Behavioral Psychologist

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority•Houghton Lake, MI

About The Position

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (NLCMHA) is seeking a Behavioral Psychologist for its Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) department. This licensed psychologist position provides specialized psychological and behavioral services to children and adults with IDD, autism spectrum disorder, co-occurring mental health conditions, and complex behavioral support needs. The work location is to be determined among Traverse City, Cadillac, Grayling, or Houghton Lake. The psychologist conducts psychological evaluations and behavioral assessments, including Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), guardianship evaluations, and competency-related evaluations as assigned. The role includes developing and monitoring Behavioral Treatment Plans (BTPs), consulting with interdisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with Medicaid Provider Manual requirements, Michigan Mental Health Code standards, and Behavioral Treatment Committee requirements. The psychologist is a clinical resource to staff, providers, families, and community partners on positive behavioral supports, risk assessment, and treatment planning. The position may involve irregular hours and travel by personal vehicle when an agency vehicle is unavailable. Occasional physical demands include lifting up to 25 pounds, stretching or reaching, exposure to blood-borne pathogens and infectious disease, exposure to hazardous materials, and stooping. Frequent demands include hand and finger dexterity, in-person and telephone communication and hearing, and close-work vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology or School Psychology, or a master's degree with Limited License Psychologist status may be considered based on experience and organizational needs.
Michigan licensure as a Fully Licensed Psychologist is preferred; Limited Licensed Psychologist candidates are considered.
Must maintain licensure.
Must be able to obtain credentialing from NLCMHA to provide services in this professional discipline.
Advanced training in functional analysis and principles of behavioral treatment if the degree is not primarily focused on behavioral psychology.
A doctoral degree in psychology and full licensure may be required to perform some duties and responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Michigan licensure as a Fully Licensed Psychologist is preferred.
Advanced training in functional analysis and principles of behavioral treatment, particularly for candidates whose degree is not primarily focused on behavioral psychology.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations for children and adults receiving community mental health services.
Conduct guardianship evaluations and provide professional recommendations regarding capacity, decision-making abilities, and least restrictive alternatives consistent with Michigan law.
Provide psychological consultation regarding competency, capacity, and adaptive functioning as clinically indicated.
Administer, score, interpret, and document psychological testing instruments and behavioral assessment tools.
Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) in accordance with Medicaid and Behavioral Treatment Committee requirements.
Identify behavioral functions, environmental variables, risk factors, and treatment recommendations.
Develop, review, and monitor Behavioral Treatment Plans (BTPs) using positive behavioral support principles.
Ensure restrictive interventions are clinically justified, appropriately documented, and regularly reviewed.
Present cases requiring restrictive interventions to the Behavioral Treatment Review Committee.
Monitor implementation and effectiveness of Behavioral Treatment Plans and recommend modifications based on data and clinical outcomes.
Serve as a subject matter expert on IDD, autism spectrum disorder, applied behavioral analysis principles, behavioral supports, and positive behavioral interventions.
Consult with Supports Coordinators, Case Managers, clinicians, providers, families, and community partners regarding treatment strategies.
Help prevent psychiatric hospitalization, emergency department utilization, residential disruption, and crisis episodes through proactive behavioral intervention planning.
Participate in utilization management, quality improvement, incident review, and behavioral risk review processes as assigned.
Participate in interdisciplinary staffing and other pertinent consumer and staff meetings.
Ensure psychological services meet agency, state, federal, and other applicable standards and policies, and remain current with relevant laws and regulations.
Provide in-service and training opportunities to coworkers and service providers in the greater mental health system.
Consult regarding medically necessary services and behavioral treatment recommendations.
Participate in Quality Assurance case review procedures, including customer satisfaction review.
Provide brief therapeutic interventions, behavioral consultation, or specialized treatment services as clinically indicated and consistent with program needs.
Participate in person-centered planning and provide recommendations regarding behavioral, psychological, and treatment needs.
Collaborate with consumers and staff to assess needs, develop treatment goals, objectives, methodologies, and timelines, and evaluate progress toward goals.
Participate in and provide agency leadership in the Culture of Gentleness philosophy and techniques.