Behavioral Health Clinician (Corrections)

State of careers Rhode Island • Cranston, RI

6h • Onsite

About The Position

Within the Department of Corrections (DOC), to apply mental health counseling fundamentals in the diagnosis and treatment of patients or persons in a correctional custody environment with the objective to remove or alleviate social, emotional, or environmental problems of patients and promote their return to a normal and effective pattern of living; and to do related work as required. The Behavioral Health Clinician will provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment of inmates at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. Assignments will include individual casework, assisting patients in facilitating their return to an adaptive and effective pattern of living, as well as engaging 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.

Requirements

• A thorough knowledge of mental health counseling techniques and fundamentals used to diagnosis patient pathologies.
• A working knowledge of evidence based treatment interventions and their application in a clinical correctional setting.
• A working knowledge of predictive risk factors for suicide and the appropriate interventions used to mitigate suicide risk in a correctional setting.
• A working knowledge of the identification and treatment of patients designated severely and persistently mentally ill.
• A working knowledge of crisis intervention and deescalation techniques.
• A working knowledge of treatment planning techniques.
• The ability to work independently in the assessment of pathology and the development of treatment plans.
• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
• The ability to compose and revise treatment plans in a clear and concise manner.
• The ability to build relationships with colleagues and maintain effective relationships.
• The ability to collaborate with probation and parole, classification, custody, outside agencies and other units as necessary.
• The ability to gather information pertaining to custodial investigations.
• The ability to document pertinent information in a clinical record.
• The ability to compose reports as necessary.
• 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.

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 with the objective to remove or alleviate social, emotional, or environmental problems of patients and promote their return to a normal and effective pattern of living.
• 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 to develop and revise treatment plans according to patient requirements.
• Consider social, emotional, or environmental factors to inform mental health counseling interventions directed towards helping the patient accept the diagnosis of their illness or problem and participate in and respond to behavioral health treatment measures.
• 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 consisting of targeted treatment interventions addressing acute symptomology and significant functional impairment, ranging from treatment in a residential unit to management in general population.
• 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 when released from an observational clinical environment.
• Provide clinical consultation to staff members, including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other personnel, working towards the objective of the recovery and return of patients to a normal and effective pattern of living.
• As a member of a clinical team, participate in multi-disciplinary treatment planning meetings with superiors, a psychiatrist, or other professional personnel to meet the needs of patients.
• Do related work as required.

Benefits

• For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.
• Direct deposit for all employees (required for new hires after September 30, 2014).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees