Forensic Psychologist, Minimum and Medium Security Units

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Kamloops and Kelowna, BC

Effective December 6, 2024, as negotiated in the latest collective agreement, a classification system will be implemented for the HSPBA roles in PHSA, effectively transitioning to a profile-based system. As a result, it may have impact to this job posting’s job title, job description, and wage range.

This is a hybrid position with the option to work at either the Kamloops or Kelowna Regional Clinic. Regular travel will be required as the role involves supporting the Interior region. The employer offers per diem and mileage reimbursement to cover travel expenses.

What you’ll do

• Complete comprehensive psychological assessments including assessing risk to re-offend, upon referral by reviewing the legal orders to ascertain the stage of proceedings and the nature of the assessment requested; consulting with the interdisciplinary team which may include the assigned psychiatrist, case manager, nurse, psychiatric social worker, and psychologist assistant as necessary to determine the nature of the assessment; reviewing the police reports, and previous psychological, nursing, psychiatric, and social assessments; determining the appropriate battery of psychological testing to be administered to the offender; arranging and conducting psychological interviews with the various individuals, and other relevant collaterals; advising the accused person regarding issues of consent and confidentiality/non-confidentiality; and supervising and/or administering psychological testing and interpreting the results.
• Prepare comprehensive written psychological reports that include descriptions and interpretations of psychological testing and formulation of a psychological profile with recommendations for treatment and management of risk related behaviors. Psychological Reports must be prepared at a standard for submission to the Courts or the BC Review Board.
• Participate in treatment planning conferences relating to persons who have been referred for assessment by providing input from a forensic psychology perspective on a variety of issues related to the patient.
• Provide testimony as an expert forensic psychology witness in the Courts or BC Review Board hearings in support of psychological assessments by researching, studying and understanding complex legal and clinical issues related to relationships between psychological factors and criminal behaviors; maintains up-to-date knowledge and understanding of forensic psychology issues and expertise in risk assessment and risk management tools and the relationship to criminal behaviour; establishes through education, experience and reputation recognition by the courts as an expert witness in forensic psychology; and is able to withstand intensive and extensive cross examination intended to diminish status as an expert witness or destroy credibility or accuracy of facts, testing formulations, conclusions and recommendations contained in written reports.
• May participate in research in relevant areas of forensic psychology by assisting in the development of design and outcome studies; assisting in data collection and analysis; working with institutions of higher learning in major research undertakings; preparing research papers for publication and presentation at relevant psychiatric and psychological conferences; and maintaining an up-to-date review of relevant research in issues of forensic psychology.

What you bring

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD. or PsyD) in Clinical Forensic Psychology or Clinical Psychology with experience in a forensic and/or tertiary-level mental health context.
• One (1) year direct clinical experience performing diagnostic assessment and treatment of adults in a forensic or tertiary-level mental health setting including risk assessment, cognitive behavioral therapy or other relevant assessment and treatment modalities.
• Current registration with the College of Health & Care Professionals of British Columbia or secured within 18 months of hire.

Skills & Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of psychology including risk assessment and risk management, developmental theories, family and social dynamics, treatment and behaviour management modalities and psychological testing and interpretation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the justice system, complex legal issues and other forensic matters.
• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Demonstrated specialized expertise in treatment approaches for violent offenders, sexual offenders, or other specialized forensic psychology issues, including the evaluation of the accused person’s response to treatment initiatives.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities related to trauma informed and culturally safe practices.
• Broad knowledge of the service delivery system for offenders and their families at the local, regional and provincial level.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive written assessments for the Courts, BC Review Board, and other referral sources.
• Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents – including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study – and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Part-Time (0.80 FTE)
Wage: $54.86 – $68.52/Hour
Location: #5 - 1315 Summit Drive, Kamloops BC and #115A-1835 Gordon Drive, Kelowna BC
Hours of Work: Monday – Friday (4 days a week); 0830-1630
Requisition # 173205E

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date ofOctober 7, 2024. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.