Forensic Psychiatrist

Job Summary

The Forensic Psychiatrist with the Philadelphia DOC is responsible for conducting independent psychiatric evaluations and providing expert psychiatric opinions in legal, correctional, civil, and administrative matters. This role applies specialized psychiatric knowledge to answer medical-legal questions regarding competency, criminal responsibility, risk assessment, civil capacities, fitness for duty, and other forensic issues. The Forensic Psychiatrist prepares objective reports, provides expert testimony when required, and collaborates with legal professionals, courts, correctional institutions, and other stakeholders while maintaining strict ethical and professional standards. Per Diem position

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive forensic psychiatric evaluations through clinical interviews, mental status examinations, and psychological assessment review.
• Assess competency to stand trial and an individual's ability to understand legal proceedings and assist counsel.
• Evaluate criminal responsibility, including assessments related to insanity defenses and mental state at the time of an alleged offense.
• Perform risk and dangerousness assessments to evaluate the likelihood of future violence, self-harm, or recidivism.
• Conduct civil competency evaluations related to medical decision-making, guardianship, contractual capacity, testamentary capacity, and other legal capacities.
• Assess psychiatric injuries and damages in personal injury, disability, and workers' compensation cases.
• Conduct fitness-for-duty evaluations to determine an individual's ability to safely and effectively perform occupational responsibilities.
• Participate in child custody and parental fitness evaluations when requested.
• Review and analyze collateral information, including medical records, psychiatric records, legal documents, police reports, witness statements, correctional records, and other relevant materials.
• Evaluate for malingering, symptom exaggeration, and feigned psychiatric illness utilizing appropriate clinical methods and assessment tools.
• Prepare thorough, objective, and defensible forensic reports that clearly communicate findings, opinions, and supporting rationale.
• Provide expert testimony in court proceedings, depositions, administrative hearings, and other legal settings.
• Collaborate with attorneys, judges, correctional staff, healthcare providers, and other professionals while maintaining professional neutrality.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
• Stay current with developments in forensic psychiatry, mental health law, and evidence-based assessment practices.
• Participate in peer review, quality assurance, and continuing medical education activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.