Lead Psychologist - Statewide Forensic & Inpatient Programs

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Louisiana, Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health in Baton Rouge, seeks a Psychologist 4 to provide statewide leadership over forensic and inpatient behavioral health systems. This role emphasizes program oversight, policy development, and collaboration with agencies to improve care quality and patient placement.

Qualified candidates hold a current Louisiana psychology license and at least two years of relevant experience in research, testing, or counseling;

Qualifications

• Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice psychology and two years of experience in psychological research, testing, or counseling.

Responsibilities

• Provides statewide leadership and oversight of forensic and inpatient behavioral health programs, ensuring quality, compliance, and effective service delivery across multiple facilities.
• Serves as Divisional Supervisory Monitor for contracted hospitals, overseeing continued stay approvals, clinical quality, and operational performance.
• Leads complex case coordination for individuals with significant behavioral health needs, ensuring appropriate placement and access to care across Louisiana’s inpatient system.
• Functions as a subject matter expert on judicial commitments, forensic services, and complex psychiatric cases, advising leadership, legal teams, and external stakeholders.
• Reviews and evaluates judicial commitment petitions statewide, providing clinical guidance and recommendations to support appropriate patient placement and legal action.
• Directs the statewide 648(b) civil commitment evaluation process, including oversight of court-ordered evaluations, physician coordination, and compliance with legal timelines and requirements.
• Manages Louisiana’s juvenile competency restoration program, providing supervision, training oversight, and coordination of services across multiple regions and provider networks.
• Collaborates with state agencies, local governing entities (LGEs), legal partners, and courts to resolve complex cases and improve coordination across behavioral health and justice systems.
• Analyzes legislation, develops policy recommendations, and contributes to program
• Represents OBH in meetings, legislative discussions, and interagency initiatives, while supporting contracts, grants, and special projects that expand and improve behavioral health

Skills

Psychology experience

Education

Louisiana psychology licensure

Job description

The State of Louisiana, Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health in Baton Rouge, seeks a Psychologist 4 to provide statewide leadership over forensic and inpatient behavioral health systems. This role emphasizes program oversight, policy development, and collaboration with agencies to improve care quality and patient placement.

Qualified candidates hold a current Louisiana psychology license and at least two years of relevant experience in research, testing, or counseling;