Psychologist 3- Augusta YDC - Augusta, GA (CCR)

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Responsibility 1   Conduct and document diagnostic evaluations in accordance with applicable professional standards, DJJ policy and guidelines issued by the Office of Behavioral Health Services.

1. Review background information available in JTS and the youth’s health record.

2. Interview youth to obtain psychosocial information, evaluate mental status/current functioning, assess risk factors and assess need for mental health services.

3. Integrate information from record review, interview of youth and staff observations to complete a diagnostic evaluation in JTS that includes pertinent psychosocial information, clinical formulation, multiaxial diagnosis and plans/recommendations for treatment.

4. Communicates results of diagnostic evaluations in treatment team meetings and with other mental health staff who are involved in the youth’s treatment.

5. Authorized psychometric measures should be used as clinically indicated to help clarify youth’s diagnosis, identify treatment needs and measure the youth’s progress in treatment.

Responsibility 2   Provide clinical supervision to mental health staff in accordance with DJJ policy.

1. Provide clinical supervision that focuses on support, development and monitoring of mental health staff’s clinical work with youth. The purpose of clinical supervision is to (1) protect the welfare of youth receiving mental health services; (2) ensure that supervisees function within their level of competence and scope of training; (3) facilitate development of clinical knowledge and skills; and (4) monitor the quality of treatment services provided to youth

2. Supervision sessions are scheduled, structured and clearly documented in a supervision record.

3. Provide 24-hour on-call supervision and consultation as needed to mental health staff and administrative staff.

Responsibility 3   Evaluate and monitor mental health clinical services to ensure they are being delivered in accordance with DJJ policy, professional standards and guidance from the Office of Behavioral Health Services.

1. Reviews and approves all mental health assessments conducted by mental health staff.

2. Conducts a monthly audit of suicide prevention and special management plan processes using tools and guidance issued by the Office of Behavioral Health Services.

3. Conducts a Clinical review of mental health documentation on a bimonthly schedule to evaluate qualitative aspects of mental health documentation.

4. Provides clinical leadership in the facility’s mental health quality assurance program.

5. Collects and analyzes data as needed to assess delivery of mental health services and uses this information to develop plans for improving services.

Responsibility  4   Provide clinical treatment services to youth

1. Provides direct treatment services to youth as needed using group, individual or family modalities in accordance with the youth’s treatment plan.

2. Provides consultation and/or crisis intervention for youth who present emergent issues that pose a potential risk to themselves or others.

3. Documents all services in a timely manner in accordance with DJJ policy and applicable professional standards.

Responsibility 5   Provides clinical education, consultation and leadership for mental health services

1. Provides clinical consultation and guidance to the mental health treatment team through participation in weekly team meetings.

2. Takes a lead role in the development and monitoring of special management plans for youth who present significant/persistent risk for suicide, non-suicidal self-harm, limited ability to cope with everyday stressors in a secure facility or who are at risk of being victimized.

3. Provides case consultation and education to in-service training programs for institutional security and non-security staff.

4. Identifies training needs of institutional security and non-security staff.

5. Prepares and presents appropriate instructional material that meets level and needs of the participants.

Minimum Qualifications:  

Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university, current Georgia license to practice psychology, and two (2) years of experience at the lower level Psychologist 2 (HCP141) or equivalent. 

Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• 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/experience in trauma-informed treatment approaches.

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Juvenile Justice is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. We are a qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

For more information, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/Online-Applications/employee-benefits

THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.

THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE

PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.

DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary : $120,000