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Location

Lowell, MA | United States

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Job description

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking an experienced Forensic Psychologist who will provide forensic services and evaluation to individuals with mental illness and substance abuse who become involved with the courts and the criminal justice system; or who present with need for a risk assessment.

The incumbent will conduct court ordered evaluations and risk assessments for individuals at court or in community settings, and for patients within DMH facilities; court ordered forensic evaluations on pre-trial and post-adjudication defendants such as competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and aid in sentencing. The incumbent will conduct court statutory evaluations pertaining to involuntary commitment to the mental health or substance abuse inpatient systems; assess mental status and answer dispositional questions, providing the court with other non-statutory evaluations and with clinical consultation. The Psychologist also provides consultation to inpatient and community-based staff on forensic issues, participates in forensic education and training activities, and performs related work as required.

Please Note : The incumbent will be assigned to a primary site but will also cover cases and courts outside of the primary site as needed or assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provides timely court based evaluations for c ompetency to stand trial and criminal responsibility, pursuant to MGL c.123, §15(a), (b) and §15(f); aid in sentencing under §15(e); persons detained on Warrants of Apprehension for commitment of a mentally ill person under §12(e); commitment for observation and evaluation under §16(a); commitment under 16(b/c); hospitalizations of mentally ill prisoners under §18; determination of mental condition of parties or witnesses under §19; and evaluations of the commitment of an alcoholic under §35
• Conducts Forensic Risk Assessments as requested by the DMH Forensic Mental Health Services at DMH inpatient facilities or in community settings. This may involve meeting with patients and their treatment teams, reviewing patient’s records and making recommendations concerning inpatient privileges and/or community or inpatient treatment planning to the treatment providers.
• Provides testimony as requested by the court in role of expert witness and in conjunction with evaluations conducted for the purpose of providing assessment and evaluation concerning a client facing judicial proceedings.
• Provides consultation to the court and probation staff as well as to community providers who are involved with forensic clients (mental health agencies, DCF, DYS, DDS, schools, residential programs, etc.) through either referral from the court or probation staff or as a result of a request from a community provider or resulting from an evaluation on a client now being serviced by the community provider with the purpose of providing assessment and evaluation regarding mental status and/or dispositional questions.
• Establishes and maintains good working relationships with these sources and must be very knowledgeable about DMH priority populations and available services by maintaining regular contact with these agencies through regular meetings and training for the purpose of maintaining an effective job performance.
• Conducts psychological evaluations and psychological testing of individuals when clinically indicated, using assessment instruments that are generally accepted as reliable and valid in the field of psychology.
• Completes data entry and data collection forms as required by the Department of Mental Health.
• Maintains a current working knowledge of developments, trends, policies, and procedures in the generic mental health treatment system and in the provision of substance abuse services to persons involved in the civil and criminal justice system through training offered by Forensic Services and through regular and required continuing education as necessary to maintain a current license.
• Responsible for maintaining current level of expertise through obtaining of CEUs and other training.
• Provides clinical consultation on problematic cases being followed by other team staff, when requested, as an expectation of a collegial team relationship.
• Provides review and feedback on other team members’ evaluations, when requested, as an expectation of a collegial team relationship.
• Participates on committees, training and supervision as requested.

Required Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of types and symptoms of mental, emotional and substance abuse disorders.
• Ability (a) to recognize symptoms of mental, emotional and substance abuse disorders; (b) to interact with people who are experiencing varying levels of distress and dysfunction; and (c) to analyze psychological data, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Knowledge of behavioral techniques; familiarity with theories of psychotherapy and counseling, and an understanding of current treatment approaches available for individuals with serious mental illnesses, including sever personality disorders.
• Knowledge of human services and criminal justice systems.
• Ability to work under considerable time pressure, to work on multiple tasks at one time, and to produce high quality reports according to applicable standards and guidelines.
• Capacity to complete high quality written forensic reports and evaluations.
• Appointment as a designated forensic psychologist or eligibility to become a designated forensic psychologist within one year of date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of constituents.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form .

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.



MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:


Current and valid registration as a Psychologist by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Psychology. Applicants must also have at least three years of years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a Licensed Psychologist in the application of psychological principles and techniques in a recognized agency providing psychological services or treatment, of which (B) at least one year must have included supervision over Post-doctoral Psychologists-in-training and/or Psychological Assistants. Based on assignment, must meet the eligibility requirements for Designated Forensic Psychologist in 104 CMR 33.04(3)(b).


Special Requirements: Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

COVID Vaccine: As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Psychologist IV

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Lowell Judicial Center

Job : Medical Services

Agency : Department of Mental Health

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Feb 20, 2024, 1:34:26 PM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 93,917.72 - 152,897.16 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : William Herbert/[email protected] - 6173488473

Bargaining Unit : 07-MNA - Professional Health Care

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes

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