Director of Psychology and Forensic Services

DHRM•Petersburg, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277-bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction, scheduled for completion in August 2027. CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds), along with 166 beds for individuals needing inpatient care and those in the criminal justice system. The hospital believes in holistic, person-centered treatment, recognizing that recovery is not linear. Treatment modalities include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, court preparation, and substance use treatment. Central State Hospital is recruiting for a Director of Psychology and Forensic Services to provide executive leadership and administrative oversight for the hospital's psychological and forensic service lines. Serving as the hospital's chief clinical psychologist, this position is responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating comprehensive psychological and forensic programs that support the delivery of safe, effective, and evidence-based inpatient behavioral health services. The Director ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Joint Commission and CMS standards, and professional practice requirements while promoting a recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed model of care. As a member of the hospital's senior clinical leadership team, the Director provides strategic direction, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, oversees quality improvement initiatives, and leads the development of a highly skilled workforce dedicated to achieving positive patient outcomes and advancing the mission of Central State Hospital.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology from an accredited college or university.
Licensure as a Clinical Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Progressive supervisory and/or managerial experience in the practice of clinical psychology.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and evaluating behavioral intervention programs for individuals with complex behavioral health needs.
Comprehensive knowledge of applied behavior analysis, clinical psychological services, and psychological assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation.
Comprehensive knowledge of the administration and delivery of mental health services within an inpatient behavioral health setting.
Knowledge of current psychological theories, evidence-based practices, and emerging trends in the field of psychology.
Knowledge of federal and state statutes, regulations, and professional standards governing the practice of psychology.
Knowledge of research principles, program evaluation, and the application of research to improve clinical practice.
Demonstrated supervisory and leadership skills.
Considerable skill in conducting and interpreting psychological evaluations for adult and forensic patient populations.
Ability to apply advanced clinical judgment in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with complex behavioral health and forensic needs.
Ability to develop and implement special projects that enhance the quality of psychological services, improve patient outcomes, and support a positive work environment for staff.
Ability to serve as a designated representative of the Chief Clinical Officer, providing leadership, decision-making support, and administrative oversight as needed.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience providing psychological assessment, treatment, and consultation services to forensic patient populations.
Strong knowledge of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, documentation requirements, and accreditation standards applicable to inpatient behavioral health settings.
Significant experience in systems management, including developing, implementing, and evaluating operational processes that improve service delivery, quality, and organizational effectiveness.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership and administrative oversight for the hospital's psychological and forensic service lines.
Serve as the hospital's chief clinical psychologist.
Plan, direct, and evaluate comprehensive psychological and forensic programs.
Ensure the delivery of safe, effective, and evidence-based inpatient behavioral health services.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Joint Commission and CMS standards, and professional practice requirements.
Promote a recovery-oriented, person-centered, and trauma-informed model of care.
Provide strategic direction as a member of the hospital's senior clinical leadership team.
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Oversee quality improvement initiatives.
Lead the development of a highly skilled workforce dedicated to achieving positive patient outcomes and advancing the mission of Central State Hospital.
Direct, develop, and evaluate professional staff.
Conduct and interpret psychological evaluations for adult and forensic patient populations.
Apply advanced clinical judgment in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with complex behavioral health and forensic needs.
Develop and implement special projects that enhance the quality of psychological services, improve patient outcomes, and support a positive work environment for staff.
Serve as a designated representative of the Chief Clinical Officer, providing leadership, decision-making support, and administrative oversight as needed.