Psychiatric Evaluation Specialist

SUMMARY

You could be just the right applicant for this job Read all associated information and make sure to apply.
The responsibilities of the Psychiatric Evaluation Specialist (PES) include providing mental status/diagnostic evaluations and related evidence-based interventions, suicide risk assessment, and mental health treatment planning for resident-patients. The incumbent will monitor resident-patients throughout their incarceration and may provide both individual and group treatment to improve the overall functioning of the resident-patient. Additionally, to assist in more streamlined continuity of care, the incumbent will ensure appropriate referral to diversion or treatment and may provide testimony in court (ITA) regarding inmate-patients.

The incumbent will make psychiatric housing decisions and refer resident-patients to community mental health providers or into involuntary treatment, as needed. Responsibilities will also include performing chart review / triage functions, providing training on areas of expertise, consultation with other professions, community outreach and engagement, and participating in ongoing process improvement efforts within King County Public Health and Jail Health Services.

Jail Health Services (JHS) provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails - King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services. We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our division includes over 250 employees and an annual budget of over $60 million.

The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is To assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail.

Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails. For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided. Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population.

JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all - in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit

Work Schedule
The work hours will be 40 hours per week; primarily day shift and includes some evening and weekend coverage.

Work Location
The work associated with this position will be performed on-site
at both King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Downtown Seattle and the
Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, depending on business needs.
JOB DUTIES
• Conduct diagnostic assessment in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5-TR); provide evidence based individual and group therapeutic intervention based on the specific psychiatric needs of the patient(s); make referrals to other disciplines (including medical professionals).
• Detect and provide intervention for symptoms of mental illness, developmental disability, suicide-risk and depressed inmate-patients; determine need for involuntary treatment; develop a treatment plan; and provide witness testimony regarding patient's presentation and behavior.
• Assess for substance dependence, abuse, intoxication, withdrawal, and other substance-related disorders. Provide brief interventions and refer appropriately for longer term care and when acuity is present.
• Collaborate and coordinate with JHS Social Services staff to ensure continuity of care and referral to community mental health services and other resources.
• Make psychiatric housing decisions within the jail; assess need for additional intervention and mental status evaluations and provide additional intervention(s) when needed; and track patient's progression through the legal system.
• Develop mental health treatment plans; communicate and coordinate care with Psychiatric Providers and other JHS staff; act as liaison between the patient, correctional staff and courts to ensure diversion or release for appropriate treatment.
• Attend regularly scheduled team meetings to review cases and utilization of various treatment approaches.
• Provide in-service training to all health and corrections staff on various areas of expertise, including suicide prevention.
• Ongoing commitment to promoting Equity and Social Justice within Jail Health Services.
• Ongoing commitment to understanding how the intersections of patient social identities and experiences impact engagement and connection to community-based services.
EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS
Minimum:
• Master's or Doctoral degree in psychology, social work, clinical counseling, or a related field, from an accredited university.
• Independent licensure as a psychologist, mental health counselor, clinical independent social worker, marriage and family therapist or recognized alternate licensure in Washington State.
• Ongoing commitment to learning, understanding, and effective application of anti-racist practices when working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
• Ongoing commitment to learning, understanding and effective application of culturally humble practices when working with marginalized identities, including the LGBTQIA+, immigrant and refugee communities.
• Working knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5- TR) and ability to make a differential diagnosis.
• Working knowledge and past experience with evidence-based practices for the treatment of mood, psychotic, and personality disorders.
• Working knowledge of the principles of behavior and motivation.
• Working knowledge of psychiatric medication.
• Knowledge of the Washington State Criminal Code, rules of court procedure and legal definition of competency.
• Knowledge of community mental health resources and criteria for providing services.
• Working knowledge of personality disorders and malingering and how to differentiate these from other psychiatric disorders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Suicide-risk assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability to perform psychological and behavioral interventions.
• Demonstrated skill in defusing hostile or violent behavior.
• Demonstrated ability to perform evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Demonstrated ability to detect the signs, symptoms and behavioral effects of depression, mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Demonstrated skill in gathering clinical data to establish a diagnosis.
• Demonstrated skill in gathering and interpreting court and law enforcement records pertaining to a particular patient's case.

Desired:
• Proficiency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, African Languages, or Chinese Languages.
• Experience working in correctional facilities and/or inpatient psychiatric hospitals.
• Experience working with electronic medical record systems.
• Experience working on continuous process improvement systems.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our "True North" . click apply for full job details

---