Psychologist- Macon YDC - Macon, GA (CCR)

Juvenile Justice, Department of • Macon, GA

4d

About The Position

The Psychologist works for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice at Macon YDC in Macon, Georgia. The role conducts diagnostic evaluations of youth, provides clinical supervision to mental health staff, monitors the quality and policy compliance of mental health services, delivers treatment and crisis intervention as needed, and provides clinical education, consultation, and leadership. The position includes 24-hour on-call supervision and consultation as needed.

The Psychologist reviews youth records and background information, interviews youth, assesses mental status, functioning, and risk factors, and documents diagnostic evaluations in JTS. Evaluations integrate record reviews, interviews, and staff observations, and include clinical formulation, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. The role also reviews and approves staff mental health assessments, audits suicide-prevention and special-management plans, and conducts scheduled reviews of mental health documentation and service delivery.

Treatment services may include individual, group, or family modalities, as well as consultation and crisis intervention for emergent risks. The Psychologist participates in weekly treatment team meetings, leads the development and monitoring of special-management plans for youth with significant or persistent risks, and provides consultation, education, and training to institutional security and non-security staff.

Requirements

• Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association-accredited college or university.
• Current Georgia license to practice psychology; the license may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.
• Two years of experience at the lower-level Psychologist 2 (HCP141) or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

• Licensed with the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
• Experience working with adolescents in residential treatment or secure juvenile justice settings.
• Experience providing clinical supervision to clinical staff.
• Training or experience in trauma-informed treatment approaches.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and document diagnostic evaluations in accordance with professional standards, DJJ policy, and guidance from the Office of Behavioral Health Services.
• Review youth background information and health records; interview youth; assess psychosocial information, mental status, current functioning, risk factors, and mental health service needs.
• Integrate records, interviews, and staff observations into diagnostic evaluations in JTS, including clinical formulation, diagnosis, and treatment plans or recommendations.
• Communicate evaluation results in treatment team meetings and with mental health staff involved in youth treatment; use authorized psychometric measures when clinically indicated.
• Provide structured, documented clinical supervision to mental health staff, supporting their development and monitoring their clinical work and competence.
• Provide 24-hour on-call supervision and consultation as needed to mental health and administrative staff.
• Evaluate and monitor mental health services for compliance with DJJ policy, professional standards, and Office of Behavioral Health Services guidance.
• Review and approve mental health assessments conducted by mental health staff.
• Conduct monthly audits of suicide-prevention and special-management plan processes and scheduled clinical reviews of mental health documentation.
• Provide clinical leadership in the facility’s mental health quality assurance program; collect and analyze service-delivery data and develop improvement plans.
• Provide direct individual, group, or family treatment services to youth as needed and in accordance with treatment plans.
• Provide consultation or crisis intervention for youth with emergent issues that may pose risks to themselves or others.
• Document services in a timely manner in accordance with DJJ policy and professional standards.
• Provide clinical consultation and guidance to the mental health treatment team through weekly team meetings.
• Lead development and monitoring of special-management plans for youth at significant or persistent risk of suicide, non-suicidal self-harm, difficulty coping with everyday stressors in a secure facility, or victimization.
• Provide case consultation and education in in-service training programs for institutional security and non-security staff; identify training needs and prepare and present appropriate instructional materials.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement and savings plan options
• Paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Sick leave
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Total Rewards programs intended to improve work environment, job satisfaction, and work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree