Forensic Court Liaison - Behavioral Sciences Campus

UTHealth Houston•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

UTHealth Houston's Behavioral Sciences Campus' Forensic Department is hiring a Forensic Court Liaison! Our competency restoration program operates as a single integration across six units serving 29 counties. The court liaison will coordinate patient admissions and discharges to the hospital in accordance with applicable state laws and regulations; monitor and track each patient's commitment order to ensure the hospital remains in compliance with the allotted timeframe of the order; serve as a liaison between the hospital, court system, attorneys, and county representatives to ensure seamless coordination throughout the patient's stay; participate in performance improvement activities; attends 100% of staff meetings; and coordinate care for patients through communication with Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Senior Forensic Clinicians, Nurses, Attorneys, Judges, and other external stakeholders. Performs a combination of duties related to facilitating communication with the courts, administrative and/or clerical tasks to support the inpatient competency restoration program staff and patients committed under Art. 46B Incompetency to Stand Trial. Position Summary: Responsible for the coordination and implementation of the involuntary admission process. To provide efficient, quality services to patients regarding mental health warrants from the initial intake admission process to discharge. Coordination of getting the certificate of medical examinations completed timely, filing the applications for involuntary status and working with the court system to ensure compliance with state rules and regulations. To serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team supporting the organization's treatment program and philosophy and assure the deliverance of quality treatment to patients who are involuntary. Participates in performance improvement activities. Attends 100% of staff meetings. Coordinates care for patient through communication with Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Social Service Clinicians, Nursing, Attorneys, Judges, Assessment and Referrals Department.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent required
1 year of acute hospital, inpatient mental facility experience required.

Nice To Haves

Prior inpatient mental health commitment experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Evaluates new patient warrants every morning to check for accuracy.
Prepares involuntary list daily to send to Social Services Department Leadership Team.
Evaluates the involuntary paperwork on new patient's charts each morning to ensure paperwork is available for the psychiatrist's completion.
Files paperwork at court each day and keeps up with the Court closings and holidays to ensure compliance.
Communicates with psychiatrists to complete 2nd medical filings in accordance with requirements for involuntary status.
Communicates with attorneys for continuances of cases dependent upon discharge status of patients.
Notifies psychiatrists regarding probable cause and final hearing dates.
Submits discharge drop letters to the court within 24 hours of discharge.
Maintains an accurate account of all CME's (Certificate of Medical Examinations) monthly for the Director and Assistant Director of Social Services.
Explains the involuntary process to all patients and their families as requested.
Plans patient care in collaboration with all members of the healthcare team.
Consults with other departments, as appropriate, to collaborate in patient care and performance improvement activities.
Collaborates with other departments to identify operational problems and develop solutions/resolution.
Works with all members of the healthcare team to assure a collaborative approach is maintained in care and treatment of the patient.
Works closely with psychiatrists and Social Service Clinicians to ensure the timeliness of paperwork, treatment and discharge.
Participates in education on and implementation of Involuntary process with Intake Department.
Documentation meets current standards and policies.
Demonstrates an ability to be flexible, organized and function under stressful situations.
Maintains a good working relationship both within the department and with other departments.
Coordinates with team members all phases of the involuntary process by communicating any needs for the court process during their stay, (i.e. forced meds petition, pending expiration of warrant, etc.).
Performs other duties as assigned.