AbuseNeglect Investigator

Title: Abuse/Neglect Investigator

State Role Title:49171

Hiring Range: Salary Up to $72850; Salary to Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location:Central State Hospital

Agency Website: Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870 when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the persons individual needs recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication evidence-based group and individual therapy peer support psychosocial rehabilitation vocational training preparation for court and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Patient Care Investigator who will play a critical role in promoting a safe respectful and therapeutic environment by conducting timely thorough and objective investigations into allegations of abuse neglect and patient rights violations. This position requires the use of trauma-informed population-appropriate interviewing techniques; comprehensive evidence gathering and analysis; and the preparation of clear well-supported investigative reports. The investigator will collaborate with clinical teams Human Resources Quality and external agencies communicate findings to leadership and support corrective actions and performance improvement efforts. Additional responsibilities include identifying trends and system vulnerabilities supporting staff education on patient rights and reporting requirements participating in audits and regulatory activities and ensuring all work is conducted with strict confidentiality professionalism and impartiality. The role may also involve providing oversight to other investigators participating in legal proceedings as a knowledgeable witness and performing related duties as assigned to support patient safety and organizational compliance.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required to Successfully Perform the Job:

Strong investigative analytical and critical thinking skills.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple investigations prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including strong grammar spelling and professional report writing.
Ability to conduct sensitive interviews and manage complex high-risk situations.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles.
Ability to interpret policies regulations and legal standards.
High level of professionalism discretion and ethical judgment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health records systems.
Previous supervisor experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:
Experience in healthcare behavioral health investigations risk management or compliance required.
Experience conducting abuse/neglect or administrative investigations in a healthcare or institutional setting.
Familiarity with regulatory standards (e.g. CMS state licensing patient rights requirements).
Experience working with forensic or court-ordered psychiatric populations.
Active valid Virginia Drivers License

Additional Considerations

Preferred:
Knowledge of psychiatric hospital operations and patient populations.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to Your Application in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginias Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police FBI) local agency checks Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks employment verification and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1 the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers individuals convicted of specific (barrier) crimes or those with pending barrier charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation please notify Human Resources at during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture hair type and protective hairstyles such as braids locks and twists) sex color national origin religion sexual orientation gender identity or expression age veteran status political affiliation disability genetic information and pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans active members of the Virginia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package including your choice of health plans paid life insurance retirement plans 13 paid holidays annual leave family personal leave sick leave employee discount programs and more!

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 1-

Email:

In support of the Commonwealths commitment to inclusion we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation if applicable to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at .

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1 2022- February 29 2024 can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.