What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forensic Specialist position at SalusCare, Inc?
1. Effectively identifies and facilitates diversions by offering viable alternatives to incarceration/hospitalization through presentation/advocacy to court as appropriate; decisions made with special consideration of mental health law, individuals’ needs, available resources and safety of the community. Links individuals to necessary services in the community.
2. Successfully monitors legal and mental health status of consumers who are at risk of (or determined by the courts to be…) Incompetent to Proceed and/or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity and/or on a conditional release on a felony charge.
3. Routinely demonstrates working knowledge of Florida Statute 916, Florida Statute 394 and the forensic mental health system.
4. Reliably provides leadership in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community and judicial entities.
5. Customarily advocates for and facilitates the timely discharge of consumers from State Hospital settings by linking and referring to appropriate community supports through collaboration with hospital and court personnel.
6. Routinely advocates on behalf of the consumer in order to obtain and maintain needed resources; advocates in a manner that promotes consumer independence by encouraging and teaching consumers to advocate for themselves.
7. Reliably attends all hearings for identified consumers and participates as needed to support the Court by testifying to the availability of resources/diversion alternatives.
8. Consistently offers assistance to expedite resolution of legal problems with careful consideration of F.S. 916 and F.S. 394 and related resources (e.g. form orders, precedents.)
9. Effectively provides education related to legal and mental issues to court personnel, other treatment providers, mental health consumers and their collateral supports.
10. Routinely conducts a minimum of monthly contact with consumer or collateral in order to provide support, facilitate movement through criminal justice system, and conduct ongoing assessment of mental health consumers.
11. Successfully develops and monitors Conditional Releases; reports to Court at a frequency defined by Court and as concerns arise (with special consideration of consumers’ needs and the safety of the community.)
12. Actively conducts visits with consumers at state treatment facilities at a frequency determined by supervisor.
13. Customarily completes all documentation requirements per SalusCare policy.
14. Satisfactorily demonstrates and models attitudes and knowledge consistent with co-occurring best-practice standards.
15. Consistently displays cultural competence and sensitivity and ensures services provided (ex. Assessments/evaluations, service planning, discharge planning) incorporate client-specific cultural values. Provide services that respect the varied identities people have based on race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender and gender identification, religion, spirituality, and mental, emotional and physical differences in abilities.
16. Routinely provides training for legal/judicial system related to mental health issues and related legal issues.
17. Independently manages daily schedule by prioritizing work responsibilities and individual consumer needs.
18. Actively maintains a minimum productivity level of 1,472 hours of direct service annually.
19. Actively participates in minimum of twice per month individual supervision meetings by presenting issues and ideas related to implementation of job duties and by receiving feedback related to job performance.
20. Consistently complies with mandates of: CARF, Federal Court Consent Decree, FAC 65-E15, DCF Contract, complies with SalusCare and Florida Certification Board Code of Ethics and SalusCare policies and procedures and routinely demonstrates a sound understanding of and commitment to compliance with these standards for the Diversion Program.
21. Routinely protects the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality according to laws and other governing rules when preparing and handling records, especially regarding the communication of client information with third-parties.
22. Reliably follows federal, state and other governing rules and regulations in order to promote and protect client rights.
23. Continuously maintains compliance with Staff Development training requirements.
24. Must complete certification with the Florida Certification Board within 6 months of hire as a Behavioral Health Case Manager and continue to adhere to this certification.
25. Effectively attains competence with Anasazi software and use it effectively within required time frames.
26. Successfully performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, criminal justice, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or a related human services field (a related human services field is one in which major course work includes the study of human behavior and development) and one year of full time or equivalent experience working with adults experiencing serious mental illness. Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and the appropriate level of automobile insurance coverage. Must have a reliable vehicle. Computer skills in Windows operating systems required.
Training Requirements: Completed or agrees to complete AHCA-approved mental health targeted case management training within three months of initially providing Medicaid services. Within 6 months must obtain Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Certification from Florida Certification Board.
2. Successfully monitors legal and mental health status of consumers who are at risk of (or determined by the courts to be…) Incompetent to Proceed and/or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity and/or on a conditional release on a felony charge.
3. Routinely demonstrates working knowledge of Florida Statute 916, Florida Statute 394 and the forensic mental health system.
4. Reliably provides leadership in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community and judicial entities.
5. Customarily advocates for and facilitates the timely discharge of consumers from State Hospital settings by linking and referring to appropriate community supports through collaboration with hospital and court personnel.
6. Routinely advocates on behalf of the consumer in order to obtain and maintain needed resources; advocates in a manner that promotes consumer independence by encouraging and teaching consumers to advocate for themselves.
7. Reliably attends all hearings for identified consumers and participates as needed to support the Court by testifying to the availability of resources/diversion alternatives.
8. Consistently offers assistance to expedite resolution of legal problems with careful consideration of F.S. 916 and F.S. 394 and related resources (e.g. form orders, precedents.)
9. Effectively provides education related to legal and mental issues to court personnel, other treatment providers, mental health consumers and their collateral supports.
10. Routinely conducts a minimum of monthly contact with consumer or collateral in order to provide support, facilitate movement through criminal justice system, and conduct ongoing assessment of mental health consumers.
11. Successfully develops and monitors Conditional Releases; reports to Court at a frequency defined by Court and as concerns arise (with special consideration of consumers’ needs and the safety of the community.)
12. Actively conducts visits with consumers at state treatment facilities at a frequency determined by supervisor.
13. Customarily completes all documentation requirements per SalusCare policy.
14. Satisfactorily demonstrates and models attitudes and knowledge consistent with co-occurring best-practice standards.
15. Consistently displays cultural competence and sensitivity and ensures services provided (ex. Assessments/evaluations, service planning, discharge planning) incorporate client-specific cultural values. Provide services that respect the varied identities people have based on race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender and gender identification, religion, spirituality, and mental, emotional and physical differences in abilities.
16. Routinely provides training for legal/judicial system related to mental health issues and related legal issues.
17. Independently manages daily schedule by prioritizing work responsibilities and individual consumer needs.
18. Actively maintains a minimum productivity level of 1,472 hours of direct service annually.
19. Actively participates in minimum of twice per month individual supervision meetings by presenting issues and ideas related to implementation of job duties and by receiving feedback related to job performance.
20. Consistently complies with mandates of: CARF, Federal Court Consent Decree, FAC 65-E15, DCF Contract, complies with SalusCare and Florida Certification Board Code of Ethics and SalusCare policies and procedures and routinely demonstrates a sound understanding of and commitment to compliance with these standards for the Diversion Program.
21. Routinely protects the client’s right to privacy and confidentiality according to laws and other governing rules when preparing and handling records, especially regarding the communication of client information with third-parties.
22. Reliably follows federal, state and other governing rules and regulations in order to promote and protect client rights.
23. Continuously maintains compliance with Staff Development training requirements.
24. Must complete certification with the Florida Certification Board within 6 months of hire as a Behavioral Health Case Manager and continue to adhere to this certification.
25. Effectively attains competence with Anasazi software and use it effectively within required time frames.
26. Successfully performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, criminal justice, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or a related human services field (a related human services field is one in which major course work includes the study of human behavior and development) and one year of full time or equivalent experience working with adults experiencing serious mental illness. Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and the appropriate level of automobile insurance coverage. Must have a reliable vehicle. Computer skills in Windows operating systems required.
Training Requirements: Completed or agrees to complete AHCA-approved mental health targeted case management training within three months of initially providing Medicaid services. Within 6 months must obtain Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Certification from Florida Certification Board.
