The Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services / Lakes Crossing Center (LCC), a maximum-security forensic facility/psychiatric hospital for mentally disordered criminal offenders in Sparks, Nevada is recruiting for several Forensic Specialist 1 positions. Forensic Specialists perform a combination of security and client care duties in a secure mental health facility for treatment/evaluation of the mentally disordered criminal offender and/or offenders whose competency requires evaluation. Incumbents perform in a trainee capacity and acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required in this occupation. A Forensic Specialist is a hybrid position, serving as a Nevada POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Certified Category III Peace Officer, and a Mental Health Professional. This exciting position offers incumbents the opportunity to serve the community in the health care and law enforcement settings, providing clinical support while maintaining safety and security. Incumbents in this series will be required to attend POST certification training. Forensic Specialists at LCC perform mental health and security duties with an emphasis on providing therapeutic treatment for clients in order to attain competency and be evaluated to stand trial for criminal charges. The Forensic Specialists also prepare clients for competency hearings and facilitate groups regarding legal processes; participate in therapeutic treatment groups and client sponsorships; assist clients in understanding the nature and seriousness of the charges that have been filed; assist assigned clients with eating, bathing, shaving, oral hygiene, grooming, dressing, movement and ambulation, and other basic activities of daily living; perform Peace Officer duties that include but are not limited to transportation of clients and community outings, and perform other duties as assigned. The Forensic Specialist 1 is the entry-level in the Forensic Specialist series, progression to Forensic Specialist 2 and 3 may occur with the recommendation of the appointing authority when minimum qualifications are met, and the incumbent is performing satisfactorily. Part of those minimum qualifications require obtaining Mental Health Technician (MHT) Certification through online college coursework.
Examination Process: Candidates that meet the minimum education and experience requirements of the position will be invited to enter the examination process as follows:
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A POST Category III physical fitness exam which consists of a vertical jump of 15 inches; Agility Run in 20.4 seconds; 20 push-ups (not timed); a 300 meter run in 74 seconds; and a 1.5 mile run in 17 minutes and 37 seconds.
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Extensive background investigation
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Pre-employment drug screening per NAC 284.4066
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Medical exam to include tuberculosis test
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Psychological examination
Graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of general work experience, one year which was in a mental health, medical, correctional, law enforcement or related setting; OR one year of college coursework which included courses in health, behavioral science or criminal justice and one year of general work experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.
Support clinical staff by serving as a member of a treatment team to optimize client care and treatment as assigned; report normal and abnormal behavior; assist in identifying problems, developing treatment plans, documenting client progress, revising treatment plans and discharging clients as assigned; provide data entry into appropriate databases and/or software applications as needed.
Develop therapeutic relationships with assigned clients; orient the client to the unit/facility; spend one-on-one time with the clients; facilitate or co-facilitate group sessions as directed by professional staff; chart clients’ progress across activities, interaction with others and significant events; assist clients with the token economy store, telephone calls, work assignments, recreation, group referrals and understanding legal processes.
May perform mental health and security duties with an emphasis on providing therapeutic treatment for clients in order to support their attainment of competency to stand trial for criminal charges; prepare clients for competency hearings and facilitate groups regarding legal processes; assist clients in understanding the nature and seriousness of charges that have been filed.
Operate the control room to ensure the security of facilities for the protection of community, clients and staff; monitor activities of staff and clients through video monitors; maintain awareness of staff locations; check staff in and out; account for staff keys, fobs, and other personal items as assigned; control the entry and departure of personnel from the facility or unit as assigned; utilize various equipment such as two-way radios, intercom system, telephone system linked directly to police and fire departments, video tape recorder, and alarm systems including fire and motion detectors.
Perform perimeter checks of the facility; respond to emergency situations such as fires, evacuations, bomb threats, riots, and hostage situations following established policies and procedures; assist with scheduled fire drills.
Conduct head counts and special watches to verify the whereabouts and condition of all clients; make visual contact with the client which may include pulling back bedcovers and using flashlights to ensure visual recognition and client physical condition; document findings; report significant medical, safety, clinical or procedural problems through both verbal and written incident reports to the supervisor reviewing the head count and special watch report.
Conduct room and body searches to detect controlled substances, contraband and weapons; search clients and visitors prior to entering a secure area by patting down and scanning with a metal detector; conduct random room and area searches of client rooms, multipurpose rooms, day rooms, kitchen and grounds; identify health hazards,
Independently, or in conjunction with other forensic staff, supervise clients in the courtyard, kitchen, barbershop, gym, multipurpose room, day room, classroom, recreational and creative activity areas, clinic, medical infirmary, mental health unit, and living areas to ensure the safety of clients and staff; search the area prior to client entry for contraband, security problems or hazards; monitor client activity while in the area; search the area after clients/leave.
Control aggressive and maladaptive behavior of clients to ensure safety and security; initiate various techniques such as token economy, individual crisis intervention, time out, and other verbal and/or physical interventions appropriate to the situation and in consideration of client rights; obtain appropriate medical orders for seclusion and/or restraints by a doctor, or designee, prior to or as soon as possible after taking action.
Provide basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver in emergency situations.
Assist assigned clients with eating, bathing, shaving, oral hygiene, grooming, dressing and other basic activities of daily living; assist in transportation, movement and ambulation; may assist in specialized treatment under medical supervision and following completion of appropriate training/instruction.
Maintain current knowledge and ensure compliance with applicable State and federal health and safety laws and regulations, as well as policies concerning infection control and related issues; handle and dispose of bodily waste, cleaning agents and other potentially hazardous materials; ensure facilities are clean and sanitary and report building maintenance needs.
Transport clients to medical appointments, hospitals and other locations as assigned.
Inventory property of clients upon admission and discharge; monitor property release to clients by following appropriate policies and procedures; ensure the client has appropriate funds to mail their personal property upon discharge and then mail client property to different locations as required.
Oversee shift activities to include assigning work and ensuring timely completion of required reports; respond to incident reports and emergencies.
Receive training in performing the duties described above. Work is closely reviewed to ensure compliance with security standards and standards of care. Agency policy and procedures are available for training. This is the trainee level in the series and progression to the next level may occur upon successful completion of required certification training, meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance and approval of the appointing authority.
Under close supervision of professional staff or higher-level Forensic Specialists, incumbents receive training in performing duties described in the series concept. Work is closely reviewed to ensure compliance with security standards and standards of care. Agency policy and procedures are available for training. This is the trainee level in the series and progression to the next level may occur upon successful completion of required certification training, meeting minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance and approval of the appointing authority.
Perform related duties as assigned.
