01/17/1996 33540

FORENSIC UNIT DIRECTOR

DEFINITION: This is administrative work in planning, directing and coordinating the total medical and non-medical functions and security requirements of a regional forensic unit located on the grounds of a state mental hospital.

An employee in this class plans, directs and coordinates all unit administrative and programmatic functions associated with the evaluation and the twenty-four hour treatment, care, custody and control of unit patients, and to ensure the security and safety of staff and patients in the regional forensic unit. Work includes the development, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic and rehabilitative programs and services designed to meet forensic patient needs. Work also includes arranging the provision of appropriate internal security programs and supportive services, such as housekeeping, dietary and laundry. Work is performed independently through the use of subordinate supervisory and professional staff in providing intensive mental health evaluation, diagnoses, treatment, care, custody and control services. Supervision is exercised over all medical, nursing, security and non-medical personnel
assigned to the unit. Work is performed within the broad framework of departmental, Office of Mental Health, and facility policy and procedures under the general supervision of the Facility Superintendent who reviews the work through conferences and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the unit operations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, directs, and coordinates all unit functions associated with the twenty-four hour care, custody, control, and  rehabilitation of unit patients, and to ensure the physical security and safety of staff and patients.

Supervises unit staff in evaluating and diagnosing unit patients' mental and/or competency for court trial status, treatment of their psychiatric disorders, and submitting recommendations to court for further disposition of each individual case.

Provides administrative guidance and direction to nursing, therapeutic, rehabilitative, security, support, and program/ clinical staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of treatment and services for forensic unit patients; and to ensure that necessary custody and control security methods and procedures are maintained.

Determines forensic program needs and recommends new or revised policies and procedures and/or physical plant renovations for compliance with security regulations to carry out program objectives.

Directs and coordinates the implementation and evaluation of internal security procedures conducted by professional and nonprofessional patient care staff.

Provides the Facility Superintendent with ongoing reports concerning the unit's problems, progress, and direction.

Confers with judges, lawyers, correctional facilities' administrators, and county officials to resolve problematic situations in order to meet patient treatment needs and the forensic unit and/or hospital goals and objectives.

Evaluates, determines and develops budget data relating to operational needs of the forensic unit and submits proposals to hospital administration for approval and inclusion in the overall budget of the facility.

Plans and assesses physical security requirements and current and long term staffing needs; and directs or arranges needed modifications to security methods, procedures and systems.

Approves leave, schedules personnel, authorizes or assigns and monitors and controls overtime, receives and recommends resolutions to grievances or complaints; and evaluates work performance.

Plans, organizes and directs security and safety orientation for all new employees and training for all employees affected by forensic unit security policy/procedure changes.

Prepares reports and correspondence, and ensures the maintenance of complete and accurate medical records.

Participates on statewide review teams and task forces regarding the evaluation of forensic programs and the development of program standards and guidelines.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal, state, departmental and facility laws, regulations and policies relating to mental health patient care, evaluation, treatment, custody, control and physical security and safety requirements.

Knowledge of psychiatric illness and diagnoses and relationships of the various professional staff disciplines involved with patient evaluations, treatment and rehabilitation of patients.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.

Knowledge of mental health patient care unit administration, which includes patient care, custody and control methods, procedures and techniques and auxiliary services such as physical security and safety requirements; as well as nursing, therapeutic and rehabilitative, and support services.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior of persons committed for psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment.

Ability to apply principles, practices and techniques in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of forensic patients.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting hospital, Office of Mental Health, and departmental policies and procedures to the forensic unit.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with hospital and departmental staff, court officials, correctional facilities' officials, patients and their families.

Ability to provide leadership, training and guidance to hospital mental health professionals, medical and nursing staff, therapeutic, rehabilitative, security and support services staff in the latest treatment principles, security and safety precautions, and patient care, custody and control techniques used in the field of forensic mental health.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five years of professional clinical or professional residential mental health care experience; which includes three years in an administrative, consultative, or supervisory capacity over a professional clinical or professional residential mental health care staff; and a Bachelor's degree;

                                                                                                                                                                        or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes three years in an administrative, consultative, or supervisory capacity over a professional clinical or professional residential mental health care staff.