DSHS BHA Psychologist

Description

BHA Maple Lane Psychologist 4

Consider joining our dynamic team at Maple Lane / Columbia Unit in Grand Mound, WA near Centralia. The residential treatment facility (RTF), located in the Cascade building on the Maple Lane campus, provides behavioral health care for up to 30 civil or forensic residents. The mission of this program is to promote recovery, resilience, and rehabilitation for those residents.

As a Psychologist 4, you are in an integral role, responsible for the clinical oversight of the inter-disciplinary treatment team, delivering psychosocial interventions to an assigned group of residents, and coordinating with the court for residents as needed. In collaboration with the treatment team you will advise on a resident’s appropriateness for privileges within the scope of applicable forensic policies and RCW 10.77. In this capacity, you will advise and document community access privileges and will develop clinical targets for residents to meet for treatment progress toward safe community access and eventual release to the community.

You will supervise up to six Psychology Associates and one Institutional Counselor/Peer Support Specialist. You will promote trauma-informed care by monitoring the delivery of evidence-based group and individual therapy, promote effective interpersonal skills regarding treatment, perform appropriate evaluations relevant to a resident’s psycho-diagnostics or other standards as set forward by compliance needs, and implement milieu-based psychosocial rehabilitation techniques.

Opportunities performed on - site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Complete routine risk assessments relevant to public safety and privilege assessments.
• Assist in reviewing resident appropriateness for RTF.
• Conduct psychological testing and assessments when necessary to clarify diagnoses, support resource access, determine decision making capacity, and other purposes as necessary.
• Foster interdisciplinary treatment approaches that are trauma-informed and inclusive of the interests and perspectives of treatment team members.
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation of integrated treatment plans.
• Provide psychological interventions; group and individual psychotherapy, completion of documentation (e.g., progress notes, START, NGRI patient assessment update), and development of Behavior Management Plans.
• Participate in meetings with interdisciplinary team.
• Support direct-care staff in managing and responding to high-risk behaviors such as self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation, and/or risk of violence towards others.
• Supervise up to six Psychology Associates and one institutional counselor/ peer support specialist in delivery of individual and group treatment or other assigned tasks.
• Ensure the mental health treatment provided is trauma-informed, ethical, evidence-based, and appropriate within the program framework.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation for mental health services.
  
  

What we're looking for:

• A Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology;
  
  

AND

• Possession of a license to practice psychology in the state of Washington.
  
  

Preferred Skills/Abilities

• Experience working with mental health issues in an inpatient setting.
• Experience with the NGRI processes as set out in RCW 10.77, especially pertaining to evidence based risk assessments.
• Knowledge of and experience delivering “third wave behavioral” therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and/or Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model and its application to inpatient psychiatric residents.
• Ability to assess mental status and administer, score, interpret, and appropriately write up psychological and neuropsychological tests (e.g. DRS-2, MoCA, M-FAST, MMPI-2, RBANS, TOMM, WAIS-IV) to facilitate case formulation, diagnosis, and assessment of dangerousness and/or suitability for discharge to less restrictive facilities.
  
  

See Why People Like You Choose To Work Here

To Apply

Please Provide The Following

• Resume or CV
  
  

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions about 04995? Please contact Kathy.Simmons@dshs.wa.gov or call (360) 725-5810.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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