Forensic Director - Psychologist - Central State Hospital

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Job Title

Forensic Director - Psychologist - Central State Hospital

Agency

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Job Requisition ID

JR0000007168

Shift: Day (United States of America)

Compensation Details

$124,000 PLUS BENEFITS

Job Description

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and hospital services.

• The main office for DBHDD is in downtown Atlanta.
• This position is located at: Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, GA

Central State Hospital (CSH) is the home of Georgia’s maximum secure forensic hospital, operated in the Payton B. Cook building in Milledgeville.

CSH serves individuals who are referred by the criminal justice system for pre-trial psychiatric evaluation and/or inpatient treatment; those who have been found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of commission of a crime or mentally incompetent to stand trial; and those who are admitted on hold orders from jails for psychiatric evaluation, treatment and stabilization. CSH provides inpatient forensic services to 195 individuals across 9 units.

Job Description

Job Title: Hospital Forensic Director (HFD) -

Job Summary

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Hospital Forensic Director - Psychologist.

The Hospital Forensic Director (HFD) oversees the Forensic Program at the hospital, supervises all hospital psychologists, and supervises master’s level staff (Behavior Health Counselors, Recovery Team Facilitators) who are responsible for planning and providing active treatment for individuals admitted to a DBHDD hospital by order of a State or Superior Criminal Court to restore competency to stand trial, and teach necessary life-skills for those found not guilty by reason of insanity or civilly committed by a Court to allow for a safe return to the community.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Oversees the clinical and forensic operations of nine inpatient forensic psychiatric units, including supervising psychologists, post-docs, behavior health counselors, and treatment team facilitators.

Completes assigned forensic psychological evaluations (competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, risk assessment), and reviews Forensic Psychologist quality on these reports.

Reviews Behavior Support Plans and Behavior Guidelines implemented on the Forensic units for appropriateness.

Reviews incoming court orders for admission, civil commitment, privileges, and release of individuals for parameters within the mission of DBHDD, resolving any conflicts; arranging admissions of individuals with a forensic legal status and managing any waitlists for admissions; monitoring for correct data entry of legal statuses; and providing education to the courts served.

Participates in assigned meetings and committees.

Qualifications

Doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university. Training and experience in forensic psychology. Current Georgia license to practice psychology (Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent).

Preferred Qualifications

5 years of experience in the field of forensic psychology and 5 years of experience in management of psychological or forensic psychological services.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university, current Georgia license to practice psychology, and three (3) years of experience at the lower level Psychologist 3 (HCP142) or equivalent. --Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.

Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.