Psychology Associate - S298- WSP

State of Washington•Walla Walla County - Walla Walla, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the role of Psychology Associate for the Washington State Penitentiary located in Walla Walla, WA. The mission of Mental Health Services is to provide patients with quality medically necessary mental health care that promotes incarcerated individual wellness and is consistent with the provisions of the Washington DOC Offender Health Plan, processes, protocols, and procedures. Under the clinical and administrative supervision of Psychologist 3 or 4, this position supports this mission by providing evidence based on mental health programming that helps treat and stabilize their mental health and subsequent behaviors, thereby reducing risk factors while promoting wellness and prosocial behaviors.

Requirements

Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor (LAAC).
Must have the ability to apply for Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor License within 30 days of hire date.
Master’s degree in psychology and two years of supervision, post master’s degree experience, or Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of Psychology.
At least one year of experience working independently and effectively to develop to provide individual and group therapies.
Experience linking clients with resources within institutions and/or the community.
Experience working in a collaborative fashion as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Independently held license to practice mental health through Washington State Department of Health; active with no conditions.
Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards.
Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds.
Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application.
Candidates who are offered a job with the Department of Corrections must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Additional consideration may be given for higher level DOH MH licenses.

Responsibilities

Work independently and cooperatively within the mental health team to provide mental health assessments and treatment of incarcerated individuals per the Washington DOC Health Plan and relevant Mental Health policies, protocols, processes and guidelines.
Intake of incarcerated individuals referred for mental health services. To include documentation of problem; background and treatment plan; obtaining Informed Consent for Mental Health Treatment; obtaining collateral information from within and outside DOC; referral to additional mental health services (e.g. psychiatric); and follow-up as deemed appropriate.
Evaluate, diagnose, and determine mental health acuity and emotional adjustment as well as treatment need of incarcerated individuals (including but not limited to the completion of MHA/MHU’s, Tx plans, SRA’s etc.).
Provide direct psychotherapeutic individual and group services to incarcerated individuals based upon Evidenced Based Practices and Principles.
Provide consultation to unit and custody staff with regard to treatment recommendations, precautions, program planning, release planning and handling specific behavior disturbances.
Consult and staff cases with the supervisor.
Follow documentation expectations per policy and standards of care.
Be available for communication from DOC staff and incarcerated individuals regarding urgent or emergency mental health situations.
Provides assessment of the crisis.
Plan and execute interventions including follow-up after resolution to assure stability is established.
Provide information as needed for continuity of care.
Complete assessments for recommendation of placement and/or release of patients on suicide watch.
Complete assessments for recommendation of placement and/or release of patients in restraint beds or chairs.
Provide administrative and clinical supervision to Correctional Mental Health Counselor staff.
Monitor leave usage and timecard submission.
Complete supervisory functions which include: Completion of Position Descriptions, Performance and Development Plans, and Performance and Development Plan Evaluations.
Monitor and assess clinical skills based on the Clinical Practice Parameters for the CMHC. This includes routine review of clinical documentation such as MHU/A’s, Treatment Plans, SRA’s and Mental Health Encounter Reports.
Complete Supervisory Conference Forms documenting weekly supervision.
Serve as Mental Health Duty Officer on rotation basis and/or as assigned.
Actively participate in all clinical in-service meetings and training as assigned.
Participate in Involuntary Antipsychotic Medication Hearings as designated and appropriate and may provide Annual In-Service Suicide Prevention instruction as designated and appropriate.
Provide informal education to staff and incarcerated individuals on topics related to the promotion of mental health within the prison and in the community.
Coordinate and facilitate transition and release needs of incarcerated individuals as assigned with outside agencies and community services in conjunction with re-entry/release staff.
Other duties as assigned.