Behavioral Psychologist

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority•Traverse City, MI

About The Position

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (NLCMHA) is seeking a Behavioral Psychologist for its Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) department. The licensed psychologist 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 will be determined among Traverse City, Cadillac, Grayling, or Houghton Lake. The position conducts psychological and behavioral evaluations, including functional behavioral assessments, guardianship evaluations, and competency-related evaluations as assigned. It develops and monitors Behavioral Treatment Plans (BTPs), consults with interdisciplinary teams, and ensures compliance with Medicaid Provider Manual requirements, Michigan Mental Health Code standards, and Behavioral Treatment Committee requirements. The psychologist serves as a clinical resource to staff, providers, families, and community partners on positive behavioral supports, risk assessment, and treatment planning. The role may involve irregular hours and travel by personal vehicle if an agency vehicle is unavailable. Physical demands include occasional lifting up to 25 pounds, stretching or reaching, stooping, and potential exposure to blood-borne pathogens, infectious disease, and hazardous materials. 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 essential functions.

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 Fully Licensed Psychologist is preferred; Limited Licensed Psychologists may be considered.
Maintain professional licensure.
Be eligible for credentialing by NLCMHA to provide services in this professional discipline.
Advanced training in functional analysis and principles of behavior 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.

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, appropriately documented, and regularly reviewed; present cases involving 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, behavioral risk review, and Quality Assurance case review processes, including customer satisfaction, 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 training and other training opportunities to coworkers and service providers in the greater mental health system.
Consult regarding medically necessary services and behavioral treatment recommendations.
Provide brief therapeutic interventions, behavioral consultation, or specialized treatment services when clinically indicated and consistent with program needs.
Participate in person-centered planning and recommend 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.