Psychologist III - Forensic Psychologist

DHRM•Danville, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute (SVMHI), a 72-bed state psychiatric hospital in Danville, Virginia, is seeking a forensic psychologist to support patient recovery and answer mental health questions for courts and jails. Most of the hospital’s patient population is forensic. The psychologist works with individuals acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity, defendants ordered to competency restoration, and inmates ordered for pre- and post-trial treatment. The role also addresses forensic referral questions and provides treatment update reports to jails, attorneys, and courts. The position offers exposure to a broad range of forensic referral questions, legal codes, diagnoses, and patient presentations, with access to didactic training, webinars, and expert consultation. The forensic psychologist works as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team and applies psychological assessment and clinical skills in a state psychiatric hospital setting.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in psychology (e.g., Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from an American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited program or equivalent accrediting body recognized by the Virginia licensing board, as required for licensure eligibility.
Completion of a predoctoral internship accredited by the APA or an equivalent accrediting body, as required for licensure eligibility under Code of Virginia Regulation 18VAC125-20-54E.
Experience as a doctoral-level psychologist working with forensically involved individuals with mental illness.
Must hold or be able to obtain a Virginia Department of Health Professions Licensed Clinical Psychologist license within 12 months of hire and maintain licensure throughout employment.
Must hold or be able to complete DBHDS forensic certification through the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy (ILPPP) within 12 months of hire.
Comprehensive knowledge of psychological principles, practices, and ethical standards.
Strong diagnostic evaluation, treatment-planning, and psychotherapy skills.
Proficiency in administering and scoring basic psychological testing instruments.
Proficiency in assessing and treating individuals with a variety of clinical presentations.
Familiarity with psychosocial rehabilitation and the recovery model.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to analyze behavior patterns and develop behavioral assistance plans.
Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Strong crisis management skills.
Ability to present and testify effectively in court.
Basic computer skills, including word processing and computerized test scoring.
Adherence to high professional practice standards demonstrated through training in programs meeting national psychology accreditation standards.
Successful fingerprint-based criminal history check, drug screen, and reference checks are required.
Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for infection prevention or outbreak management.

Nice To Haves

Forensic certification by Virginia’s Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy.
Board certification in forensic psychology.

Responsibilities

Assist patients in their recovery.
Answer mental health questions for courts and jails.
Work with individuals acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity, defendants ordered for competency restoration, and inmates ordered for pre- and post-trial treatment.
Respond to forensic referral questions.
Provide treatment update reports to jails, attorneys, and courts.
Conduct diagnostic evaluations, develop treatment plans, and provide psychotherapy.
Administer and score basic psychological testing instruments.
Assess and treat individuals with a variety of clinical presentations.
Analyze behavior patterns and develop behavioral assistance plans.
Work effectively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Manage crises and present or testify in court as needed.

Benefits

$8,000 sign-on bonus for candidates new to state service who remain employed with the facility for one year.
13 paid holidays.
12 or more paid vacation days per year.
8 paid sick days per year.
4 or more paid family personal days per year.
Family Medical Leave.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Low-cost, comprehensive Anthem or AETNA health insurance benefits.
Group life and optional life insurance.
Flexible Reimbursement accounts.
Referral bonuses.
Virginia 529 College Savings Plan may be available for this role.
State employee discounts and other benefits.