Psychologist III - Forensic Psychologist

DHRM; Danville (VA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Health insurance benefits

Paid holidays & vacation

Job summary

Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville, VA, seeks a Psychologist III for Forensic Psychology to perform forensic evaluations, provide diagnoses, and deliver expert court and legal consultations. This role offers opportunities to work with courts, jails, and forensic populations within a state psychiatric setting.

The position emphasizes extensive clinical assessment, documentation, and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, with access to educational resources and

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in psychology (e.g. Ph.D., Psy.D.) from an APA-accredited program.
• Predoctoral internship accredited by APA or equivalent for licensure eligibility.
• Experience with forensically involved individuals with mental illness.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic assessments and provide diagnoses.
• Deliver treatment and prepare reports for courts and agencies.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, jail systems, and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Forensic psychology

Court testimony

Diagnostic evaluation

Psychotherapy

Crisis management

Written communication

Oral communication

Testing administration

Team collaboration

Education

Doctoral degree in psychology

APA- accredited internship

Tools

Word processing

Test scoring software

Job description

Title: Psychologist III - Forensic Psychologist

State Role Title:49213

Hiring Range: $126,321 - $166,723

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:Southern Va Mental Health Inst

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/svmhi/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Come Join our Psychology team that makes a difference!

$8,000 sign-on bonus for candidates that are new to state service and remain employed with the facility for one year.

Exceptional State Benefits Include:

• 13 paid holidays, 12+ paid vacation days, 8 paid sick days and 4+ paid family personal days per year; Family Medical Leave, Short- and Long-term disability coverage; Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance benefits; Group life and optional life insurance, and Flexible Reimbursement accounts.

Other state benefits include:

• Referral Bonuses


• Virginia 529 College Savings Plan may be available for this role


• State Employee Discounts and More!

Are you looking to be part of a dynamic team of engaged and dedicated professionals while putting your forensic assessment and clinical skills to work? Are you looking to increase your exposure to forensic psychology cases with opportunities for assessment, diagnosis, and legal experience? As a forensic psychologist working for Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), you will have access to psychological referral questions across a wide range of legal codes, diagnoses, and patient presentations. You will also have access to educational resources to include didactic training, webinars, and expert consultation.

Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute is seeking a forensic psychologist to assist patients in their recovery and answer mental health questions for the courts and jails. We are a 72-bed state psychiatric hospital located in Danville, VA with most of our patient population being forensic. The forensic psychologist works with individuals acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity, as well as defendants ordered for competency restoration, and inmates ordered for pre- and post-trail treatment. The forensic psychologist also answers referral questions and provides treatment update reports to jails, attorneys, and courts.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctoral degree in psychology (e.g. Ph.D., Psy.D.) from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or an equivalent accrediting body recognized by the Virginia licensing board, as required for licensure eligibility.

Completion of a predoctoral internship accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or an equivalent accrediting body, as required for licensure eligibility as outlined in Code of Virginia Regulation 18VAC125-20-54E.

Experience as a doctoral degree psychologist in working with forensically involved individuals with mental illness.

Must currently hold or be able to obtain license through the Virginia Department of Health Professions as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist within 12 months of hire and maintain such licensure throughout employment in this role.

Must currently hold or be able to complete the DBHDS forensic certification through the Institute of Law Psychiatry and Public Policy (ILPPP) within 12 months of hire.

This position will also require:

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychological principles, practices, and ethical standards as evidenced by rigorous, accredited training programs.


• Strong skills in diagnostic evaluation, treatment planning, and psychotherapy, typically acquired through APA-accredited doctoral programs and internships.


• Proficiency in the administration and scoring of basic psychological testing instruments.


• Proficiency in assessing and treating individuals with a variety of clinical presentations.


• Familiarity with psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model.


• Strong oral and written communications skills.


• Ability to analyze behavior patterns and develop behavioral assistance plans.


• Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary treatment team.


• Strong crisis management skills.


• Ability to present/testify well in court.


• Previous basic computer skills (word processing, computerized test scoring, etc.).


• This position requires adherence to the highest standards of professional practice, as demonstrated by training in programs meeting national accreditation standards for psychology.

Additional Considerations

Forensic certification by Virginia’s Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy. Board certification in forensic psychology. Veterans and people with National Service.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Applicants must list all relevant experience that you wish to be considered for this position. Applicants will be provided confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

A successful fingerprint-based criminal history check, drug screen, and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific “barrier” crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending “barrier” charges.

Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged 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 with the Department of Aging and 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. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at [phone] for assistance.

DBHDS 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. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

SVMHI uses Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment.

SVMHI is a smoke and vape-free facility in all buildings and outside facility grounds.

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.

Advertised: 18 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 07 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time