Forensic Specialist

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for identifying, tracking, monitoring and coordinating mental health and/or substance abuse services for individuals at risk of being adjudicated under Statute 916.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college in the field of counseling, social work, psychology or a related human services field with 1-year of experience in a mental health related field.  Must have good verbal and writing communication skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITES: 

• Identifies, tracks, and monitors mental health consumer in the criminal justice system who have been adjudicated under Chapter 916 F.S. as incompetent to proceed or not guilty by reason of insanity, or at risk of being adjudicated.
• Reviews circuit court dockets daily to identify scheduled competency hearings or trials where insanity is intended to be used for a defense.
• Attends hearings or trials when possible to determine resolution.
• Facilitates and documents consumer’s movement through the complexities of the criminal justice system through on-going communication with public defenders, state attorneys, judges, clerks and state (DC&F) forensic personnel.
• Tracks commitment orders from court to clerk’s office, to DC&F forensic personnel.
• Facilitates, monitors and documents consumers involvement with mental health treatment at all points in the criminal justice system.
• Maintains on-going communication with jail medical and mental health staff to identify inmates in need of ongoing psychiatric treatment (psychotropic medications).
• Maintains at least monthly contact with consumer’s treatment team at forensic facilities and visits each consumer every quarter for a face-to-face interview.
• When a consumer is released into the community on a conditional release order, monitors compliance with the terms of that release and reports to the court as required in the release.
• Makes a monthly face-to-face contact with all consumers on conditional release.
• Documents on-going communication with community case managers to ensure continuity of care for consumers as they move in and out of the criminal justice system.
• Communicates with family members, with appropriate authorization regarding consumers’ status in criminal justice system.
• Complies with all provisions of the regional operating procedure for Forensic Specialist.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Assures SALs are completed appropriately and turned in on a daily basis.
• Assures proper chart management, storage and accountability per CBH standards.
• Assures accurate and timely case documentation per funding sources.
• Consistently documents in a concise, legible manner with approved and appropriate abbreviations and terms.
• Maintains established caseload
• Prepares monthly forensic caseload status report, in accordance with regional forensic procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES  

Demonstrates Dependability:  

• Arrives to work on time according to agency policies 

• Uses leave time according to agency policies

• Completes documentation/paperwork and projects within deadlines 

Demonstrates Flexibility & Initiative:  

• Assumes additional responsibilities and a willingness to assist colleagues 

• Works different shifts when necessary 

• Recommends program changes and improvements 

Demonstrates Teamwork:  

• Maintains an overall work attitude of cooperation and professionalism in all interactions with agency staff and  community professionals 

• Attends and participates in required staff meetings and agency-wide committees 

• Receptive to direction and feedback from supervisor 

Demonstrates Professionalism: 

• Conducts self in professional manner with colleagues, peers, and persons served 

• Recognizes the rights of clients; and will protect privacy of persons served at all times by following agency, State, and Federal mandated privacy procedures and regulations  

• Adheres to agency Code of Ethics at all times 

• Complies with all agency policies and procedures, laws and regulations under which the agency operates