Forensic Interview Specialist

Job Summary:

As a member of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), the Forensic Interview Specialist must be trained in the prevention, identification, or treatment of child abuse/neglect and qualified to provide a range of services related to child abuse. In this MDT role, the Clinical Social Worker conducts forensically defensible interviews of children to aid investigators in clarifying questions of child abuse and child safety. This position requires a well-developed knowledge of the issues and dynamics of child abuse (particularly child sexual abuse), experience in crisis intervention, and cultural humility in working with a range of individuals of diverse ethnicities, gender identities, and other aspects of diversity. Knowledge of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) policy/procedures is beneficial.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide intake screening/scheduling services for forensic interview requests, and electronic documentation.
• Consultation and coordination of multiple agencies to prevent duplicative interviewing by DCFS social workers, child abuse detectives, prosecutors, state licensing investigators, probation/parole/FBI agents.
• Conduct digitally recorded, forensically defensible interviews of children to aid child protective investigators in clarifying questions of child safety/abuse or violent crime.
• Review records, consult with referring agency representatives (law enforcement, DCFS, state foster care licensing investigators, attorneys, judicial officials), interview primary caregiver for history relevant to the allegations (e.g., home environment, family relationships, alleged victim’s physical/mental health, etc.).
• During the interview process, facilitate inter-agency information sharing and team decision-making.
• Document MDT information sharing during the forensic interview and post-interview follow-up commitments, and provide this documentation for MDT Case Review and Case Tracking purposes.
• Provide or facilitate crisis intervention for children/families as needed (which may include screening or assessment of 5150/5585 status for imminence of suicidal/homicidal risk), and liaison between children interviewed at the MLK Hub and Mental Health, Clinical Social Work, and DCFS (when DCFS is involved).
• Provide or facilitate referral of children/families to address identified needs/concerns.
• Chart/document in hospital medical records and E-mHub electronic systems.
• Write forensic interview summary reports, and provide to investigating agencies in a timely manner.
• Testify in court as fact and/or expert witness, when subpoenaed.
• Participate in Case Tracking activities, including required contacts/outreach and documentation of results.
• Participate in monthly MDT Case Review, including identifying cases for review and coordinating review date.
• Participate in educational activities/training, including monthly literature review, peer review, and case review.
• Provide training/education to child abuse investigators, academic and professional organizations, and the local community, regarding child sexual abuse and multidisciplinary forensic evaluation.
• Receive continuing education/training to remain current with state-of-the-art forensically defensible interviewing and child abuse assessment, to continue professional development in social work practice.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Master’s degree in social work from a graduate school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education is required.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS (IF APPLICABLE):

• Active ACSW registration or Clinical Social Worker license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences is beneficial.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

SKILLS:

• Spanish-English bilingual preferred.
• Cultural humility in providing service to a range of individuals of diverse culture, ethnicity and gender identity, is required.
• Strong oral and writing skills required.
• Ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary team, with effective interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in MS Word and data entry skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, detail-oriented, HIPAA compliance and applicable confidentiality statutes.

COMPLEXITY:

• The ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing/obtaining information on numerous inquiries is paramount to success in this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasional stooping. Frequent standing. Constant walking, sitting, climbing, reaching high/low levels, finger movement, feeling, speaking clearly, hearing conversationally, and seeing far and near.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasionally required to work in confined space.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequent work on a variety of unrelated tasks. Constant calculating interrupted work, work on a variety of interrelated tasks, and use of sustained concentration, reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.
• On-site position

• COVID-19 Vaccination: As a health professions institution of higher education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science seeks to protect the health and safety of the University community. As a condition of enrollment and employment, proof of the newest COVID-19 booster will be required for CDU students, faculty, and staff entry to the CDU campus. Please note that vaccination requirements may change as our Federal, State, and local public health laws change. Requests for disability and religious accommodations from faculty and staff will be evaluated consistent with the law and University policies and procedures.

Compensation:

• $38-$41

Position Status:

• Part Time

Conditional Statement: The employment status of this position is classified as “Conditional”. Conditional employment means that the job exists contingent upon funding limitations of restricted funds or, the duration of a specific program, project, grant or contract. The duration of grant for this position is through December 31, 2024.

EEO Statement: Charles R. Drew University is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

Fair Chance Statement: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local “Fair Chance” laws.