Licensed Forensic Social Worker

 

Summary

 

 

 

The Forensic Social Worker / Primary Therapist must have an MSW or MA/MS from an accredited university and be license eligible.  The responsibilities of the position include providing individual and group therapy, as well as case management services to an adult forensic population.

 



 

 

Minimum Experience Required

 

 

 

• Knowledge of medications, working knowledge of current diagnostic manual.

• Clinical experience in provision of individual or group treatment and training with multi-racial (ethnic) populations.

 

 

Desired Experience

 

 

 

• Clinical treatment of both acute and chronic mentally ill population.

• Crisis intervention experience.

• Experience with family therapy.

• Familiarity with correctional/forensic systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Education Required

 

 

 

•  Treatment and discharge planning.

•  Working knowledge of community resources.

•  Experience with preparation of written client evaluations.

 

•  Masters Degree in Behavioral Sciences or related area from an accredited university.

 

 

Desired Education

 

 

 

•  Graduate education/training in forensic mental health, law, psychology, and/or criminal justice.

Essential Skills

 

 

•  Working knowledge of mental status examinations and current diagnostic manual.

•  Knowledge of psychiatric mental health theories and practices.

•  Individual and group treatment with clients who present a variety of psychopathologies.

•  Ability to function as primary therapist and member of multi-disciplinary treatment team.

•  Ability to accurately observe and document treatment sessions.

•  Knowledge and understanding of human relationships.

•  Ability to work and relate effectively with visitors, police, and community members.

•  Ability to accurately assess statements and behaviors of clients for evidence of antisocial behavior.

•  Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

 

Non-essential Skills

 

 

 

• Crisis intervention for assessing and de-escalating assaultive behavior.

• Ability to appropriately and effectively handle encounters with clients who may be unstable, angry, hostile, agitated, or intoxicated by alcohol or street drugs.

• Community resource development.

• Skilled in treating psychopathology.

• Computer skills in word processing for creating and typing court reports or other related documents.

 

 

Minimum Professional Certification / Licensure Required

 

 

 

Eligible for licensure ASW or MFTI according to WIC 5600.2.  Psychological assistant or registered psychologist.

 

 

Desired Professional Certification / Licensure Required

 

 

 

California licensure as LCSW or MFT.

California licensed Psychologist.

 

 

Other Minimum Certification/ Licensure Required

 

 

 

• California Class C Driver’s License

• Driving record acceptable for coverage by Gateways insurance carrier

• Fire and Safety Training

• CPR Certification*

• Type II MAB Training: Assessment and Management of Assaultive Behaviors in the Forensic Population*

 

ALTHOUGH THIS DESCRIPTION STATES THAT A LICENSE IS DESIRED, LICENSED CANDIDATES WILL BE INTERVIEWED FIRST.  UNLICENSED CANDIDATES MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR LICENSURE WITHIN 12 MONTHS.

 

LICENSED THERAPISTS WILL BE PAID AT A HIGHER RATE, NOT NOTED IN THE STATED SALARY RANGE HERE.