FORENSIC SPECIALIST 1 - UNDERFILL

State-of-Nevad; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services (SNAMHS) at the Stein Forensic Unit in Las Vegas seeks Forensic Specialists to provide a mix of security and client care in an inpatient competency restoration setting.

New hires begin as Forensic Specialist 1 trainees for 12 months, completing POST Category III academy and Mental Health Certification, with progression to higher levels as qualifications are met and performance is satisfactory.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and two years of general work experience in health, mental health, medical, correctional, law enforcement or related settings; or one year of college coursework in health/behavioral science or criminal justice plus one year of general work experience.
• POST Category III physical fitness requirement and Peace Officer standards.
• Ability to perform data entry into appropriate systems and maintain confidential records.

Responsibilities

• Support clinical staff as part of a treatment team to optimize client care.
• Report normal and abnormal behavior and assist in treatment plan development.
• Facilitate group sessions and assist with daily living activities.
• Operate security functions including control room duties and incident response.
• Transport clients, conduct head counts, searches, and supervise activities.
• Assist with various patient care and safety responsibilities as assigned by supervising staff.

Skills

POST training

First aid CPR

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or GED

1 year college coursework health/behavioral science/criminal justice OR 2 years related work

Job description

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services (SNAMHS) is hiring Forensic Specialists at the Stein Forensic Unit in Las Vegas. This facility provides inpatient competency restoration for persons with alleged criminal charges. All persons committed and ordered by the courts are to remain in Forensic custody in a secure facility. Forensic Specialists perform a combination of security and client care duties to include transportation, community outings, community housing inspections, legal processes, and investigations, along with ambulation and supervision of basic activities of daily living. Incumbents will work in a trainee capacity for the first 12 months, completing a Category 3 Peace Officer Academy, and Mental Health Certification courses, and progress to Forensic Specialist 2 and 3 with the recommendation of the appointed authority when minimum qualifications are met, and is performing satisfactorily. Forensic Specialist 1s will be support for Forensic Specialist 2 and 3 with daily operation needs. Incumbents must meet current Peace Officer Standard Training (POST) requirements as established in N.A.C 289 and N.R.S 289.

Examination Process

Candidates that meet the minimum education and experience requirements of the position will be invited to enter the examination process as follows:

1. A POST Category III physical fitness exam which consists of a vertical jump of 15 inches; Agility Run in 20.4 seconds; 20 push-ups (not timed); a 300 meter run in 74 seconds; and a 1.5 mile run in 17 minutes and 37 seconds.
2. Extensive background investigation
3. Pre-employment drug screening per NAC 284.4066
4. Medical exam to include tuberculosis test
5. Psychological examination
6. Forensic Officer Structured Interview

Graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of general work experience, one year which was in a mental health, medical, correctional, law enforcement or related setting; OR one year of college coursework which included courses in health, behavioral science or criminal justice and one year of general work experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Support clinical staff by serving as a member of a treatment team to optimize client care and treatment as assigned; report normal and abnormal behavior; assist in identifying problems, developing treatment plans, documenting client progress, revising treatment plans and discharging clients as assigned; provide data entry into appropriate databases and/or software applications as needed.

Develop therapeutic relationships with assigned clients; orient the client to the unit/facility; spend one-on-one time with the clients; facilitate or co-facilitate group sessions as directed by professional staff; chart clients progress across activities, interaction with others and significant events; assist clients with the token economy store, telephone calls, work assignments, recreation, group referrals and understanding legal processes.

May perform mental health and security duties with an emphasis on providing therapeutic treatment for clients in order to support their attainment of competency to stand trial for criminal charges; prepare clients for competency hearings and facilitate groups regarding legal processes; assist clients in understanding the nature and seriousness of charges that have been filed.

Operate the control room to ensure the security of facilities for the protection of community, clients and staff; monitor activities of staff and clients through video monitors; maintain awareness of staff locations; check staff in and out; account for staff keys, fobs, and other personal items as assigned; control the entry and departure of personnel from the facility or unit as assigned; utilize various equipment such as two-way radios, intercom system, telephone system linked directly to police and fire departments, video tape recorder, and alarm systems including fire and motion detectors.

