The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state.

This position is located at Georgia Regional Hospital Atlanta (GRHA). Located on 174 Acres in DeKalb County, GRHA operates 300 licensed, accredited inpatient beds in three major program areas: Adult Mental Health, Forensic Services, and Developmental Disabilities. This position falls within Forensic Services.

Under supervision of the hospital’s Forensic Director, successful candidates will be responsible for the completion of criminal forensic evaluations and the treatment of criminal defendants.

Job Responsibilities & Performance Standards

·     Conducts face-to-face forensic mental health evaluations to answer questions of competency to stand trial and/or criminal responsibility. 

·     Conducts forensic risk assessments and other psychological testing on individuals admitted to an inpatient forensic unit.

·     Completes comprehensive annual reviews and develops opinions regarding the need for civil commitment.

·     Provides expert witness testimony as a neutral friend to the court.

·     Participation on the recovery planning (treatment) team including participation in the development of individualized recovery (treatment) plans.

·     Facilitation of group treatment, psycho-educational interventions, and other individualized therapies.

·     Creation and implementation of behavioral plans.

·     Documentation of treatment progress.

·     Clinical supervision of master’s level mental health counselors as well as doctoral trainees. GRHA trains practicum students, interns in our APA-accredited internship program, and postdoctoral trainees.

·     Related work as assigned.

Qualifications

Doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university AND current Georgia license to practice psychology. License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent. Applicants may also be "license eligible,” if able to obtain licensure within a reasonable time (i.e. relocation from another state). Note: Completion of the state's Competency to Stand Trial Certification process within one year of hire is required for continued employment.

Successful candidates should also possess knowledge of abnormal psychology, pertinent legal statutes and case law related to the practice of forensic psychology, malingering assessment tools, intellectual testing, personality assessment, experience providing group therapy, experience on an interdisciplinary team, best practices in mental health treatment, and ethical/professional guidelines for the practice of forensic psychology.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, DBHDD is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits. DBHDD is also a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), visit Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid.

Other Employment Requirements

For this type of employment, state law requires a national and state background check as a condition of employment. Also, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations and/or vaccinations.

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees:

·     Drug Screening

·     TB Evaluation

·     Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

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