Behavioral Psychologist

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority•Grayling, MI

About The Position

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (NLCMHA) is seeking a licensed psychologist for its Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) department. The 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 includes psychological evaluations, behavioral assessments and functional behavioral assessments, guardianship and assigned competency-related evaluations, development and monitoring of Behavioral Treatment Plans (BTPs), and consultation with interdisciplinary teams. The psychologist ensures services comply with Medicaid Provider Manual requirements, Michigan Mental Health Code standards, and Behavioral Treatment Committee requirements, and serves as a clinical resource to staff, providers, families, and community partners on positive behavioral supports, risk assessment, and treatment planning. The position may be based in Traverse City, Cadillac, Grayling, or Houghton Lake; the location is to be determined. It may require irregular hours and travel by personal vehicle when an agency vehicle is unavailable. The role may also involve brief therapeutic interventions, behavioral consultation, or specialized treatment services as clinically indicated and consistent with program needs.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology or School Psychology; a master's degree with Limited License Psychologist status may be considered based on experience and organizational needs.
Michigan licensure as a psychologist; full licensure is preferred, and Limited Licensed Psychologists may be considered.
Maintain licensure.
Ability to be credentialed by NLCMHA to provide services in this professional discipline.
Advanced training in functional analysis or 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.
Ability to meet occasional physical demands, including lifting up to 25 pounds with or without assistance, stretching or reaching, and stooping; the role also involves exposure to blood-borne pathogens, infectious disease, and hazardous materials.
Frequent hand and finger dexterity, in-person and telephone communication and hearing, and close-work vision.

Nice To Haves

Advanced training in functional analysis or principles of behavioral treatment, particularly when the degree is not primarily focused on behavioral psychology.
Full Michigan psychologist licensure.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations for children and adults receiving community mental health services.
Conduct guardianship evaluations and provide 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 using positive behavioral support principles.
Ensure restrictive interventions are clinically justified, documented, and regularly reviewed; present cases involving restrictive interventions to the Behavioral Treatment Review Committee.
Monitor Behavioral Treatment Plan implementation and effectiveness, 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.
Support prevention of psychiatric hospitalization, emergency department use, residential disruption, and crisis episodes through proactive behavioral intervention planning.
Participate in utilization management, quality improvement, incident review, behavioral risk review, interdisciplinary staffing, and other pertinent consumer and staff meetings as assigned.
Ensure psychological services meet agency, state, federal, and other applicable standards and policies; remain current with applicable laws and regulations.
Provide in-service training to coworkers and service providers in the greater mental health system.
Provide consultation regarding medically necessary services and behavioral treatment recommendations.
Participate in Quality Assurance case review procedures, including customer satisfaction review.
Participate in person-centered planning and make 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.
Participate in and provide agency leadership in the Culture of Gentleness philosophy and techniques.
Travel by personal vehicle if an agency vehicle is unavailable; the position may require irregular hours.

Benefits

Medical insurance with four options.
Dental insurance with two options.
Vision insurance with two options.
Health Savings Account.
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
MERS Retirement Plan with employer matching up to 5%.
Paid time off: 18 days in the first year.
13 holidays.
Employee Assistance Program.
Short-term disability.
Long-term disability.
Accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.