Certified Forensic Psychological Examiner

Overview

NaphCare is hiring a full-time Certified Forensic Psychological Examiner (PSYCHOLOGIST) to join our Jail Based Competency Treatment (JBCT) program, THRIVE, that operates as a 30-bed adult competency to stand trial restoration and evaluation unit at Washoe County Detention Facility in Reno, NV.

 

The Certified Forensic Psychological Examiner will conduct court-ordered initial, periodic, and final (submit to court) assessments of Competency to Stand Trial (CST) for a caseload of approximately 15 individuals who have been found Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST), remanded to state restoration, and deemed appropriate to receive those services in NaphCare’s jail-based competency treatment program.

 

The Examiner will be employed by NaphCare, Inc. and conduct these evaluations according to NV statutory requirements under the auspices of the NV-DHHS Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). NaphCare is partnered with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to provide this service.

 

The Examiner shall hold an “evaluator-only” position so as to not conflate treatment and evaluator roles. The Examiner will serve as a consultant to the JBCT multidisciplinary restoration treatment team to provide insights and updates on patients’ barriers to CST that are then used to inform the team’s treatment plan involving medication management, psychiatric nursing, individual counseling, group skill building and recreation, incentivization programs, and legal process classes and individual education.

 

The Examiner will conduct evaluations in-person, in evaluation rooms on the THRIVE JBCT unit at the jail. The unit is a therapeutic environment, providing intensive day treatment services. By providing patient-centered, evidenced-based, and holistic care, THRIVE seeks to eliminate the need for these patients to transfer to await further delays in their legal case by having to await transfer to a hospital.

 

Testimony will also be required, as requested by the Washoe County Competency Court, and be conducted within the full-time position hours (not in addition to that role or work-week expectations).

 

The ideal candidate has experience evaluating Competency to Stand Trial (CST), testifying, working with serious mental illness and/or in a correctional setting, and in working within a multidisciplinary team.

 

Opportunities for reimbursement for licensure, state examiner certifications, and continuing education are available, as well as expert consultation in CST evaluation, restorability opinions, and testimony. Potential opportunities for professional papers and presentations are also available, as desired.

Responsibilities

Position Description:

• Review collateral information obtained and provided to the Examiner by NaphCare (i.e., pre-commitment CST evaluations; jail records; legal records; referral information from the Court)
• Pursuant to court order for CST evaluation, conduct initial and periodic update (i.e., 30-day) evaluations of CST that are used internally by the JBCT for treatment planning
• Conduct and submit CST evaluations to the Court every 6-months or sooner, as warranted
• Serve as a consultant member of the multidisciplinary restoration treatment team to inform the status of the patients’ barriers to CST, prognosis/restorability, and readiness for evaluation
• Testify in the Washoe County Competency Court as requested on completed CST evaluations
• Maintain an “evaluator only” role in the JBCT multidisciplinary treatment team model
• Participate in educational and training activities related to restoration services and security

Qualifications

Position Requirements/Preferred Experience:

• Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology (PhD) or Psychology (PsyD)
• Active, unrestricted licensure (or license eligible) as a psychologist in the state of Nevada (PSYPACT is accepted in NV and can be used initially while seeking state licensure)
• Certification (or Certification eligible) by the NV-DHHS DPBH as a Forensic Examiner (NaphCare, Inc. will facilitate and fund this 2-day course for certification if not already certified)
• Must have knowledge and experience in forensic psychological assessment and report writing, specifically Competency to Stand Trial (CST) evaluations (outpatient, inpatient, or both).
• Must have knowledge and experience in mental health/ substance use disorders.
• Must have knowledge of forensic psychological specialty guidelines and ethics codes.
• Knowledge of evidenced-based and/or empirically informed treatments for serious mental illness and major mental disorders (e.g.,