CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST I/CORRECTIONAL HEALTH

About the role

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Clinical Psychologist I vacancies related to the DOJ Consent Decree. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

This position involves serving as a staff psychologist by applying psychological principles in areas such as assessment, treatment, research, training, and clinical consultation. Essential functions include conducting diagnostic evaluations, assessing diversion suitability, providing updates to the court, and collaborating with probation officers, law enforcement, and other justice partners.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a staff psychologist by applying psychological principles in the following major areas: assessment, treatment, research, training, and clinical consultation.
• Conduct diagnostic evaluations of inmates in lock-up settings to determine clients' post-release level of care needs and mental health needs while in custody.
• Afford forensic psychological training to assess diversion suitability and competency to stand trial.
• Provide updates to the court on a regular basis; present in court for all necessary hearings; and provide testimony on behalf of clients.
• Assist providers to understand the needs of the court, requirements for treatment, and legal standards for the specific penal code section applicable to the clients.
• Act as a consultant about competency evaluations to other clinicians.
• Assist judicial officers and attorneys understand availability of services to facilitate realistic understanding of treatment possibilities.
• Provide liaison services between court officers and treatment providers.
• Answer legal questions about clients with attorneys and mental health providers.
• Assure the court receives timely progress report updates according to the court orders.
• Understand legal stipulations and take those stipulations into consideration when developing care plans.
• Collaborate with and offer mental health training to probation officers, law enforcement, and other justice partners who will work with the population of clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Evaluate client response to treatment, modify treatment strategies, and include the client as part of the decision-making process.
• Utilize a variety of treatment modalities such as psychotherapy, behavior modification, and various evidence-based or promising practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• Review relevant records and information from both the criminal justice system and the mental health system when making treatment recommendations.
• Retrieve the reports for the court as needed.

Requirements

• A Doctorate from an accredited university in Psychology, Educational Psychology, education with the field of specialization in Counseling Psychology, or in a discipline deemed equivalent by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology.
• A waiver issued by the California Department of Mental Health in accordance with Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5751.1-2. Waivers for newly-trained psychologists shall not exceed five years from the commencement of employment in California, or as currently defined by the State Welfare & Institutions Code. Waivers for out-of-state psychologists shall not exceed one year from date of employment in California, or as currently defined in the State Welfare & Institutions Code.
• Post Doctorate Degree experience as a Psychologist.

Qualifications

Physical Class II - Light: Light physical effort which may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit, and some bending, stooping or squatting. Considerable walking may be involved.

Skills

Essential skills include the ability to conduct diagnostic evaluations, assess diversion suitability, provide updates to the court, and collaborate with justice partners. Proficiency in forensic psychology and treatment modalities such as psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy are also required.

Benefits

Details on benefits are not specified in the job posting.

Pay

Details on pay are not specified in the job posting.

Schedule

Details on schedule are not specified in the job posting.