Psychologist IV

Taunton State Hospital is seeking qualified candidates for a Full-Time Psychologist IV. The Psychologist IV functions as a member of a clinical team, develops incentive-based behavioral management programs, provides therapy, assessment, and psychological testing on a referral basis, consults to other staff on psychological issues, and performs related work as required. Responsible for psychology services, assuring that patient needs for psychological services are met by organizing, coordinating services, improving program performance and providing supervision/consultation to staff and trainees. Psychologist IVs, supervise and perform admission assessment, risk screening, specialized clinical risk assessments and diagnostic evaluations including psychological testing when indicated.  Psychologist IVs are responsible for the risk assessments, treatment planning, positive behavior support plan development, consultation with interdisciplinary colleagues and individual and group therapy.  Psychologist IVs practice based on their MA Psychologist License and maintained all of the professional requirements associated. Psychologist IVs may be assigned to supervise as well as manage the services of Psychologist IIIs, Psychologist IIs, post-doctoral staff, doctoral interns, practicum students or other designated interdisciplinary staff/students.

Please Note:  This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week on the day shift.  The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Days off are Sunday and Saturday.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Designs and implements incentive-based behavior management programs in collaboration with the patient and the treatment team to improve their day-to-day functioning, to reinforce the development and utilization of appropriate coping skills, to increase openness to new learning according to TSH protocols and Psychology practice standards.
• Collaborates within a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, nursing staff, and community representatives.
• Performs Risk Assessment and Psychological testing functions, implementing DMH’s risk screening tools per policy, including initial and interval psychological assessments. 
• Performs psycho-diagnostic assessments of the mental condition of patients by conducting intake interviews, investigating histories and evaluating patients’ overall fitness, and to determine the need for and type of psychological testing.
• Facilitates psycho-diagnostic evaluations by arranging testing and counseling, by administering and scoring psychological and educational tests, and by interpreting the results of objective and projective tests to aid in diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Provides counseling and psychotherapy to groups, families, and individuals, to assist people in gaining insight into their problems and motivation to change non-adaptive behavior. Documentation of treatment is complete and consistent with CMS guidelines.
• Participates in the development of treatment plans by presenting individual cases to multi-disciplinary teams, by evaluating the evidence presented, by recommending treatment goals and modalities in order to establish treatment plans uniquely suited to the individual patient.
• Facilitate in-service training, by planning and delivering programs for trainees or others, by developing training programs and methods in areas such as psychotherapeutic techniques and theory, for psychology staff and for other disciplines to ensure the effective provision of services to patients.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate care to the age related and cultural needs of clients/patients served.
• Actively participate in relevant hospital training, both as a learner and contributor, as needed, and meets all training responsibilities both by DMH and for psychological licensure. 
• Meets with and performs administrative and other tasks as requested by the hospital leadership and the Director of the Psychology Department.
• If assigned, provides quality supervision and education to assigned post-doctoral psychology staff, doctoral interns, advanced practicum students and other psychology or interdisciplinary trainees. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Behavioral Theory and ability to develop and implement incentive-based behavior management programs for individual clients.

• Ability to analyze psychological data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of individual, group and family therapy.

• Knowledge of the types and symptoms of mental/emotional disorders.  Ability to recognize symptoms of mental disorders of patients.

• Ability to administer, score and interpret intelligence, aptitude, personality, and other psychological tests.

• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and productive relationships with colleagues and clinical teams.  Experience in working in a multi-disciplinary setting.

• Knowledge of the types and symptoms of mental/emotional disorders in the DSM and the ability to recognize and treat symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders in patients.

• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates’ training needs and either providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.

• Two years' experience in working as a psychologist with emotionally disturbed or mentally ill patients.

License and/or Certification Requirements:

• Current and valid registration as a Psychologist by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Psychology. 

• Based on assignment, travel may be required.  Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

About Taunton State Hospital:

Taunton State Hospital (TSH) operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a 62-bed inpatient facility that provides continuing care inpatient services to adults with major mental illnesses.  The hospital is a leader in the successful integration of the Principles of Recovery and a rehabilitation philosophy into the treatment model and a part of the Southeast Area which works closely with the inpatient treatment teams to facilitate patients’ discharge back to the community.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122, Option 4.