Title: Forensic Mental Health Specialist
State Role Title: 49053
Hiring Range: Starting salary $ 49,000
Pay Band: 3
Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop
Location: No Va Mental Health Institute
Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/nvmhi/careers/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
To promote the organizational objective of the psychology department via the provision of quality psychological evaluation, assessment, and treatment services, in collaboration with other disciplines, thereby fostering adaptive functioning and improving the welfare of individuals served.
• Provide therapeutic interventions demonstrating use of best practices in mental health treatment and adherence to a person-centered, strengths-based philosophy of care
• Facilitate individual and group Competency Restoration sessions, Community Meetings, Escorted Grounds Walks, Escorted Community Reintegration Outings, individual behavioral supports, and other forensic or direct care tasks as assigned.
• Demonstrate good written and oral communication skills in team/unit meetings and progress notes.
• Demonstrate understanding of the legal code, departmental instructions, and department policies and procedures for individuals with forensic legal status
• Utilize Microsoft Word and Excel proficiently
• Abide by ethical and professional standards of practice in an inpatient setting
• Participate in training and educational opportunities as assigned.
Therapeutic milieu management
Group & 1:1 Individualized interventions
Community reintegration outings
Crisis De-escalation
Behavioral Supports
Appropriate documentation in medical record
Training and educational opportunities
Other forensic or direct care tasks as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
• Knowledge of best practices in mental health treatment
• Demonstrated comprehension of and adherence to a person-centered, strengths-based philosophy of care
• Ability to conduct personal interviews and group discussions
• Basic knowledge of behavioral intervention techniques
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Understanding of the legal code, departmental instructions, and department policies and procedures for individuals with forensic legal status
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Familiarity with relevant ethical and professional standards of practice in an inpatient setting
• Direct care experience required
Additional Considerations
• Inpatient psychiatric experience preferred
• Experience working with forensic populations preferred
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.
Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute only accepts online applications via PAGEUP. Resumes and other documents may accompany the application but will not serve as a substitute for an application. Faxed, e-mailed or mailed applications will not be accepted. Please refer to your PAGEUP account for the status of your application and this position. This posting will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days.
Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefit package to include your choice of four health insurance plans, paid life insurance and retirement plans, 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave.
Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: 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 Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & 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. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx
Contact Pathways
Led by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, the Career Pathways grant will help nearly 500 Virginians with disabilities, including young adults and veterans, gain new skills and credentials through Career Pathways to seek employment in competitive, high-demand, high-quality occupations.
www.vadars.org
or call DARS at 800-552-5019.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at (HR Rep phone #) for assistance. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.
Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute 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.
DBHDS is a healthcare organization and must comply with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal CMS) guidance on Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care staff Vaccination Regulation which requires vaccination of all employees or an exemption. A job offer of employment is contingent upon the candidate meeting these guidelines as a condition of employment.
Contact Information
Name: Sahar Attai
Phone: 703-207-7202
Email: sahar.attai@dbhds.virginia.gov
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.