Psychologist

Currently recruiting a Psychologist in Tacoma, WA to coordinate complex clinical operations at a facility that houses individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Behavioral Health Provider (BHP) is a licensed independent clinical psychologist who serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in mental health and substance use disorder (s). The BHP possess a high level of skill in the assessment, diagnoses, and treatment of patients with mental health concerns, and/or serious mental illness or serious mental disorders (SMI/SMD).

DUTIES OF THE PSYCHOLOGIST:

• Provides direction and oversight to multidisciplinary team in the implementation and management of an integrated mental health treatment program.
• Provides direct care to patients within discipline Scope of Practice and performs functions in accordance with current accepted practice, licensure, certification, credentialing and or granted privileges.
• Provides treatment of persons throughout the life span as appropriate to discipline and facility setting.
• May be expected to respond to and or coordinate response to medical emergencies.
• May be expected to provide telehealth services based on patient needs and healthcare situation.
• If providing tele-behavioral health services for patients at other IHSC facilities as needed and as the local facility allows, only in the states the provider is licensed, to include:
• Working with the patient s local health staff to coordinate care for any identified behavioral health concerns (patient s local administrative staff will coordinate the appointment).
• Using IHSC video teleconferencing equipment and electronic medical records (EMR) software to examine and record the patient s plan of care.
• Tele-behavioral health services will be provided in accordance with the IHSC Tele-Mental Health Services policy.
• OPTIONAL: Provider may choose to obtain additional state licensing, outside of the state of his/her duty station, at provider s own expense, to provide out-of-state tele-behavioral health services. If this optional service is provided according to IHSC facilities needs and policy.
• Provides psychological assessment, evaluations, and psychological testing.
• Develops, manages, and monitors patient treatment plans in coordination with behavioral health technicians to assess patient level of functioning and progress.
• Provides appropriate referral to outside treatment facilities for those cases of extremely severe mental disturbance.
• Provides referral, identification, and evaluation for those identified as having a significant mental illness using Mental Health Review Form (IHSC-883).
• Possesses a high level of skill in assessing, recognizing, and treating problems of adjustment, and maladaptive behavior or other conditions which affect successful treatment;referring such patients to the appropriate mental health facility for intensive mental health care.
• Determines the need for and provide direct mental health services to patients with identified mental health and substance abuse problems utilizing psychoeducational and treatment modalities as appropriate in the treatment of mental disorders to include on-site counseling, psychotherapy, group therapy, substance abuse education, and behavioral analysis.
• Will assist the Clinical Director, Staff Physician or Clinical Services Manager/designees in providing orientation and guidance to medical staff on Detoxification of Chemically Dependent individuals and actions to take if a person is suspected of being chemically dependent on drugs or alcohol upon intake or during custody.
• Reports status to a physician, psychiatrist, or psychiatric advanced practice provider if the expected outcome of drug therapy is not being achieved.
• Utilizes the multidisciplinary approach in the treatment planning process for detainees identified with mental health problems.
• Develops training/clinical education materials as required and provides consultation to medical, ICE, contract staff regarding issues that include, but are not limited to risk assessment, housing recommendations for handling difficult, demanding, and mentally ill persons.
• Serves as a mental health and substance abuse consultant to other health professionals at the facility.
• Provides education and training to ICE and medical staff in the area of mental health to include, but not limited to, suicide prevention, hunger strike, abuse and neglect and victims of torture.
• Facilitates contacts between the patient and his/her social support systems.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with other health services professionals and mental health organizations.
• Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies and position.
• Maintains functional proficiency and ease of use utilizing electronic health records as required by, and appropriate to, position.
• Completes and passes all discipline specific competencies testing, initially and annually.
• Completes all initial, annual and ad hoc training as required/assigned.
• Maintains patient confidentiality, and confidentiality of medical records, in compliance with the Privacy Act and HIPAA regulations in all work activities.
• Adheres to, and maintains awareness of, IHSC Policies, Procedures, Directives, Operational Memoranda and accreditation standards as prescribed by ICE/IHSC.
• Adheres to, and participates in, IHSC s Safety, Prevention, Infection and Control, Quality Improvement, Patient Education and other programs and collateral duties as appropriate to position.
• Attends and participates in general/medical staff meetings.
• Obtains information to assist IHSC in responding to external inquiries regarding ICE Case Management Unit related issues
• Coordinates and monitors program functions including Post Order Custody Reviews (POCR), and Availability of Health Care Programs
• Serves as the suicide prevention program coordinator in the absence of the Supervisory Behavioral Health Provider (BHP) and as assigned by Clinical Director if no Supervisory BHP is present
• Coordinate with HQ Behavioral Health Unit for continuity of care for placement in, or treatment of, residents in appropriate settings as required by the conditions of release outlined by ICE
• Responsible for all case management which may involve community treatment placement, hospital placement, or other after care situations
• Provides oversight and consultation to behavioral health technicians and interns, as applicable.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A Doctoral Degree in Psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association.
• Minimum one year of clinical practice at the licensed independent level as a clinical psychologist.
• Experience implementing and managing a new mental health treatment program and/or a Modified Therapeutic Community treatment model. (Preferred, not required)
• Experience in a detention/correctional or residential healthcare setting (preferred, not required).

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

• Hold a full, current and unrestricted license at the Doctoral level for the independent practice of Psychology issued by the state in which the duty station is located. Any changes to license must be reported to employer.
• Meet requirements for inclusion in the National Registry of Psychologist Providers if graduated after 1 January 1982.
• Meet requirements for Health Service Psychologist or Health Service Provider under appropriate state of practice statue, if Doctoral degree was received prior to 1 January 1992.
• Maintains BLS for Healthcare Providers certification through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

ABOUT THE ARORA GROUP

The Arora Group is an award-winning, Joint Commission-certified healthcare services and workforce solutions company that has provided medical care for the men and women who serve our country since 1989. Arora is one of the nation s top employers of physicians, nurses, allied health, dental, and other professionals in government contract jobs. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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