Adult Independent Clinical Reviewer ​/ Hearing Officer

Adult Independent Clinical Reviewer / Hearing Officer About this position

Facility Overview – View Behavioral Health Adult, Colton

View Behavioral Health Adult, Colton is a planned 72-bed adult LPS-designated Psychiatric Health Facility in Colton, California. The Adult PHF is designed to provide acute inpatient psychiatric evaluation, stabilization, treatment, and discharge planning for adults experiencing serious behavioral health crises. The program is part of the broader View Behavioral Health Campus, which is being developed to support a coordinated continuum of behavioral health services for the communities served.

Department: VBHCI – Adult PHF (72 Beds)

The Certification Review Officer (CRO), also referred to as a Hearing Officer, is responsible for conducting certification review hearings for adult patients who have been detained under the Lanterman‑Petris‑Short (LPS) Act and certified for continued involuntary treatment under applicable adult LPS provisions.

This role applies to the adult LPS population, including adults initially detained under WIC §5150 and subsequently certified for additional involuntary treatment under WIC §§5250 and 5270, as applicable. This role does not apply to minor detentions under WIC §5585.

The CRO serves as an independent, neutral decision-maker within a quasi‑judicial framework. The CRO applies the applicable probable cause standard, evaluates clinical documentation and testimony, and issues written determinations regarding whether continued involuntary detention is legally supported.

The CRO must maintain strict independence from facility operations, clinical treatment decisions, and utilization review functions while ensuring hearings are conducted efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) expectations and Patients’ Rights oversight practices.

This is a Certification Review Officer / Hearing Officer role. It is separate from any Independent Clinical Reviewer function and should not be combined with ICR responsibilities.

1. Conduct certification review hearings for adult LPS patients pursuant to applicable requirements, including WIC §§5250 and 5270, following initial detention under WIC §5150.

2. Determine whether probable cause exists to support continued involuntary detention.

3. Ensure all due process protections are upheld, including timely notice, access to a Patients’ Rights Advocate, and opportunity for representation.

4. Maintain neutrality and independence in all proceedings.

5. Review certification documentation in advance to identify deficiencies or compliance concerns.

6. Evaluate testimony, clinical evidence, and documentation for consistency and legal sufficiency.

7. Issue written determinations that are clear, evidence‑based, timely, and legally defensible.

8. Complete and submit all required documentation in accordance with regulatory, county, and facility standards.

9. Ensure compliance with Title 9 CCR, DHCS Patients’ Rights requirements, applicable LPS standards, and San Bernardino County DBH policies.

10. Coordinate with Patients’ Rights Advocates and facility staff for scheduling and hearing logistics while maintaining independence from treatment and facility operations.

11. Participate in audits or regulatory reviews as required.

12. Maintain accurate records for legal and regulatory purposes.

13. Identify patterns of documentation deficiencies and communicate concerns to designated administrative contacts without compromising independent case‑by‑case decision‑making.

Education:

A Juris Doctor (JD), a Master’s degree, or higher in behavioral health, psychology, social work, public administration, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience in administrative hearings, behavioral health systems, patients’ rights, or quasi‑judicial proceedings may be considered in lieu of formal education, consistent with county eligibility requirements.

Experience:

Minimum two (2) years of experience conducting or participating in LPS certification review hearings or similar quasi‑judicial proceedings is…