Job Description

Title: Clinical Psychologist Division: Project 180

FLSA: Exempt Supervisor: Clinical Supervisor

Pay Scale: $125,000 - $160,000

The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Program

The HEAL and HEAR programs are mental health diversion pilots managed by the Office of the LA County Public Defender. These programs will create new pathways for adult indigent defendants to receive mental health diversion by providing dedicated psychologists to conduct 730 Evaluations. Project 180 is partnering with the Public Defender to provide clinical staffing and administrative support for both programs. The programs are expected to launch in Fall 2024.

The Position

The Clinical Psychologist will work in multiple locations, including remotely, in the LA County jails and in the Project 180 downtown LA office. This individual conducts psychosocial assessments for pre-trial defendants to determine diversion suitability. If suitable for diversion, the Clinical Psychologist formulates a treatment plan, and generates a report for the Court. This position reports to the Clinical Supervisor and actively coordinates with team members and external justice partners. Success in this role requires working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with diverse stakeholders in pursuit of client diversion and success.

Essential Functions

Assess potential HEAR/HEAL participants and make diversion recommendations to the Court

• Engage potential diversion participants in services. 
• Review collateral information (i.e. discovery provided by the client’s defense attorney, mental health treatment history) and conduct a clinical interview. Assessment to include but not be limited to mental health diagnosis, psychosocial history, readiness for change and needed community linkages.  
• Formulate a diagnosis, comprehensive treatment plan and recommendations for potential diversion. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of behavioral health treatment resources and the LA County system of care. Establish and maintain relationships with community treatment providers and resources. 
• Ensure service delivery is consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength-based, trauma-informed framework. 

Coordinate with co-workers and external justice partners

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Project 180 and court staff.
• Submit thorough, high quality diversion or 730 reports in a timely manner.

• Collaborate with public and private community health, mental health, and social service agencies as needed for linkage for care coordination.. 

Documentation and Reporting

• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations

• Regular attendance required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles.
• Perform other duties as needed.

• Maintain active license and/or registrations as applicable.

Skills and Abilities

• Clinical Expertise: Provides clinical care with a focus on high-quality service delivery.
• Exceptional written communication skills

• Culturally competent: Understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs.
• Resourceful: Efficiently navigates and utilizes resources available.
• Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to solve complex issues. 
• Proactive: Anticipates potential issues, and takes the initiative.
• Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment.
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Detail-oriented, organized and has strong time management skills.
• Courteous, respectful and helpful with others. Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.

Minimum Qualifications

• Required :
  • A Doctorate from an accredited college or university in psychology.
  • A license to practice as a psychologist issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Psychology.
  • Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. 
  • Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
  • Must be able to obtain LASD security clearance to assess defendants in the jails.
  • Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check.

• Preferred:
  • Experience with diagnostic evaluation and structured clinical interviewing for defendants within the criminal justice system. 
  • Experience with generating reports for the Court with diagnostic findings and treatment recommendations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings, including LA County jails.

Physical Requirements  

The employee is expected to move throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements. 

Mental Requirements  

The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.

Special Service for Groups, Inc. (SSG) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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