Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist

About the role

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property. CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use. Central State Hospital is recruiting for an Assistant Forensic Coordinator (Pretrial) Psychologist who will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of competency restoration services and therapeutic programming for pre-trial patients. This role provides critical training and consultation to staff and treatment teams to ensure clinical practices align with patients’ legal needs, while also monitoring key data points to evaluate program effectiveness and guide future initiatives. The psychologist will conduct forensic evaluations as assigned, support treatment teams through the evaluation process, and contribute to patient-flow meetings. Working collaboratively with forensic leadership, this position helps ensure that all forensic patients are evaluated and treated under legally sufficient court orders. The successful candidate will model professionalism, support least restrictive interventions, demonstrate cultural awareness, and maintain clinical competence as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia, along with completing all mandatory training and other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of competency restoration services and therapeutic programming for pre‑trial patients.
• Provide critical training and consultation to staff and treatment teams to align clinical practices with patients’ legal needs.
• Monitor key data points to evaluate program effectiveness and guide future initiatives.
• Conduct forensic evaluations as assigned and support treatment teams through the evaluation process.
• Contribute to patient‑flow meetings.
• Work collaboratively with forensic leadership to ensure all forensic patients are evaluated and treated under legally sufficient court orders.
• Model professionalism, support least restrictive interventions, demonstrate cultural awareness, and maintain clinical competence as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Virginia.
• Complete all mandatory training and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an accredited doctoral program.
• Licensed or license‑eligible as a Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Completion of ILPPP Basic Forensic Evaluation Training or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical supervision, forensic evaluation, or treatment within a forensic setting.

Qualifications

• Prior supervisory/management and/or process improvement experience preferred.

Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of forensic psychology, including knowledge of legal issues related to evaluation and case law in Virginia.
• Strong training and program management skills/experience.
• Ability to communicate with external stakeholders, including court personnel and other DBHDS facilities.
• Strong consultation skills and ability to provide expert feedback to clinical treatment teams.

Benefits

• Choice of health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Retirement plans
• 13 paid holidays
• Annual leave
• Family personal leave
• Sick leave
• Employee discount programs
• More!

Pay

Hiring Range: $126,321.00 - $166,723.00

Schedule

The position follows a standard five‑day, eight‑hour work schedule. Most staff work either 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Work hours may vary based on departmental needs, and final schedules will be confirmed upon hire.