Clinical Assessment Specialist (Adult Probation)

Harris County•Houston, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Clinical Assessment Specialist (CAS) at the Centralized Assessment and Screening Team (CAST), you will be at the intersection of clinical insight and the criminal justice system informing judicial decision making and setting the foundation that is essential to the success of clients placed on community supervision. The CAS will accurately assess each client’s risk, needs and responsivity factors as well as completing psychological evaluations assessing for substance use, mental health and/or dual diagnosis issues, and identify appropriate supervision and intervention needs for these criminal justice-involved individuals. You will be informing judicial decisions and guiding the pathway for client’s success on community supervision and beyond. The CAS conducts these comprehensive assessments utilizing the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) to evaluate clients’ criminogenic risk and needs through clinical client interviews and collateral record reviews as well evaluate any mental health and/or substance abuse issues. The CAS prepares detailed and comprehensive reports that summarize assessment findings and formulates recommendations regarding supervision and intervention levels, and the reports are shared with the Court and HCCSCD personnel in making informed placement decisions for clients.

Requirements

Master’s or Doctorate degree in psychology or counseling.
Competency in clinical assessment. clinical disorders, differential diagnosis, current treatment methods, and in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5-TR is required.
Proficiency in report writing, including the appropriate use of grammar and spelling, is required.
Can provide clinical supervision for Licensed Psychological Associate and Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate as needed.
Must become Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) certified and maintain certification within the first two attempts. Failure to pass the certification may result in termination of employment.
Must have a valid Texas Class C Automobile Operator’s License or possess a current Texas Identification Card.

Nice To Haves

Work experience and/or clinical training in correctional/forensic settings and/or psychological testing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive assessments by administering various components of the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) and the Centralized Assessment and Screening Team (CAST) interview process to assist individuals in the criminal justice system.
Obtains and reviews collateral information from various criminal justice databases in preparation for conducting assessments with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Conducts thorough client interviews, applying professional and clinical judgement to ask pertinent follow-up and clarifying questions. These interviews may be conducted in person or virtually.
Evaluate findings form the client interview and collateral records to effectively score the Texas Risk Assessment (TRAS) tool, determine the presence of substance abuse and/or mental health disorders, and synthesizes assessment and testing results and produces a clinical formulation.
Composes detailed and professionally written reports that include pertinent information gathered throughout the assessment process, which include details from client interviews, collateral sources, TRAS results, diagnostic findings, and potential psychological testing. Strong writing abilities are essential for success in this function.
Utilizes assessment results to formulate individual recommendations concerning a client’s level of intervention, suggested programs, and case management strategies. Assessment reports and recommendations are shared with the Court and Department personnel to make informed decisions on the appropriate placement of clients.
Adept in assessment administration and interpretation related to personality, dual diagnosis, serious mental illness, and malingering as needed.
Proficient in use of diagnostic tools and screening instruments for substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and personality disorders.
Assists in providing consultation to the Courts and Community Supervision Officers regarding clients with mental illness and/or substance abuse problems.
Assists in training departmental staff of the latest developments in the mental health and substance abuse fields.
Maintains professional and effective communication, including email correspondence, with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, court personnel, law enforcement officials, CSCD personnel, victims, and community members.
Maintains membership and active participation in professional mental health organizations.
Participate in clinical and interdisciplinary staffing.
Participate in team, unit and departmental meetings.
Travel to Court, other HCCSCD locations for assessments, meetings, training, etc. is required as needed.
Testify in a court setting.
Operates office equipment, computers, phones, telecommunication devices and other necessary required tools.
Works collaboratively with other personnel.
Fosters a positive work environment by communicating and behaving cooperatively, respectfully and amicably with supervisors, co-workers and the public.
Perform other related duties as assigned.