Forensic Psychologist job description
A Forensic Psychologist is a specialist who applies psychological knowledge to the criminal justice system, providing assessments, expert testimony, and support in understanding criminal behavior and mental health. They work with courts, prisons, and law enforcement agencies.
Use this Forensic Psychologist job description to advertise your vacancies and find qualified candidates. Feel free to modify responsibilities and requirements based on your needs.
What is a forensic psychologist?
A forensic psychologist is a specialist who applies their knowledge and understanding of psychology to the criminal justice system, either as an expert witness or practitioner. They assess individuals, conduct psychological evaluations, and provide expert opinions on competency and criminal behavior.
What does a forensic psychologist do?
A forensic psychologist assesses individuals to establish cognitive abilities and behavioral/mental health. They perform competency, triage, and suicide risk assessments, compile reviews of each patient, and provide expert testimony in court. They also consult with multidisciplinary teams, educate on psychological issues, and administer psychological tests.
Forensic Psychologist responsibilities include:
- Assessing individuals to establish cognitive abilities and behavioral/mental health
- Helping those in need by performing competency, triage, and suicide risk assessments
- Compiling quantitative and qualitative reviews of each patient
Job brief
We are looking for a Forensic Psychologist who is observant and empathetic to assist our team with psychological assessments and to conduct a range of tests to support our team.
Forensic Psychologist responsibilities include providing expert opinion on competency for trial, performing psychological assessments on inmates to help them transition back into society successfully once released from incarceration (or prison). If you enjoy interacting with patients and care about the justice system, we’d like to meet you. Please share your past experience along with your application.
Ultimately, you will be able to put personal feelings aside during an evaluation and maintain highly detailed results on each patient. You will remain unbiased in evaluations of an applicant’s competency or recidivism risk level.
Responsibilities
- Provide expert oral and/or written testimony as required by the court
- Take on difficult cases with empathy and professionalism
- Complete reports, documentation, and other tasks according to applicable standards
- Act as a consultant for multidisciplinary teams and coaching psychology students
- Educate clinical teams on psychological issues
- Create, evaluate, and initiate correctional programs
- Administering, scoring, and reporting the results of testing
- Be on-call as needed
Requirements and skills
- Proven work experience as a Forensic Psychologist or similar role
- Excellent people skills
- Proficient understanding of mental and behavioral diversity
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Ability to make tough decisions in stressful situations
- State licensure
- Proficient organizational skills
- Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written
- Doctoral degree in psychology
Frequently asked questions
- What does a Forensic Psychologist do?
- A forensic psychologist assesses individuals' cognitive abilities and mental health, provides expert testimony, and conducts evaluations to support legal proceedings.
- What are the duties and responsibilities of a Forensic Psychologist?
- The duties of a forensic psychologist include assessing individuals, performing competency evaluations, compiling patient reviews, providing expert testimony, consulting with teams, educating on psychological issues, and administering psychological tests.
- What makes a good Forensic Psychologist?
- A good forensic psychologist possesses strong analytical skills, empathy, professionalism, and the ability to make tough decisions in stressful situations. They also have expertise in mental and behavioral diversity and excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
- Who does a Forensic Psychologist work with?
- A forensic psychologist works with legal professionals, law enforcement agencies, multidisciplinary teams, and individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
- What skills should a forensic psychologist have?
- A forensic psychologist should have excellent people skills, a proficient understanding of mental and behavioral diversity, strong problem-solving abilities, and outstanding communication skills. They should also hold state licensure and have a doctoral degree in psychology.