Staff Psychologist

POSITION SUMMARY
 

Under the direct supervision of the designated Wexford Health manager, provides psychological services to patients receiving mental health services.  Duties include assessment, consultation, liaison, and psychotherapeutic interventions as appropriate.  Communicates clinical findings in writing, as well as through consultation with Mental Health Unit staff.  Utilizes electronic medical record system as applicable throughout the scope of duties and responsibilities.

Locations:  Pontiac Correctional Center/Pontiac, IL

Logan Correctional Center/Lincoln, IL

Menard Correctional Center/Chester, IL

Pinckneyville Correctional Center/Pinckneyville, IL

JOB RELATIONS

Supervision Received
§  Direct supervision from the designated Wexford Health manager

§  Takes direction from IDOC personnel as appropriate, including but not limited to, Wardens, HCUA, Supervising Mental Health Professionals.
supervision excercised
§  Supervise provision of services provided by lower level mental health professionals
Relationships
§  Works effectively with patients, all clinical staff as well as custody and administrative staff on all levels.
 

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
 

1.    Conduct psychological screening, assessment and/or evaluations on all offenders referred for examination and/or treatment following IDOC format and guidelines.

2.    Prepare treatment plans on all offenders requiring specialized therapy.

3.    Supervise the provision of services by all Vendor qualified mental health professionals

4.    Participates in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.

5.    Serve as member or leader of the Center Crisis Intervention Team. This may include:

·         Providing assessments and brief therapy to offenders identified as experiencing a psychological/emotional crisis.

·         24 hour, on-call status for consultation in crisis situations.

·         Training of Crisis Intervention Team members.

·         Maintaining required crisis intervention documentation and monitoring all delivery of service to offenders on crisis status.

6.    Provides clinical evaluation for treatment needs of inmates referred by medical, counseling, security or other facility staff.

7.    Provides clinical supervision of the facility Crisis Team.  This includes provision of quarterly Crisis Team training and consultation to team members on all crisis interventions.  Such consultations may be carried out by phone during off duty hours.

8.    Provides crisis intervention counseling, brief therapy and group therapy as indicated for Center residents

9.    Provide consultation to center staff and administration on the treatment of specific offenders or pertaining to broader Center program issues impacting the mental health of staff and offenders.

10.  Completes comprehensive psychosocial history on each admission to the Mental Health Unit.

11.  Provides individual and group therapy for offenders identified through evaluation or referred by other qualified mental health professionals.

12.  Administer, score and interpret objective and projective psychological testing in appropriate cases.

13.  Conduct discharge planning for seriously mentally ill offenders returning to the community in the absence of a Clinical Social Worker.

14.  Provides documentation in accordance with unit policies and procedures.

15.  Contributes to Mental Health Unit development and evaluation.

16.  Conduct staff training and development and assist in the design of treatment techniques, interventions and programs.

17.  Participates in and conducts in-service programs; assists in orientation of new staff, provides staff training to facility personnel on mental health issues including the function of the Crisis Team and how to access its services

18.  Monitor the provisions of crisis services to include review of documentation for accuracy, completeness, and fulfillment of Center directives and procedures

19.  Coordinate closely with the Center consulting psychiatrist to ensure patients requiring evaluation for medication or re-evaluation of current medications are seen by the psychiatrist/physician in a timely manner and the psychiatrist is aware of any information pertinent to the patient’s clinical condition.

20.  Monitor the clinical condition and treatment of special offender populations (e.g., Guilty but Mentally Ill, Developmentally Disabled, Seriously Mentally Ill) as determined necessary by the ADs or local policy (center’s institutional directives).

21.  Maintain documentation on all mental health contacts to include submission of a monthly summary report to the IDOC Chief of Mental Health Services and/or Wexford Health Sources representatives as required or requested.

22.  Where applicable, provide services for those inmates who need to be transferred to Mental Health facilities.  Services to include any work-up or court hearing testimony needed.

23.  Where applicable, participate in the treatment programming and planning, discussion of problem cases, follow up and monitoring of medication and general psychiatric input.

24.  Provide mental health services in compliance with all Administrative Directives and Departmental Rules.

25.  Provide staff training in areas related to mental health issues such as signs and symptoms of mental illness, management of mentally ill inmates, crisis intervention and related topics.

26.  Participate in Behavioral Health Ground Rounds as directed.

27.  Attends mandatory in-services on annual basis.

28.  Adheres to universal precautions and other appropriate infection control practices.

29.  Maintains open lines of communication via attendance at staff meetings and/or use of communication book.

30.  Adheres to safety and security policies and participates in disaster drills.

31.  Follows security regulation policies and participates in disaster drills.

32.  Provides documentation in accordance with unit policies and procedures.

33.  Receives direction from IDOC personnel as appropriate, including but not limited to Wardens, Health Care Unit Administrators

34.  Conforms to Wexford Health Sources, Inc., and facility regulations as appropriate, to include, but not be limited to:

a.    Dress code

b.    Schedule/time sheet/time clock

c.    Safety and security regulations

d.    Procedure for sick leave/vacation time/education seminars

28.   Maintains the confidentiality of inmate records.

29.   Approaches change in a positive manner.

30.   Makes suggestions for improving work conditions to the Medical Director and Health Care Unit Administrator.

31.   Accepts constructive criticism in stressful situations.

32.   Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above and within the scope of his/her clinical training and/or licensure/certification.

The duties and responsibilities outlined herein are for payroll purposes only; employees may be assigned other duties as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
 

The physical demands that are described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, to hear and to see, to stand, walk, and sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, instruments or controls, to reach with hands and arms, to stoop or crouch, balance and kneel, may be required to lift and/or move objects.  Must be able to ambulate throughout the facility for extended periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Must be able to clearly communicate orally and via written and typed correspondence and notes using various forms, records, charts, and electronic media.

Employee may be exposed to a challenging environment, which may include exposure to loud noises, bloodborne and airborne pathogens.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
 

OFFICE
Health Care Unit in a correctional facility, which includes daily interfacing with inmates, correctional staff, and health care personnel.  Temperature extremes may be encountered while moving throughout the facility outdoors and indoors in buildings without air conditioning.
TRAVEL
Minimal travel required

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
Experience in working in a clinical setting as a psychologist or licensed mental health professional.  Prior experience with use of electronic medical record system.

EDUCATION
Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology