Jail Services Clinician

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General Statement of Duties:

Provides behavioral health services to individuals currently incarcerated in the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail (RHRJ).  Services include coordinating access to jail based psychiatric services, providing screenings and assessments to identify and evaluate mental health concerns, providing short-term supportive counseling, leading psychoeducational groups and facilitating continued services upon release from RHRJ as appropriate.  This position works closely with RHRJ staff to facilitate appropriate mental health interventions to incarcerated individuals. The position is supervised by the Senior Manager of Adult Outpatient Services and will be provided with regularly scheduled supervision. Additional consultation and assistance are also available from Director of Behavioral Health Services and other relevant program supervisors within the Board as needed. This position requires the ability to work with considerable independence and sound clinical judgment, willingness and ability to utilize supervision, and commitment to working with individuals whose needs may be challenging to meet.

This position is classified Exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Major Essential Functions:

  • Provides screenings and referrals to CSB Nurse Psychiatric Practitioner within Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail.
  • Provides safety assessments and recommendations for inmates indicated by jail staff.
  • Provides crisis intervention and makes referrals to emergency services when appropriate.
  • Collaborates with jail staff to provide segregation evaluations on inmates that are placed, or have requested to be placed, in segregation within the jail.
  • Assists inmates in accessing mental health and/or substance abuse services upon release from jail.
  • Provides short-term supportive counseling to persons with serious mental illness within RHRJ.
  • Facilitates a psychoeducational group on the mental health pod in RHRJ.
  • Facilitates weekly behavioral health focused groups offered, as appropriate, to all general population RHRJ inmates.
  • In collaboration with the Senior Manager of Adult Outpatient Services serves as a liaison between HRCSB and RHRJ as appropriate.
  • In collaboration with the Senior Manager of Adult Outpatient Services, will maintain required reporting data elements to be utilized for internal and external outcome measurements.
  • Assures compliance with agency policy, client rights, confidentiality, licensure regulations, and Medicaid regulations as applicable;
  • Maintains effective relationships with co-workers and customers based on courtesy, compassion, and respect;
  • Participates in team meetings and individual supervision;
  • Makes effective use of available technology, including computers, e-mail, and voice mail in order to enhance customer service;
  • Performs other related functions as assigned, consistent with organizational objectives, policies, and procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of mental health interventions; thorough knowledge of crisis intervention/emergency techniques; ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers, and service providers from the community; ability to make use of local community resources to meet client’s needs; knowledge of and adherence to basic ethics

appropriate for helping professions; ability to write concisely and effectively; demonstrated good judgment; good interpersonal skills. Basic computer literacy and word processing skills preferred.

Additional Requirement:

Possession of a current, valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in human services or a related specialty plus two years of experience in a mental health, mental retardation, or substance abuse setting; OR any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must be professionally licensed (LPC or LCSW) or license eligible.  If licensed, staff member is responsible submitting an active license at time of hire and annual proof of license renewal to the Human Resources office.

Other Information: 

Equipment: Telephone, copy machine, fax machine, vehicle, PC, word processing software, Dictaphone, TDD. 

Work Environment: General office environment with normal lighting levels, temperature, air quality, ventilation and noise levels. Community settings, facilities, individual’s homes with environment as determined by occupant. 

Work Location: Rockingham County Jail, 25 South Liberty St., Harrisonburg, 1241 North Main Street office. 

Work Hazards:  Standard hazards associated with a mental health treatment environment including hazards associated with problem behaviors. Use of universal precautions required.

 Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, regular office hours; some evening and weekend hours may be required; additional hours as needed to perform job requirements.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States..

HRCSB is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact Human Resources at recruitment@hrcsb.org.