Forensic Discharge Planner

Annual Salary: $ 55,999

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Job Summary:

The Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board is seeking a dedicated Forensic Discharge Planner to enhance discharge planning and re-entry case support for individuals with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in custody at the local Jails and returning to the community. This role is crucial in ensuring the continuity of care and seamless transition from incarceration to community-based services.

Key Responsibilities:

The Forensic Discharge Planner will collaborate with local jails, providers, community agencies, and program participants to provide ongoing support and eliminate fragmentation, duplication, or gaps in care and treatment. The planner will enhance care coordination for seriously mentally ill inmates from within the jail environment and maintain involvement through their release to community-based services. This role involves performing behavioral health consultation, screening, short-term targeted interventions, and case management dedicated to transitional care and re-entry into treatment services. The planner will provide early diversion intervention and restoration of competency services for individuals in correctional care or at risk of incarceration or state hospital orders. As a member of the agency's Forensic Services Team, the planner will support clients with SMI, co-occurring substance use disorders, intellectual developmental disabilities, homelessness, HIV positivity, and a history of incarceration or psychiatric hospitalizations. The planner will provide clinical consultation to case management supervisors and other agency clinical staff to ensure effective and responsive services. Participation in the initial assessment of clients' needs with serious mental health and co-occurring diagnoses is required, serving as a basis for subsequent service planning and referral. The planner will offer direct short-term intensive clinical services to a small caseload of consumers following release from the regional jail until transition to other clinical programs. The incumbent will ensure agency policies are followed and oversee the disbursement of agency monies to support reentry needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):

The ideal candidate for the Forensic Discharge Planner position will have thorough knowledge of interviewing and clinical assessment skills relevant to the client population served, extensive knowledge of community resources, and a comprehensive understanding of local, state, and regional resources and programs for the seriously mentally ill, intellectual developmental disability, and substance-abusing population, including those with co-occurring disorders. An in-depth knowledge of the symptoms, common behavioral and social characteristics, and other manifestations of the disabilities affecting the client population served is essential. The ability to observe, evaluate, and interpret behavior and to form accurate diagnostic impressions using the DSM-5 is required. The candidate must demonstrate the ability to plan and use effective interventions for persons with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, possess knowledge and understanding of the addiction process, and have strong oral and written communication skills. Familiarity with SSI/SSDI and Medicaid/Medicare application processes is necessary. The ability to maintain accurate documentation within electronic health records and knowledge of community resources available to inmates is required. The candidate must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, build rapport with the client population served, and be proficient in preparing and maintaining narrative and statistical records and related reports. Excellent problem-solving skills, organizational skills, and high motivation are essential.

Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in Human Services and three (3) years of direct care experience in case management and counseling services to the client population assigned; individuals with Serious mental Illness (SMI). Experience working with multiple community agencies coordinating health care plans and interventions. Forensic experience preferred. Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP-A) Preferred. Valid Driver's License.

The selected candidate must successfully pass a criminal history fingerprint background investigation, DMV record check, Child Registry search, drug screening test and employment reference checks.