Baker Act Court Liaison

Top reasons to work for SMA Healthcare:

  • Career growth and advancement potential
  • Great benefits such as: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, & Disability Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Paid Personal Leave and Paid Holidays
  • 403b Retirement Plan (matches one to one of employee contribution for the first 3%, then a 50% match on the next 6% of employee contribution)


Essential Job Functions

  • Assists inpatient psychiatrist with the daily client flow.
  • Coordinates care for CSU clients who receive an order for a Biopsychosocial Assessment.
  • Ensure all Baker Act and HB1355 forms are completed accurately and electronically filed with the Court.
  • Meet with Public Defender for Baker Act Court.
  • Complete State Hospital Assessments at Halifax.
  • Assist therapist with State Hospital packets.
  • Assist therapist with discharge planning when necessary.
  • Facilitates group therapy on the units such as: problem solving, goal planning, self-esteem, interpersonal skills, anger management, etc.
  • Provides backup for the Case Manager.
  • Ensure services provided to the client are documented in the electronic health record (Avatar) for the client in accordance with all governing standards established by CARF, Medicaid, DCF and SMA. 
  • Takes appropriate action to ensure provision of exceptional and comprehensive services.
  • Receives and forwards client complaints to the appropriate supervisor and advocates for exceptional and comprehensive services for all clients.
  • Serves as a liaison with the community and other service agencies.
  • Attends and participates in meetings and in-service trainings as required.
  • Assists verbally and/or physically abusive or aggressive clients in adherence to the Mandt System.
  • Coordinates transportation for clients and, when needed transports clients in an SMA vehicle in order to execute linkages identified on the service plan.
  • Makes commitment to SMA's mission and core values the SMA Way
  • Abides by principles of EEO compliance and a workplace of dignity and respect.
  • Works cooperatively in a group/team setting.
  • Shows respect to others.
  • Takes guidance and direction from supervisors.
  • Arrives/Reports to work on time and ready to work.
  • Performs related work as required or assigned.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Education and/or Experience:  Graduation from an accredited school with a Master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling education, mental health counseling, psychiatric nursing; or a  Bachelor's degree in a human services field with a minimum of one (1) year experience in a mental health related field; or a registered nurse.

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities:

  • Good knowledge of mental illness, emotional disturbances, addiction and co-occurring disorders, proper therapeutic treatment techniques and psychotropic drugs.
  • Knowledge of the principles of leadership.
  • Knowledge of the basic principles, methods, practices procedures of behavior management.
  • Ability to effectively train and monitor the work of others.
  • Ability to conduct individual and group therapy, in-services, and trainings.
  • Ability to assess and monitor clients and develop realistic goals and objectives.
  • Ability to operate a motor vehicle to transport clients and perform essential functions of the position.
  • Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with client, co-workers, professionals, the general public, and other service agencies in a tactful and courteous manner.
  • Ability to operate standard office equipment, including the telephone, computer, copy/fax/scan machine.
  • Must demonstrate the ability to learn and develop skill with the use of agency electronic systems, including financial/timekeeping tools, web-based training modules and the electronic health record.
  • Ability to interact appropriately with verbally and/or physically abusive and aggressive clients and utilize the Mandt System to ensure the safety and well-being of the client, other clients and fellow employees.
  • Ability to communicate in a therapeutic manner with individuals who are suicidal, psychotic, emotionally and/or psychologically disturbed, and/or are impaired due to substance abuse or addiction.
  • Ability to obtain certification in CPR/First Aid and complete training in the Mandt System, Blood Borne Pathogens & HIV/AIDS within the first month of employment.

Necessary Special Requirements: Possession of a valid Florida driver's license and acceptable driving record, if required, to drive Stewart-Marchman-Act Behavioral vehicle and/or use personal vehicle for SMA business.  Proof of personal automobile insurance if the position requires you to drive your own vehicle for SMA business (does not include incidental use).  Complete State of Florida mandatory level 2 background screening prior to start of employment if direct contact with children/adolescents, vulnerable adults, or the developmentally disabled may be involved.  Complete Mandt training, CPR, First Aid and HIV/AIDS training during the first month of employment and updated as required.

Physical: Mobility and ability to bend and reach during an 8-12 hour day.  Able to lift minimum 10 pounds.  Visual and auditory acuity sufficient to evaluate, intervene, treat, and record client health care needs.  Fine motor skills for legible and accurate charting, daily correspondence and presentation, either manually or orally.  Work endurance ability to work 8-10 hour shifts with a meal break, as possible.  The ability to perform physical interventions with clients when necessary as established by the Mandt System. Routine 8-12 hour shifts.  Hours and days off may vary.  Extra hours may be required.  Work assignment locations may vary.

Application:This class specification is intended to identify the class and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbents.  It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties whose performance may ever be required of such an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such individuals may be given.