Benefits:
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Benefits/Perks
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
403b
PTO
Paid Holidays
Flexible Spending Account
Employee Assistance Program
Company Overview
Mental Health Resource Center is a not-for-profit Florida corporation that provides a wide range of mental health and behavioral health care services to the community such as 24-hour emergency services, inpatient psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and adults as well as outpatient services such as medication management, case management, and counseling.
Job Summary
The Forensic Specialist is responsible for monitoring forensic issues for individuals who are diagnosed with a mental illness. These individuals are under court supervision adjudicated Incompetent to Proceed or Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity pursuant to Chapter 916 Florida Statutes. The Forensic Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with legal and judicial requirements, for monitoring hospitalized individuals monthly, and assisting in securing after care services upon discharge.
Responsibilities
Monitors mentally ill individuals in jail at risk for commitment to the department pursuant with Chapter 916, F.S. Advises the court evaluators and the attorneys of treatment alternatives for appropriate felony offenders including civil diversion and conditional release. Monitors the progress of persons in jail and/or community-based competency programs.
Maintains close working relationships with the local jail mental health staff to coordinate services and address mental health issues involving the department and local mental health and substance abuse providers. Maintains a copy of current jail medication formularies and provides the State Mental Health Program Office with copies for distribution to the state mental health treatment facilities.
Maintains close working relationships with the judicial assistants in the circuit, the Office of the Public Defender, the Office of the State Attorney and the Clerk of the Court’s Office. Develops a system for early notification of orders appointing experts and orders of commitment.
Assesses mental health status, needs in the community, and functioning level of the individuals served.
Completes overall assessment of the individual’s living situation and support system, strengths and weaknesses, needs and resources, and provides on-going assessments.
Attends all scheduled court hearings involving mentally ill individuals adjudicated or at risk of being adjudicated incompetent to proceed or not guilty by reason of insanity, including the determination of competency hearings.
Works closely with the individual, interested family members when authorized, the treatment facility service/treatment team, local mental health provider agency staff, the circuit SAMH office and placement sites to locate appropriate community placements and arranges for needed aftercare services for individuals determined appropriate for discharge.
Participates, upon request, in the state treatment facility’s development of the psychosocial assessment and the service/treatment plan. Provides the state treatment facilities service/treatment teams with all available community information required to assist with the individual’s treatment.
Works with Department of Children and Families Forensic Coordinator to facilitate proposed out-of-circuit placements, coordinating with counterparts in the receiving circuit to ensure continuity of care.
Upon return of a competent individual to jail and immediately after the first competency hearing date, ensures that a community case manager is assigned to facilitate follow-up services. Works closely with the state forensic and civil treatment facilities, the circuit SAMH office, local mental health providers, crisis stabilization units (CSU) and the courts to ensure the appropriate and timely disposition of five year incompetent to proceed cases.
Qualifications
In order to be considered, candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a major in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice or a related Human Services field (a related Human Services field in which major course work includes the study of human behavior or development) required.
One year of experience working with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance abuse treatment required.
Strong communication skills are essential and this individual must be able to interact appropriately with internal and external customers, including individuals served, families, caregivers, community service providers, supervisory staff and other department professionals.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook and use of the Internet are required.
Position Details This position is a Full Time Days position: Monday through Friday.
Renaissance Behavioral Health Systems and Mental Health Resource Center are Equal Opportunity Employers.