Perform perimeter checks of the facility; respond to emergency situations such as fires, evacuations, bomb threats, riots, and hostage situations following established policies and procedures; assist with scheduled fire drills.

Conduct head counts and special watches to verify the whereabouts and condition of all clients; make visual contact with the client which may include pulling back bedcovers and using flashlights to ensure visual recognition and client physical condition; document findings; report significant medical, safety, clinical or procedural problems through both verbal and written incident reports to the supervisor reviewing the head count and special watch report.

Conduct room and body searches to detect controlled substances, contraband and weapons; search clients and visitors prior to entering a secure area by patting down and scanning with a metal detector; conduct random room and area searches of client rooms, multipurpose rooms, day rooms, kitchen and grounds; identify health hazards,

Independently, or in conjunction with other forensic staff, supervise clients in the courtyard, kitchen, barbershop, gym, multipurpose room, day room, classroom, recreational and creative activity areas, clinic,medical infirmary, mental health unit,and living areas to ensure the safety of clients and staff; search the area prior to client entry for contraband, security problems or hazards; monitor client activity while in the area; search the area after clients/leave.

Control aggressive and maladaptive behavior of clients to ensure safety and security; initiate various techniques such as token economy, individual crisis intervention, time out, and other verbal and/or physical interventions appropriate to the situation and in consideration of client rights; obtain appropriate medical orders for seclusion and/or restraints by a doctor,or designee, prior to or as soon as possible after taking action.

Provide basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver in emergency situations.

Assist assigned clients with eating, bathing, shaving, oral hygiene, grooming, dressing and other basic activities of daily living; assist in transportation, movement and ambulation; may assist in specialized treatment under medical supervision and following completion of appropriate training/instruction.

Maintain current knowledge and ensure compliance with applicable State and federal health and safety laws and regulations, as well as policies concerning infection control and related issues; handle and dispose of bodily waste, cleaning agents and other potentially hazardous materials; ensure facilities are clean and sanitary and report building maintenance needs.

Transport clients to medical appointments, hospitals and other locations as assigned.

Inventory property of clients upon admission and discharge; monitor property release to clients by following appropriate policies and procedures; ensure the client has appropriate funds to mail their personal property upon discharge and then mail client property to different locations as required.

Oversee shift activities to include assigning work and ensuring timely completion of required reports; respond to incident reports and emergencies.

Receive training in performing the duties described above. Work is closely reviewed to ensure compliance with security standards and standards of care. Agency policy and procedures are available for training. This is the traineelevel in the series and progression to the next level may occur upon successful completion of required certification training, meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory performanceand approval ofthe appointing authority.

Under close supervision of professional staff or higher-level Forensic Specialists, incumbents receive training in performing duties described in the series concept. Work is closely reviewed to ensure compliance with security standards and standards of care. Agency policy and procedures are available for training. This is the trainee level in the series and progression to the next level may occur upon successful completion of required certification training, meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance and approval of the appointing authority.

Perform related duties as assigned.

General knowledge of: proper grammar and punctuation in order to accurately prepare and present reports; basic arithmetic; psychotropic medications including desired effects and side effects; behaviors associated with mental illness; assaultive behavior interventions to include self-defense and non-violent control of aggression; laws, regulations and policies related to client rights.

Ability to: work alone and as part of a team under the direction of a supervisor; learn the custody/security policies and procedures of the facility to which assigned; establish rapport and develop positive interpersonal relationships with clients; differentiate between a personal and therapeutic relationship; accompany clients to scheduled appointments, individual and group therapy sessions and various activities; learn and participate in the mental health and/or medical treatment of clients in the facility to which assigned; record information in client charts clearly and accurately; stand and walk for extended periods of time which may include an entire shift; communicate orally and in writing; safely drive a motor vehicle using defensive driving techniques; understand and follow oral and written instructions, policies and procedures.