Forensic Transition Team Coordinator

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Tewksbury, MA

3d

About The Position

The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Forensic Transition Team Coordinator. The selected candidate provides tracking, release planning, and follow up services to pre-trial, sentenced, and civilly committed DMH eligible clients incarcerated in county, state, federal, and out-of-state correctional facilities. The Forensic Transition Team Coordinator meets with DMH clients in correctional settings and provides linkage to community-based services. The incumbent also gathers statistical information and tracks all DMH incarcerated clients via data collection systems.

Applicants will need access to reliable transportation for considerable work-related travel from the Area Offices to correctional facilities and places of detention, not only in the assigned areas but also relevant facilities and locations throughout the Commonwealth as required.

Please Note : Internal and external applicants must pass a national criminal offender record check required by the Department of Corrections.

Requirements

• Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time, professional experience in human services work or social work or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
• Substitutions\: I. A Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
• Based on assignment, travel may be required.
• Incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
• Based on assignment as Qualified Intellectual Disabled Professionals, within the Department of Developmental Services, a Bachelor's degree or higher in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, counseling education, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, human services, rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, recreation therapy, art therapy, dance therapy, music therapy, physical education or other a related field is required.
• Knowledge of the functions of the community mental health system.
• Basic knowledge of mental disorders and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of basic clinical skills and understanding of human behavior, social work, healthcare, and law .
• Ability to communicate effectively, think quickly and make independent judgments.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate and diffuse conflict.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with systems and community resources as they relate to disposition planning from the correctional system.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of MGL c. 123.
• Given the population served bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with state, county, federal, and out-of-state correctional clinical staff, DYS, Parole, Probation, DMH Case Management, DMH CM Supervisor(s), DMH Area Medical Director(s), DMH Area Forensic Director(s), DMH vendors, and court clinicians to facilitate timely identification of, and eligibility determination for, DMH Continuing Care clients.
• Conducts interviews and assessments in correctional institutions and settings.
• Files appropriate entitlement applications and referral forms and initiates coordination and collaboration with appropriate agencies to develop a comprehensive community service plan prior to a DMH client inmate’s release.
• Completes Psychosocial Assessment on appropriate DMH eligible clients.
• Coordinates inter-agency involvement and advocates with service providers including but not limited to the Department of Correction (DOC), Houses of Corrections (HOC’s), court clinics, Parole, Probation, DYS, Social Security, Medicaid, and DMH vendors to facilitate service provision to DMH client offenders.
• Provides linkage between correctional and mental health agencies.
• Engages social supports from client’s community (as available) and provides education regarding client’s mental illness and treatment needs as necessary.
• Monitors client response to service plan; attends meetings needed to discuss service plan effectiveness and modifications to service delivery.
• Monitors and documents client progress in treatment for no less than three months after release.
• Completes data forms and data entry as required.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees