Mental Health Specialist

Overview    

Orange County is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity.  We are seeking a motivated, high energy, self-starter to serve in the role of Licensed Mental Health Specialist/Specialty Coordinator for the Orange County Health Services-Corrections Division.

The Licensed Mental Health Specialist/Specialty Coordinator is responsible for assessment and treatment planning with offenders at Orange County’s Correctional facilities who have demonstrated a need for mental health services. Performs a variety of related functions including conducting mental status evaluations of inmates, providing recommendations to staff, performing crisis assessments and implementing interventions.

Work is performed with independence under the direction of the Chief Psychologist and is reviewed on a regular basis through observations and results achieved.

This is a night shift position, 6p-6:30am.

  Representative Duties    

General Functions

The Licensed Mental Health Specialist is responsible for assessment and treatment planning with offenders at Orange County's correctional facilities who have demonstrated a need for mental health services. Performs a variety of related functions including conducting mental status evaluations of inmates, providing recommendations to staff, performing crisis assessments and implementing interventions.

Work is performed with independence under the direction of the Chief Psychologist and is reviewed on a regular basis through observations and results achieved.

Representative Duties /Assignments

Duties may vary based on area of assignment. The following are representative duties, it is not the intent to capture all duties performed by this classification.

• Conducts Mental Status Exams and assesses mental health via behavior, including verbal and nonverbal cues to diagnose inmates accurately.
• Conducts needs assessments based on psychosocial history and reviews medical charts to evaluate mental status of incarcerated offenders.
• Conducts group and/or individual counseling with incarcerated offenders who have mental health problems at Orange County Corrections.
• Consults with other staff to provide recommendations relative to treatment, classification, housing, etc.
• Provides crisis intervention counseling or assistance, as necessary.
• Prepares and presents psychoeducational material to incarcerated offenders.
• Prepares case documentation, reports or correspondence
• Provides training and consultation to staff.
• Prepares mental health inmates for release, as appropriate.
• Participates as a member of a multidisciplinary environment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
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  Minimum Qualifications    

Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related degree.

State of Florida Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Counselor or Clinical Social Worker with the ability to Baker Act.

**Any offer of employment will be contingent on successfully passing a level II Background screening which includes polygraph test, fingerprints, criminal background check, references, drug test and physical before starting employment**

  Preferences    

Experience in a criminal justice and/or Correctional environment is preferred. Experience with using DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) IV or V.

  Application Deadline    

Subject to close without notice

  Application Deadline    

Re-positng - Prior applicants need not apply  

  Salary    

$26.46-$43.07/hour, based on qualifications and Orange County Policy

  Address    

Orange County Correctional Facility

Orlando, Florida

  Veterans Preference    

If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you are responsible for providing the required eligibility documentation by the close date of the posting. Please submit a cover letter and copies of documents, not originals, to Orange County Human Resources Division, PO Box 1393, Orlando, FL 32801-1393 or fax to (407) 836-0098 (only Veterans' Preference documentation will be accepted by fax). Your cover letter should include the position posting number you are applying for, the title of the position and the last 4 digits of your social security number.

  Educational Requirements    

If your education was obtained in the United States, the County recognizes degrees or diplomas which are accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). If you have obtained education from a country other than the United States, your degree or diploma must be evaluated to determine the United States equivalency by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluations (AICE) at your expense.