Psychiatric Evaluation Specialist - King County : Job Details

SUMMARYThe responsibilities of the Psychiatric Evaluation Specialist (PES) include providing mental status/diagnostic evaluations and related evidence-based interventions, suicide risk assessment, and mental health treatment planning for resident-patients. The incumbent will monitor resident-patients throughout their incarceration and may provide both individual and group treatment to improve the overall functioning of the resident-patient. Additionally, to assist in more streamlined continuity of care, the incumbent will ensure appropriate referral to diversion or treatment and may provide testimony in court (ITA) regarding inmate-patients. The incumbent will make psychiatric housing decisions and refer resident-patients to community mental health providers or into involuntary treatment, as needed. Responsibilities will also include performing chart review / triage functions, providing training on areas of expertise, consultation with other professions, community outreach and engagement, and participating in ongoing process improvement efforts within King County Public Health and Jail Health Services. Jail Health Services (JHS) provides needed health and social services to the incarcerated population located in the King County jails ? King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle, WA and Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, WA. The primary services we provide include medical, dental, mental health, social and release planning services, treatment of substance use disorders, and pharmaceutical services. We care about the patients we serve and their health outcomes. Our division includes over 250 employees and an annual budget of over $60 million. The purpose of JHS is to assure that high-quality health and human services are available to the incarcerated population in the King County adult correctional facilities: the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The JHS vision is Opening doors to healthier, happier lives, and the mission is To assess and stabilize serious health problems for the detained population of the King County Correctional Facility and the Maleng Regional Justice Center with a focus on transition from jail. Staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, JHS provides a broad range of health care to all individuals booked into the jails. For patients with serious mental health or medical conditions, special housing units (psychiatric and infirmary) along with a higher level of services and medical monitoring are provided. Since the patient population varies both in numbers as well as in acuity of health conditions, staffing is adapted and flexed to meet the constantly changing needs of the population. JHS staff manage the complex health needs of underserved populations many of whom come to the facility without access to care in the community and with decompensated acute and chronic health conditions.Commitment To Equity and Social JusticeNamed after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures. The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all ? in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts. We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. To learn more, please visit Work ScheduleThe work hours will be 40 hours per week; primarily day shift and includes some evening and weekend coverage. Work LocationThe work associated with this position will be performed on-siteat both King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) in Downtown Seattle and theMaleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent, depending on business needs. JOB DUTIES? Conduct diagnostic assessment in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5-TR); provide evidence based individual and group therapeutic intervention based on the specific psychiatric needs of the patient(s); make referrals to other disciplines (including medical professionals).? Detect and provide intervention for symptoms of mental illness, developmental disability, suicide-risk and depressed inmate-patients; determine need for involuntary treatment; develop a treatment plan; and provide witness testimony regarding patient's presentation and behavior.? Assess for substance dependence, abuse, intoxication, withdrawal, and other substance-related disorders. Provide brief interventions and refer appropriately for longer term care and when acuity is present.? Collaborate and coordinate with JHS Social Services staff to ensure continuity of care and referral to community mental health services and other resources.? Make psychiatric housing decisions within the jail; assess need for additional intervention and mental status evaluations and provide additional intervention(s) when needed; and track patient's progression through the legal system.? Develop mental health treatment plans; communicate and coordinate care with Psychiatric Providers and other JHS staff; act as liaison between the patient, correctional staff and courts to ensure diversion or release for appropriate treatment.? Attend regularly scheduled team meetings to review cases and utilization of various treatment approaches.? Provide in-service training to all health and corrections staff on various areas of expertise, including suicide prevention.? Ongoing commitment to promoting Equity and Social Justice within Jail Health Services.? Ongoing commitment to understanding how the intersections of patient social identities and experiences impact engagement and connection to community-based services. EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLSMinimum:? Master's or Doctoral degree in psychology, social work, clinical counseling, or a related field, from an accredited university.? Independent licensure as a psychologist, mental health counselor, clinical independent social worker, marriage and family therapist or recognized alternate licensure in Washington State.? Ongoing commitment to learning, understanding, and effective application of anti-racist practices when working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.? Ongoing commitment to learning, understanding and effective application of culturally humble practices when working with marginalized identities, including the LGBTQIA+, immigrant and refugee communities.? Working knowledge of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5-TR) and ability to make a differential diagnosis.? Working knowledge and past experience with evidence-based practices for the treatment of mood, psychotic, and personality disorders.? Working knowledge of the principles of behavior and motivation.? Working knowledge of psychiatric medication.? Knowledge of the Washington State Criminal Code, rules of court procedure and legal definition of competency.? Knowledge of community mental health resources and criteria for providing services.? Working knowledge of personality disorders and malingering and how to differentiate these from other psychiatric disorders.? Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.? Suicide-risk assessment skills.? Demonstrated ability to perform psychological and behavioral interventions.? Demonstrated skill in defusing hostile or violent behavior.? Demonstrated ability to perform evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of patients.? Demonstrated ability to detect the signs, symptoms and behavioral effects of depression, mental illness and substance use disorders.? Demonstrated skill in gathering clinical data to establish a diagnosis.? Demonstrated skill in gathering and interpreting court and law enforcement records pertaining to a particular patient's case. Desired:? Proficiency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, African Languages, or Chinese Languages.? Experience working in correctional facilities and/or inpatient psychiatric hospitals.? Experience working with electronic medical record systems.? Experience working on continuous process improvement systems. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our True North , we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May ApplyThis full-time position is open to all qualified applicantsApplication ProcessIf you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state see my resume or see my personnel file are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR ( if applicable).
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment. (and Pre-employment Physical, if applicable).
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.

Additional Information Public Health - Jail Health Services follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:

• Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution.
• Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or,
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

Additionally, PREA standards require that the department consider any incidents of sexual harassment involving an inmate or detainee in determining whether or not to hire or promote anyone. The above is in compliance with PREA and its implementing regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 115, Subpart A, Section 115.17, Hiring and Promotion Decisions.Union MembershipLocal 21 Contact