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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.

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.

Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related degree and two years of professional experience providing direct clinical services in a social or mental health setting.

Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Counselor or Clinical Social Worker with the ability to Baker Act within three (3) years of hire.

Experience in criminal justice is preferred. Experience using DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) 4 or 5