VBHC – INDEPENDENT CLINICAL REVIEWER (ICR) CULTURAL SPECIALIST

Job Title: Independent Clinical Reviewer (ICR) Cultural Specialist 
Department: VBHC – Adult PHF (72 Beds) and Child & Adolescent PHF (52 beds)

Supervisor: Administrative Coordination through Program Leadership 
Location: Colton, CA 
Level: Independent Contractor 

Job Summary

The Independent Clinical Reviewer (ICR)—Cultural Specialist provides independent clinical evaluations with a focus on culturally responsive care, equity, and the needs of historically underserved populations. This role operates within an LPS-designated psychiatric facility and is responsible for ensuring that clinical determinations impacting individuals receiving involuntary and voluntary inpatient psychiatric services are both medically appropriate and culturally informed.

The position requires an understanding of how clinical decision-making intersects with the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act and associated court-related processes, including the impact of evaluations on detention status, patients’ rights, and potential legal proceedings. The reviewer must assess whether treatment is appropriate, necessary, and delivered in the least restrictive setting while also identifying cultural, linguistic, or systemic factors that may influence access to care, engagement in treatment, or clinical outcomes.

This role requires the ability to evaluate complex psychiatric cases through both a clinical and equity-focused lens. The ICR must maintain strict independence from the treating team, apply objective judgment, and produce clear, defensible determinations that align with regulatory standards and San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) expectations.

Engagement in this role is subject to approval and/or recognition by San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health and applicable oversight entities, as required.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

1. Conduct independent clinical reviews with a focus on cultural and equity considerations. 

1. Evaluate medical necessity and appropriatenessofinpatient psychiatric treatment.

1. Assess whether care is provided in the least restrictive and clinicallyappropriate setting. 

1. Evaluate treatment decisions for potential bias or disparities impacting patient care.

1. Assess language access, cultural relevance, and patient engagement factors in treatment planning. 

1. Identifybarriers toequitablecare, including systemic, socioeconomic, or cultural factors. 

1. Evaluate how cultural and systemic factors may influence legal and detention-related outcomes within the LPS framework.

1. Provide recommendations to improve culturally responsive andequitabletreatment delivery. 

1. Review clinical documentation for completeness, consistency, and regulatory compliance. 

1. Prepare written determinations that are clear, culturally informed, and legally defensible. 

1. Collaborate with other Independent Clinical Reviewers (ICRs) when cases involve complex clinical or cross-population considerations. 

1. Conduct reviews across both child/adolescent and adult populations whenappropriate. 

1. Maintain independence from treating clinicians and facility operations at all times.

1. Participate in audits or regulatory review processes asrequired. 

1. Disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest and refrain from participation where a conflict exists. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education: 
Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in a behavioral health discipline, including psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field, is required. 
Medical degree (MD or DO) with psychiatric training is preferred, particularly for candidates working across both adult and child/adolescent populations.

Experience: 
Minimum three (3) years of experience working with diverse, underserved, or marginalized populations within behavioral health settings. 
Experience within San Bernardino County behavioral health systems, LPS-designated facilities, or court-related processes is preferred.

Specialized Skills:

• Knowledge of cultural competency and health equity principles in behavioral health care 
• Understanding of the LPS population, including individuals receiving involuntary and voluntary inpatient psychiatric services 
• Familiarity with how LPS processes intersect with the court system, including the impact of clinical determinations on detention status 
• Ability to evaluate clinical care considering cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic factors 
• Skill inidentifyingpotential bias or disparities in treatment and detention-related decisions 
• Understanding of trauma-informed care across diverse populations 

• Ability to assess language access needs and culturallyappropriate communication
• Experience working with historically underserved or marginalized populations 
• Ability to conduct reviews across both child/adolescent and adult populations 
• Ability to collaborate with other Independent Clinical Reviewers (ICRs) on complex cases 
• Strong written communication skills to produce clear, culturally informed, and defensible determinations 
• Familiarity with San Bernardino County behavioral health systems preferred 

Physical Requirements

Primarily sedentary work involving prolonged sitting, computer use, and review of electronic health records and documentation systems.

Licenses/Certifications

Active California clinical license required. 
License must be active, unrestricted, and in good standing with the applicable licensing board.

Potential Job Hazards

Indirect exposure to high-acuity psychiatric cases and emotionally sensitive subject matter.

Safety Precautions Required

Adherence to confidentiality standards, secure handling of protected health information, and compliance with all applicable safety and documentation protocols.