Jail - Mental Health Professional

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.

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Overtime Eligibile:

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Job Summary:

Job Description:

• Screens and assesses detained offenders for mental health concerns, particularly as it affects the physical safety of the offenders and others.
• Reviews detained offenders whose daily classification status indicates a physical threat to self and/or others. 
• Adjusts classification restrictions as indicated.
• Counsels offenders identified through observation, screening, assessment or referral as needing mental health services.
• Consults with a local Mental Health Professional, the offender’s current therapist, psychiatrist, chemical dependency counselor regarding interventions and discharge plans. 
• Coordinates mental health services with other departments, external organizations, Detention Services staff, and other agencies.
• Works with the in-house academy to provide suicide prevention and mental health trainings to all new hires and volunteers, with a unique curriculum that has been developed to provide effective education and training.
• Provides crisis risk assessments to incarcerated individuals who are either experiencing or acting on thoughts of harming themselves or others, which involves mitigating risk quickly, making choices about housing and safety, and providing relevant clinical and behavioral interventions as needed.
• Provides crisis response and intervention.
• Maintains a current database and all necessary documentation of services including, but not limited to: screening, assessment, referral, counseling, consultation, behavioral and treatment plans, and agency administrative paperwork.
• Participates and successfully completes all training requirements at the direction of the Detention – Mental Health Manager.
• Identifies and provides transition services (as available) to persons with mental illness to expedite and facilitate their return to the community.
• Resources with other community agencies to provide post incarceration housing, medical, and mental health services on an on-going basis.
• Determines Medicaid eligibility and facilitates reinstatement of Medicaid and/or other appropriate social services.
• Serves as a court liaison, and provides court testimony.
• Develops and maintains curriculum a for the in-house academy to educate new hires and volunteers.
• Provides clinical training and oversite to interns if applicable.
• Assists the Detention – Chief  in drafting departmental mental health policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology or related behavioral health field.
• Two (2) years of experience in direct treatment of persons with mental illness or emotional disturbance, such experience gained under the supervision of mental health professional.
• Possess and retain current registration in a mental health profession in the state of Washington or actively in the process of obtaining current mental health profession licensure in the state of Washington to be received within two (2) years of hire. 
• Possession of a valid Washington Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment may be required when travel is required of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of mental health and chemical dependency issues, normal and abnormal human development, developmental disabilities, and abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of currently accepted principles and best practices in the treatment of mental health and chemical dependency issues, normal and abnormal human development, developmental disabilities, and abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and local laws for voluntary admissions and involuntary commitments, restraints, and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of outpatient resources available through other allied providers.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with mental health staff, physicians, departments, supervisors and inmate population.
• Ability to provide referral to appropriate mental health providers regarding assessment and treatment.
• Ability to manage aggressive and harmful behaviors.
• Ability to deal with offenders, co-workers, and the public in a tactful, calm, and courteous and professional manner often in stressful situations.
• Ability to perform duties independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, particularly with diverse client populations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in addressing a variety of problems and situations.
• Ability to understand and support clinical services and treatment plans.
• Ability to liaison with corrections staff.
• Ability to handle interruptions efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to effectively use interpersonal communication skills to avoid or defuse tense or hostile offenders.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:

• Respect:   Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness.  Communicating in a productive and professional manner.   
• Accountability:   Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity:   Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation:   Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS  

• The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.

Total Compensation:

Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

• Benefits | Spokane County, WA