DESCRIPTION
|
Under general administrative and clinical direction, provides professional psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and therapeutic services to clients in a detention facility setting in Alameda County Health, Behavioral Health (ACBH) Department; prescribes medications, collaborates with other team members, and facilitates treatment plans. Provides training and consultation to departmental staff and contracted community agencies and performs other related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Forensic Psychiatrist classification is located in the ACBH Department and reports to a Supervising Forensic Psychiatrist. Employees in this classification provide psychiatric services to clients in the detention facilities within the County of Alameda.
Forensic Psychiatrist is distinguished from the next lower-level classifications of Adult Psychiatrist and Child Psychiatrist in that the former is working solely with clients within detention facilities while the latter classifications are located in outpatient clinics within Alameda County Health.
|
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
|
NOTE: The following are the duties performed by the employees in this classification. However, the employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each employee in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
- Performs psychiatric evaluations of clients in a detention facility setting; and develops appropriate treatment/therapy plans based on diagnoses of symptoms and behaviors.
- Prescribes appropriate psychotropic medications based on clients' diagnoses and psychiatric evaluations, monitors clients' reactions, relief of symptoms, and degree of side effects on a regular and on-going schedule.
- Works collaboratively with correctional officers (custodial staff) to ensure safety and support rehabilitative efforts for incarcerated clients.
- Assures quality management activities regarding patient care delivery system, policies and procedures, as well as performance and outcomes.
- Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating and coordinating treatment with other mental health care and primary care health providers; participates in treatment planning and related meetings.
- Confers with client’s family members regarding illness and treatment; actively engages clients and family members in treatment planning.
- Provides culturally sensitive care to diverse populations in a jail or juvenile justice facility.
- Participates in Alameda County Behavioral Health Departments’ Medication Monitoring Program and other related Quality Assurance activities.
- Maintains medical records, develops comprehensive case histories, and prepares a variety of correspondence and reports.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
|
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
|
License:
Possession of a valid license to practice medicine in California and Board certification in psychiatry.
Certificate:
A current Controlled Substance Registration certificate issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration is required.
Special Requirements:
- In compliance with the Administrative Simplification provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), employees in this classification are required to possess a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number prior to their first day on the job.
- In compliance with Medicare regulations, employees in this classification are required to complete the "Medicare Enrollment Process for Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners" through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, prior to their first day on the job. Active enrollment in Medicare is a condition of employment. Failure to attain or maintain active enrollment will result in termination.
- In compliance with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the Federal Cures Act, employees in this classification who are required to render direct specialty mental health services in the course of their assignment must successfully enroll in Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment (PAVE) web portal prior to commencing employment.
- A thorough background investigation will be conducted of all prospective Forensic Psychiatrists to ensure they are suitable to work in a jail setting and must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance conducted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.
|
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
|
Knowledge of:
- Clinical standards of psychiatric practice and licensure requirements.
- Modern principles, practices, and techniques in psychiatry in criminal justice settings.
- Current trends in research, best practices, and legislation related to psychiatry in criminal justice settings.
- Principles and practices of direct client service delivery in a jail setting.
- Psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
- Pharmacology/psychopharmacology including law regarding informed consent, dosage ranges, drug incompatibilities, side effects and monitoring guidelines.
- Principals, practices and techniques of clinical supervision.
- Documentation requirements.
- HIPPA and other privacy regulations.
- Principles and best practices in the delivery of culturally sensitive medical services.
- Medical ethics as they relate to patient/client care.
Ability to:
- Diagnose and treat patients/clients.
- Develop and monitor appropriate treatment plans.
- Assist in the planning and coordination of psychiatric services in a forensic setting.
- Clinically supervise licensed and professional staff.
- Serve on multidisciplinary teams.
- Maintain written and electronic medical records and prepare reports.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients/clients, families, staff and others.
|
CLASS SPEC HISTORY
|
NewSpec: 5146.docx
RE:saa 3/25/25
CSC Date: 8/20/25
|
BENEFITS
|
The County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall wellbeing. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being
- Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
- Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
- Vision or Vision Reimbursement
- Share the Savings
- Basic Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- County Allowance Credit
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Long-Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
- Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future
- Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
For your Work/Life Balance
- 12 paid holidays
- Floating Holidays
- Vacation and sick leave accrual
- Vacation purchase program
- Catastrophic Sick Leave
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Guaranteed Ride Home
- Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
- Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
- Child Care Resources
- 1st United Services Credit Union
*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
|
Notify Me when a Job Opens for the above position(s)