DSHS BHA Psychologist Forensic Evaluator, Spokane or Seattle, WA

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DSHS BHA Psychologist Forensic Evaluator - Western WA

Salary $101,052.00 - $132,612.00 Annually
Location Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA
Job Type Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment Flexible/Hybrid
Department Dept. of Social and Health Services
Job Number 2022-14095
Closing 1/31/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

DSHS Psychologist - Forensic Evaluator

DSHS’s Behavioral Health Administration Office of Forensic Mental Health Services (OFMHS) is seeking motivated psychologists to join our team as Forensic Evaluators in Washington State. We have openings in the Greater Seattle area,

This is a hybrid work opportunity with the majority of work being performed remotely. Applicant should reside in Washington as roughly 60-70% of interviews require an in-person presence.

Working in a fast-paced environment with deadlines and an expectation of a high degree of professionalism, your core functions include conducting forensic psychological evaluations, report writing, and providing expert testimony for the court. You will serve as a primary point of contact with various stakeholders in the legal community, the greater behavioral health treatment community, as well as other public/private sector entities that hold interest in our evaluations.

OFMHS strives to improve the health status of multiple vulnerable populations by supporting sustainable recovery, independence, and wellness. BHA includes three state psychiatric hospitals. OFMHS is responsible for the leadership and management of Washington's forensic health care system, and addressing the increase in demand for behavioral health services for adults and youth in the criminal justice system. We provide forensic evaluations (typically competency to stand trial and mental health state at the time of the offense), competency restoration, and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) treatment services, and effectively provide liaison services that coordinate efforts with system partners to meet shared goals. OFMHS additionally provides ongoing training and technical assistance to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic mental health services, data management, and resource allocation, training and certification of evaluators, and quality monitoring and reporting. Working in collaboration with the Governor's Office, we lead and implement robust diversion efforts to prevent citizens with behavioral health illnesses from entering the criminal justice system. Significant public resources are being invested in providing the high-quality and empirically supported services of OFMHS.

Washington State is a great place to live with a wide variety of diverse communities and activities.

Primary Priorities:

• Conducting forensic competency to stand trial and mental health state at the time of the offense evaluations for the courts of Washington State
• Interviewing pretrial defendants in custody and in the community, as well as collaterals in-person and/or by telehealth
• Collecting data such as treatment, education, criminal and social histories while objectively synthesizing and weighing relevant historical information available
• Performing relative case-specific psychological, medical, and legal research
• Administering, scoring, interpreting, and reporting the results of psychological testing
• Analyzing relevant data and facts to formulate opinions to questions posed in a court order
• Submitting forensic evaluations to the court
• Preparing for and providing expert witness testimony regarding forensic evaluations or as requested or subpoenaed by the courts

Who should apply

• Professionals with a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of Psychology
• An active license to practice as a psychologist in the State of Washington or ability to obtain.
• Successful completion of a doctoral internship accredited by the American Psychological Association

What we are looking for:

• Forensic fellowship training, one year as a forensic evaluator, or ABPP certifications is preferred.
• Knowledge of forensic health assessments
• Demonstrated competency in working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups
• Experience and demonstrated competency with assessing or screening patients for admission into a psychiatric hospital or other residential behavioral health settings
• Ability to effectively communicate with management peers, patients, and others in a psychiatric hospital or other residential settings
• Forensic fellowship training or experience as a forensic evaluator and expert witness

Please attach an up-to-date resume or CV and a letter of interest that specifically addresses items mentioned in this announcement.

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Contact grant.grady@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 14095

Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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