BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN (CORRECTIONS)

State of careers Rhode Island • Cranston, RI

20h • $84,783 - $95,517 • Onsite

About The Position

Within the Department of Corrections (DOC), the Behavioral Health Clinician applies mental health counseling fundamentals in the diagnosis and treatment of patients or persons in a correctional custody environment. The objective is to remove or alleviate social, emotional, or environmental problems of patients and promote their return to a normal and effective pattern of living. This role involves analyzing and evaluating cases, formulating diagnoses, developing and revising treatment plans, and providing crisis intervention, including suicide prevention. The clinician will also provide a continuum of care for severely and persistently mentally ill patients, consult with psychiatrists and psychologists, and offer clinical consultation to other staff members. Participation in multi-disciplinary treatment planning meetings is also a key aspect of the role.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited program and possession of a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Social Work, Psychology/Forensic Psychology or a related clinical field.
• At least two years of employment in a clinical position in the provision of clinical and psychological services.
• At the time of appointment, must possess and maintain licensure as a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC); licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW); licensed clinical social worker (LCSW); licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT); licensed psychologist or be actively in process of obtaining such licensure in compliance with the requirements of the State of Rhode Island.
• Thorough knowledge of mental health counseling techniques and fundamentals used to diagnosis patient pathologies.
• Working knowledge of evidence based treatment interventions and their application in a clinical correctional setting.
• Working knowledge of predictive risk factors for suicide and the appropriate interventions used to mitigate suicide risk in a correctional setting.
• Working knowledge of the identification and treatment of patients designated severely and persistently mentally ill.
• Working knowledge of crisis intervention and deescalation techniques.
• Working knowledge of treatment planning techniques.
• Ability to work independently in the assessment of pathology and the development of treatment plans.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
• Ability to compose and revise treatment plans in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues and maintain effective relationships.
• Ability to collaborate with probation and parole, classification, custody, outside agencies and other units as necessary.
• Ability to gather information pertaining to custodial investigations.
• Ability to document pertinent information in a clinical record.
• Ability to compose reports as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a correctional environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Apply mental health counseling fundamentals in the diagnosis and treatment of patients or persons in a correctional custody environment.
• Analyze and evaluate cases and recommend findings regarding the relationship and interaction between the patient's social situation and psychiatric pathology.
• Formulate initial and ongoing diagnoses and develop and revise treatment plans according to patient requirements.
• Consider social, emotional, or environmental factors to inform mental health counseling interventions.
• Provide initial and ongoing crisis intervention, including the identification of predictive risk factors for suicide and the implementation of a comprehensive suicide prevention treatment program.
• Provide a continuum of care to patients designated severely and persistently mentally ill.
• Consult with a psychiatrist or psychologist when serving as a member of a clinical team concerning the assignment of new patients and their later diagnosis and treatment; on predischarge and after-care planning.
• Provide clinical consultation to staff members, including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other personnel.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment planning meetings with superiors, a psychiatrist, or other professional personnel to meet the needs of patients.
• Provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment of inmates.
• Assist patients in facilitating their return to an adaptive and effective pattern of living.
• Engage in a multi-disciplinary team approach, working with the psychiatry staff, medical and para-medical staff, and security staff for the care of the patient.

Benefits

• Information regarding benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees can be found on the Office of Employee Benefits' website.
• Direct deposit for all employees is required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level