Northern Virginia is seeking a Forensic Mental Health Specialist (Direct Service Associate III). The role focuses on providing quality psychological evaluation, assessment, and treatment services in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, within an inpatient setting.

You will conduct 1:1 and group interventions, support community reintegration efforts, and document progress with a strengths-based, person-centered approach.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of best practices in mental health treatment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapeutic interventions demonstrating use of best practices in mental health treatment and adherence to a person-centered, strengths-based philosophy of care
• Facilitate individual and group Competency Restoration sessions, Community Meetings, Escorted Grounds Walks, Escorted Community Reintegration Outings, individual behavioral supports, and other forensic or direct care tasks as assigned.
• Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills in team/unit meetings and progress notes.
• Demonstrate understanding of the legal code, departmental instructions, and department policies and procedures for individuals with forensic legal status, Abide by ethical and professional standards of practice in an inpatient setting
• Participate in training and educational opportunities as assigned. Therapeutic milieu engagement & 1:1 Individualized interventions Community reintegration outings Crisis De-escalation Behavioral Supports Appropriate documentation in medical record Training and educational opportunities Demonstrated comprehension of and adherence to a person-centered, strengths-based philosophy of care
• Ability to conduct personal interviews and group discussions
• Basic knowledge of behavioral intervention techniques
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of the legal code, departmental instructions, and department policies and procedures for individuals with forensic legal status Familiarity with relevant ethical and professional standards of practice in an inpatient setting. Good written and oral communication skills .Other forensic or direct care tasks as assigned.

Skills

Best practices in mental health

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Title: Forensic Mental Health Specialist

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $47,099- $65,488

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Northern VA Mental Health Inst

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/nvmhi/careers/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

To promote the organizational objective of the psychology department via the provision of quality psychological evaluation, assessment, and treatment services, in collaboration with other disciplines, thereby fostering adaptive functioning and improving the welfare of individuals served.

• Provide therapeutic interventions demonstrating use of best practices in mental health treatment and adherence to a person-centered, strengths-based philosophy of care
• Facilitate individual and group Competency Restoration sessions, Community Meetings, Escorted Grounds Walks, Escorted Community Reintegration Outings, individual behavioral supports, and other forensic or direct care tasks as assigned.
• Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills in team/unit meetings and progress notes.
• Demonstrate understanding of the legal code, departmental instructions, and department policies and procedures for individuals with forensic legal status , Abide by ethical and professional standards of practice in an inpatient setting
• Participate in training and educational opportunities as assigned. Therapeutic milieu engagement & 1:1 Individualized interventions Community reintegration outings Crisis De-escalation Behavioral Supports Appropriate documentation in medical record Training and educational opportunities Demonstrated comprehension of and adherence to a person-centered, strengths-based philosophy of care
• Ability to conduct personal interviews and group discussions
• Basic knowledge of behavioral intervention techniques
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of the legal code, departmental instructions, and department policies and procedures for individuals with forensic legal status Familiarity with relevant ethical and professional standards of practice in an inpatient setting. Good written and oral communication skills .Other forensic or direct care tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of best practices in mental health treatment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Additional Considerations

• Direct care experience required
• Inpatient psychiatric experience

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link:https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx

Contact Pathways

Led by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Career Pathways grant will help nearly 500 Virginians with disabilities, including young adults and veterans, gain new skills and credentials through Career Pathways to seek employment in competitive, high-demand, high-quality occupations.

www.vadars.org

or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (HR Rep phone #)for assistance. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics or disability.

DBHDS is a healthcare organization and must comply with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS) guidance on Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care staff Vaccination Regulation which requires vaccination of all employees or an exemption. A job offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate meeting these guidelines as a condition of employment.

Agency website https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/nvmhi/careers/

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Sue Upadhyay

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.