Psychologist (PhD, PsyD) - Pain Treatment Center

Hartford Healthcare•West Hartford, CT

About The Position

The Division of Health Psychology at the Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital is pleased to announce a full-time position opening for a Pain Psychologist (PhD/PsyD) to support an interdisciplinary pain management program serving adults with acute and chronic pain conditions. This psychologist will be embedded within a medically integrated team and play a central role in delivering evidence-based assessment and behavioral pain management services. Job Summary This is a highly collaborative position, closely integrated with an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, advanced practice providers, physical therapists, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals. The team shares a unified mission of improving functioning, quality of life, and health outcomes for individuals living with chronic pain, pain-related disability, and comorbid medical and psychological conditions. The Pain Psychologist is considered a core member of the clinical team and will contribute to the development and delivery of a comprehensive behavioral pain management program. The psychologist will apply a biopsychosocial framework to pain assessment and treatment, addressing the complex interactions among pain, mood, trauma, sleep, substance use, medical illness, and functional impairment. This role requires sensitivity to the stigma and barriers often faced by individuals with chronic pain and a commitment to patient-centered, evidence-based care.

Requirements

Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) from an APA-accredited program
Completion of an APA-accredited internship in Clinical Psychology or Clinical Health Psychology
Licensed or license-eligible to practice Psychology in the State of Connecticut
Specialized training and experience in pain psychology, behavioral medicine, health psychology, or integrated medical settings
Demonstrated competence in evidence-based psychological treatments for chronic pain and comorbid conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD, sleep disorders)
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams
Self-directed, flexible, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced, evolving clinical environment

Responsibilities

Provide behavioral health services to adults with acute and chronic pain conditions, including comprehensive pain-related diagnostic evaluations and assessment of treatment needs
Deliver brief, evidence-based individual and group interventions for pain management, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain (CBT-P), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based interventions, and behavioral activation
Collaborate closely with medical providers to support integrated treatment planning, including opioid stewardship, and functional rehabilitation goals
Conduct pre-surgical and procedural evaluations and generate timely, well-documented reports to inform medical decision-making
Independently maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation and treatment records
Utilize standardized screening tools and outcome measures to assess pain intensity, functional interference, mood, coping, and treatment response
Track clinical outcomes and contribute to data management initiatives related to pain treatment effectiveness
Participate in program development, quality improvement initiatives, and clinical research related to pain psychology and health behavior change
Develop and implement psychoeducational materials for patients and families addressing pain neuroscience education, coping strategies, flare management, and self-management skills
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, care coordination, and communication with outside providers
Provide education and consultation to medical staff through in-services, Grand Rounds, and other training opportunities on psychological aspects of pain and pain management
Opportunities may exist to supervise psychology trainees with an interest in health psychology and pain management