Psychiatric Evaluation Specialist
- Summary
Jail Health Services, a division of Public Health Seattle & King County, is recruiting for two (2) full time, Psychiatric Evaluation Specialist positions to work in the two King County adult correctional facilities:
1. The King County Correctional Facility in Seattle, WA.
2. Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, WA.
The Position: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 jail inmate-patients. The incumbent will monitor inmate-patients throughout their incarceration and may provide both individual and group treatment to improve the overall functioning of the inmate-patient. Additionally, to assist in more streamlined continuity of care, the incumbent will possess a working understanding of available, community diversion and treatment opportunities. PES staff may provide testimony in court (ITA) regarding inmate-patients. PES staff make psychiatric housing decisions and refer inmate-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.
As the only jurisdiction in the world 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.
We have 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 vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.Who May Apply
These full-time positions are open to all qualified applicants.
Work Schedule
This position will work a schedule determined by the program manager, based on need; i.e. current inmate-patient population. The work hours will be 40 hours per week; days, and may include evening and weekend coverage.
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly On-Site.PES staff are expected to be able to work 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 formal diagnostic assessment in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5); provide evidence based individual and group therapeutic intervention based on the specific psychiatric needs of the inmate-patient(s); make referrals to other disciplines (including medical professionals). Detect and provide intervention for chronic mental illness, developmental disability, suicide-risk and depressed inmate-patients; determine need for involuntary treatment; develop a treatment plan; and provide witness testimony regarding inmate-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.
- Conduct case management and follow up. Work with Social Services to ensure continuity of care and referral to community mental health services.
- 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 inmate-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 inmate-patient, correctional staff and courts to ensure diversion or release for appropriate treatment.
- Lead or attend regularly scheduled unit 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.
- Attend various community organizational meetings as representative of JHS and provide trainings on the operations and services of JHS.
- Conduct formal diagnostic assessment in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5); provide evidence based individual and group therapeutic intervention based on the specific psychiatric needs of the inmate-patient(s); make referrals to other disciplines (including medical professionals). Detect and provide intervention for chronic mental illness, developmental disability, suicide-risk and depressed inmate-patients; determine need for involuntary treatment; develop a treatment plan; and provide witness testimony regarding inmate-patient's presentation and behavior.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- 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.
- Working knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5) 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 inmate-patients.
- Demonstrated ability to detect the signs, symptoms and behavioral effects of depression, mental illness and substance use disorders/
- Demonstrated skill in gathering clinical and psychiatric data to establish a diagnosis.
- Demonstrated skill in gathering and interpreting court and law enforcement records pertaining to a particular inmate-patient's case.
Desired Qualifications:- 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.
- Master's or Doctoral degree in psychology, social work, clinical counseling, or a related field, from an accredited university.
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently 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", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.Application processApplications will be reviewed after the job posting closes. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line or paper application
- Supplemental questionnaire responses
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Please do not use "see resume" in your application or answers to supplemental questions as these will be considered incomplete.
Please do not copy and paste your entire resume, or copy and paste your entire job history, as your answers to the supplemental questions as these will be considered incomplete.
You may attach multiple documents if you wish:
- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the standard information in the application. Providing information only in a resume will not be considered a complete application.
Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the process.
The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation. In the event the job classification requires an exam; an offer of employment will be contingent on passing a pre-employment physical exam and must maintain security clearance.
Supplemental Information
This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspx
Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Applicants from this job posting may be used to fill temporary or other positions in this classification for a period of up to a 6 months.
Additional InformationPublic Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:
- Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
- Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
- Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.
Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone.
The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.
Union affiliationLocal 21ContactFor more information about the application process please contact Alexis Owens at alowens@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Have you earned a Master's or Doctoral Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Clinical Counseling, or a related field from an accredited university?
- Yes
- No
02Please indicate certification or licensure, which you possess for the State of Washington. If you indicated other licensure/certification, please describe (Check all that apply.)- Licensed Psychologist
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Licensed Mental Health Professional
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
- Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP)
- Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee (CDPt)
- Other (Please Describe)
- None
03If you selected "Other" as one of your selections in question number 2, please describe. If not applicable, type N/A04Please provide a detailed description of your experience performing psychiatric assessments / mental status examinations and conducting formal diagnostic testing in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5). If you do not have this experience, then type N/A.05Please provide a detailed description of your experience working with evidence-based treatment modalities. Please include a description of the intervention type, diagnosis/disability/symptom for which the intervention was used with outcome, and population with whom the intervention was used.06Please provide your experience working with patients with serious mental illness, including assessment for developmental disability and risk of harm to self and/or others. As part of your answer, please include agency name(s), the span of time, and the scope of your responsibilities. If you do not have this experience, then type N/A.07Please provide a detailed description of your experience assessing the need for involuntary treatment. If you do not have this experience, then type N/A.08Do you have experience providing testimony in a judicial setting regarding a patient's presentation and behavior?- Yes
- No
09Do you have experience working in correctional facilities and/or psychiatric hospitals?- Yes
- No
10Do you have experience working with electronic medical record systems?- Yes
- No
11Are you willing and able to work at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle and the Regional Justice Center in Kent, as assigned?- Yes
- No
12Are you willing and able to work schedules which require some evening and weekend hours?- Yes
- No
13Please indicate languages other than English in which you have some degree of oral proficiency. (Please put N/A if none)14Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
15If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question