Forensic Program Manager

Dallas, United States

Job Title: Forensic Program Manager

Position’s Role Summary:

Do you have a passion for helping others and want a career where you can make a difference? Then join our NTBHA team. We have proved to be a strong, self-sufficient and enduring foundation within our community. We are committed to connecting and serving our clients where they live.

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA), based in Dallas is responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for children, adolescents and adults with severe mental illness and other serious emotional disturbances, as well as those experiencing a substance use disorder. This position’s actions and work must align with NTBHA’s values and goals, policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements.

We are the Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) contracted by Texas Human Services Commission (HHSC) to serve qualified indigent consumers in our six-county region of Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties.

This position’s actions and work must align with NTBHA values and goals, regulations, and policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements.

NTBHA is seeking a person with excellent organizational and clinical skills to provide jail-based assessments to individuals that have been incarcerated to ensure continuity of care.

The Lead Forensic Care Coordinator will assist the Senior Forensic Program Director and jail team by assisting in providing treatment planning and coordination of care for jailed clients in the NTBHA service area. The Lead Forensic Care Coordinator will help to coordinate the efforts of other jail staff, review treatment plans and assessments, assist in assessing inmates, develop release plans, and help in the overall operation of the NTBHA jail-based team. The Lead Forensic Care Coordinator will actively participate in treatment team meetings, dockets, court staffings, and jail mental health provider meetings.

The Lead Forensic Care Coordinator will also help to review and approve plans and assessments, complete reports, update authority and state information systems, and assist the Senior Forensic Program Director in the operations of jail and court teams.

The Lead Care Coordinator will communicate consistently and effectively with NTBHA staff regarding clients’ progress, barriers, and needs as directed by the Senior Forensic Program Director. They will be expected to work closely and collaboratively with community mental health agencies and relevant criminal justice personnel such as caseworkers, judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and/or forensic psychologists and psychiatrists regarding clients’ progress towards release and engagement in the community.

Where appropriate the Lead Forensic Care Coordinator will provide individual and group counseling in accordance with their licensure. The Lead Forensic Care Coordinator will also assist the Senior Forensic Program Director in the training and credentialing of the jail and court teams as well as providing consultation as appropriate.

This position may require travel throughout the counties served by NTBHA. Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license and car insurance is required. May require cellular availability after hours and flexible work hours to meet program needs. Responsible for adherence to and compliance with NTBHA policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulatory codes.

Travel can vary from 20% to 100% per day. This would include all counties within NTBHA Catchment area (Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro & Rockwall Counties).

This role may be required to use a fleet vehicle and/or a personal vehicle for business needs. This may include, but is not limited to field & home visits, offsite meetings, co-located sites and/or pick up items for business needs, etc. If your program requires transport of individuals, this would only be allowed with a company vehicle and approval from management.

Job duties, responsibilities, and skills:

Operate at the direction of the Senior Forensic Program Director.
Assist the Senior Forensic Program Director in the supervision of the jail and court teams.
Complete reports and track data to assist the Senior Forensic Program Director in program monitoring and improvement.
Use NTBHA’s approved curriculum and assessments with clients in accordance with their developmental and cognitive abilities as well as their mental health status and symptoms.
Assist clients while they are incarcerated in accessing appropriate mental health services and facilitate their release to ensure continuity of care.
Monitor the client’s progress and accurately report to NTBHA as well as partner agencies regarding the client’s mental health needs in compliance with the client’s rights as well as all relevant State and Federal statutes, local court rules, and NTBHA policies and procedures.
Develop and maintain rapport with criminal justice-involved persons using modalities such as Motivational Interviewing to communicate and relate legal concepts through oral and written means.
Develop and maintain rapport with the various courts, jails, attorneys, and administrative systems involved with incarcerated clients in the NTBHA service area.
Prepare, create, and maintain records, files, documents, reports, and correspondence both within NTBHA and partner agencies and organizations.
Work with other NTBHA employees, members of partner agencies and organizations, as well as the target population and their families in a constructive and efficient fashion.
Bilingual ability preferred but not required.
Complete referral system reviews, conduct follow up, schedule, and distribute Mental Health DA referrals.
Complete OCR and JBCR data entry, assist Senior Forensic Program Director in data tracking of programs at the local and state level.
Conduct systems review and assist in referral process for JBCR and OCR.
Assist in coverage for JBCR if needed due to staff training/leave.
Assist in records requests with jail health administration.
Assist Senior Forensic Program Director in chart reviews to ensure completion.
Assist Senior Forensic Program Director in completing treatment plans, exit plans, housing questions, and other tasks as needed for JBCR cases.
Must be able to work on and have knowledge of a PC (personal computer).
Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software.
Duties and projects may be assigned or changed to meet business needs.

Qualifications required:

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, behavioral health, or related field.
At least a provisional license as an LPHA.
Minimum of one year of experience in a law enforcement or correctional setting (county or local jail or detention center, state prison, state jail, or federal correctional center, probation, parole, or law enforcement or similar) involving direct care/contact with incarcerated individuals.
Minimum of two years of experience in outpatient mental health working with individuals having severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders that includes crisis services, or two years of experience with a Master’s degree.
Experience in providing psychosocial education, skills training, or teaching, particularly with the target population.
Experience with participating in a treatment team that develops and monitors treatment plans for persons with severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
Knowledge of the Texas criminal justice system in general and the local court systems within the NTBHA service area including competency restoration.
Knowledge of the various community resources and providers within the NTBHA service area including (but not limited to) supportive housing and employment, shelters, food banks, social service agencies, charities, medical and behavioral health providers, and other resources for the indigent population.
Possess and maintains a valid driver’s license.
Pass and maintain a clear background record as required for healthcare organization under state and federal contracts.
Pass and maintain a clear background check and credentialing by the Dallas County jail.

We are responsible for developing a collaborative system of care for individuals in crisis in the NTBHA service area. We are focused on trauma-informed, resilience-oriented care in all services provided.

Job Type: Full time exempt

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