COURT LIAISON

Responsibilities

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The Court Evaluator represents the Hospital’s position on involuntary/civil commitment proceedings as outlined in RCW 71.05.

• Clinically evaluates patients detained by a DMHP on an initial 120 hour hold and assesses whether additional inpatient hospitalization is needed or whether a less restrictive option is appropriate.
• Co-authors with attending provider14/90/180 day petitions for involuntary treatment.
• Provide expert witness testimony in court proceedings through a combination of patient evaluation, medical chart review, discussions with treatment providers and witnesses, and direct examination/cross-examination from Prosecution/Defense attorneys.

This is a per diem position. Must be available to work 3 days per month. 

Qualifications

Education: 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work or related mental health field. 
• Doctoral (PhD/PsyD) degree in Psychology or related mental health field preferred.

Experience: 

• Seven (5) years post-Master or three (3) years post-Doctoral experience in a psychiatric health care setting.
• Strong clinical assessment skills required.
• Background in forensic or clinical work required.

Additional Requirements: 

• Must be licensed in the state of Washington as a Psychologist, Social Worker, or related mental health field.
• Employee must obtain CPR, first aid, Handle with Care, and Verbal De-Escalation certification upon hire.
• Be able to work in Everett, Monroe and Kirkland Washington.
• Must be able to work 3 days a month.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong clinical assessment skills:
• Assess and identify psychosocial, educational, developmental and behavioral functioning of the client/family system utilizing evidence based practice.
• Document assessment update when there are significant changes in client’s condition.
• Comply with required standards for medical/legal reporting situations (i.e. child abuse, dependent adult abuse, psychiatric commitment).
• Communicate effectively with attorneys, health care team, family members, and community providers regarding client status and progress.
• Ability to use good judgment and to maintain confidentiality of information
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with professional ethics according to professional and facility standards.
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to organization policies and procedures.
• Participate in performance improvement projects and activities at the hospital.
• Continued professional development and training.
• Continue professional development
• Participate in conferences and workshops related to mental health.
• Ability to orient new colleagues and supervise student interns.
• Proficiency in the following areas:
• planning and organizing
• time management - organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines
• computer skills – operate office equipment
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers
• Ability to work as a team player
• Skills in telephone etiquette and paging procedures
• Ability to maintain records, and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
• Possess good interpersonal skills, be customer-service oriented, show reliability and initiative, demonstrate tact, resourcefulness, patience and dedication 

Physical, Mental, and Special Demands:

• Ability to stand, or walk up to six hours, sit for up to two hours.
• Ability to spend 20% of the workday outdoors in temperatures varying from 30°-100^oF and 80% of the workday indoors in temperatures varying from 60°-85^o
• Ability to occasionally push/pull wheeled carts up to 200 lbs. (i.e. crash carts, patients on stretchers or in wheel chairs).
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10 lbs. (charts, records).
• Ability to see well enough to read written material.
• Ability to discern a variety of odors.
• Ability to handle hazardous/infectious waste on an occasional basis.
• Ability to work in an environment where the noise level is frequently high, where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present; and where dust, mist, and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks.
• Ability and knowledge of how to respond when exposed to blood and bodily fluids.
• Ability to participate in the management of acutely agitated patients consistent with Handle with Care and hospital procedures.

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