chief of psychology - Olympia, WA, United States - State of Washington

Description

Please Note:
COVID Vaccine requirement for DOC employment NO LONGER REQUIRED

Chief of Psychology

Annual Salary $181,213

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the role of Chief of Psychology. This is a full-time position.

The Chief of Psychology position provides the clinical oversight and direction for the delivery of mental health assessment and treatment services.

This position in particular covers WCC (WA Corrections Center, Shelton, WA) , SCCC (Stafford Creek Corrections Center, Aberdeen, WA), and CBCC (Clallam Bay Corrections Center, Clallam Bay, WA).

This position is mostly remote.

This includes providing clinical leadership to the facility based teams to support their work in providing clinically appropriate, medically necessary services to the people on their caseloads.

During times of staff vacancies, this position may provide direct supervision of Psychology Asociates. This position provides SME consultation to major divisions within DOC to include Prisons, Classification and TDU.

This position is also part of the HQ Mental Health team which determines policy and protocol for the delivery of mental health services in DOC.

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter
• Three professional references

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.


Clinical Oversight:

• Clinical Oversight is the evaluation of the clinical practice of Psychologist 4s to ensure their adherence to appropriate clinical practice, ensuring the quality of the assessment and treatment services provided to our patients. This review protects the agency from risk associated with poor clinical practice. Clinical Oversight review includes the evaluation of documentation of services provided to incarcerated individuals to ensure that services have met quality standards. This evaluation will include the assessment, development of a treatment plan and the treatment services provided. In compliance with CQIP, this incumbent will provide Clinical Oversight Monitoring for the Psychologist 4's at WCC, SCCC, and CBCC. During times of a Psych 4 vacancy, this position will provide clinical supervision/oversight to the Psychology Associates at these facilities. These reviews will include (but are not limited to) chart reviews and audits, site visits, and case consultations. Each Psychologist 4 will be provided at least one Clinical Oversight meeting annually during which the outcomes of the Clinical Oversight evaluation will be discussed. Any recommendations for improvements will be provided to the Psychologist 4.
• An annual report will be provided to the administrative supervisor of each Psychologist 4 providing an assessment of their clinical work, as determined by the Clinical Oversight process described above, as well as observed leadership skills.
• Consult with the administrative supervisor on any disciplinary action that is needed for MH staff at these locations.
• Mentor Psych 4's as leaders of their teams to include providing effective clinical supervision to their staff.

SME Consultant to Prisons/Reentry Divisions:

• Represent HS/MH at monthly PREA meetings. Share necessary PREA information with HS staff.
• Represent HS/MH at HCSC. Classification decisions are made based on a multidisciplinary team to include representation by the Mental Health department. In particular when a request for a Mental Health override in the Classification process is made, justification from a Psychologist is necessary to support the request. This process ensures that adjustments in a person's cored classification to accommodate their mental health treatment needs are done so with great scrutiny and assessment of factors of safety. The incumbent will also train and mentor a small team of Psych 4's who will also provide this consultation.
• Represent MH at Reentry Community Safety (RCS) monthly meetings and be available for consultation at other times. This incumbent will contribute to multidisciplinary decision-making about those individuals who will be selected for participation in this program, based on their history of mental health needs and violent behavior.

SME Consultant to


TDU:

• This incumbent will provide the SME knowledge needed in the development and updating of critical CORE and AIS curricula of Understanding Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention. Both of these courses are critical in providing staff the information necessary to effectively and safely fulfill their job duties.
• Instructor for Suicide Prevention and Mental Illness courses as part of NEO/CORE and AIS.
• Available to consult with TDU regarding the development and update of curriculum associated with MH concerns.
• Consult with other divisions, such as CCD, in the development of MH related curricula.

MH Leadership Team:

• A member of the MH Leadership team which determines Policy, Protocol, and process for the delivery of MH services in DOC.
• Responsible for mentoring Psych 4's to be compliant and successful in the implementation of Policy, Protocol and Process.
• Provide back-up for the absence of the Director of Behavioral Health in HS Leadership meetings to include Patient Safety, Mortality Review, Max Committee and MH Transfer Committee.
• Provide expert consultation about mental health services as well as incarcerated individuals to outside agencies. This will include consultation with stakeholders such as Disability Rights Washington (DRW) and the Office of the Correctional Ombuds (OCO). The content of this consultation may include providing information about the implementation of Policies, Protocols and Guidelines and how that might inform the care provided to particular individuals. Consultation will also include responding to questions about the choice of one direction of treatment over another, which requires a high level of expertise in the field.
• Conduct Psychological Autopsies, as needed, in response to suicides within the prison setting. Produce reports to assist in the identification of any patterns or system concerns that could reduce future suicides. A Psychological Autopsy is a specialized evaluation conducted when a person has died by suicide. This in-depth analysis of available information helps to better understand the factors contributing to a person's death and how such events may be prevented in the future.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Psychology from an APA accredited school
• A valid, unblemished license to practice psychology in Washington state
• Five (5) years post-doctoral psychology experience including 3 years supervising other professional psychologists

Competencies:

• Demonstrated skills and ability to manage complex, multi-disciplinary clinical services to insure the agency is meeting the required needs of patients in our statewide system
• Strong interpersonal skills, experience in directing mental health operations, strategic and operations planning, strong systems/program design skills
• Strong ability to work and communicate effectively with other professionals across all DOC divisions, as well as with external stakeholders
• Familiar with the most current literature in psychology and skilled with methods of evidence based research as applied to the practice of psychology

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a correctional setting.
• Knowledgeable about statutory and case law, and standards related to forensic psychology.
• Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
• Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
• Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
• Our Core Values:
• Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
• Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
• People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
• Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
• Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community - understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

Please note:
Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.
• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC to learn more.
• 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. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from and Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:

Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

What We Offer:
As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.

Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Salary is based on experience and is determined at the time a final offer of employment is made. The salary range listed in the job posting includes Steps A-M. Step M is a longevity step and is typically gained six years after being assigned to Step L in your permanent salary range.
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email or call at

For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or