Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Job Description

Job Description

Compensation: $90,000 based on experience and qualifications

Position Summary

We are seeking a Child and Adolescent Psychologist who will provide direct treatment and teach. This role will have responsibilities for providing outpatient Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health services with the Health Clinics and for teaching graduate level courses as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology.

Within the Health Clinics, the Psychologist will establish a behavioral health practice for the surrounding community, complementing and enhancing existing behavioral health services at the Health Clinics. The practice will focus primarily on child and adolescent patients, for a broad range of behavioral health conditions.

In the Psychology Department, the faculty member would be expected to teach 3 courses over the academic year. The faculty member would have the opportunity to develop and supervise a clinical practicum for second year doctoral students at RFUHC as an alternative to teaching one course. Please include in the application: 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae , and 3) a teaching philosophy.

Our generous benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution once eligible. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. This position is eligible for 24 days of vacation/ personal leave, 15 sick days, and 9 paid holidays, paid winter break, plus two floating holidays.

Employment Inquiries: Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Kristen Schneider, Chair of the Faculty Search Committee at View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) is a graduate health sciences university committed to serving the population through the interprofessional education of health and biomedical professionals and the discovery of knowledge dedicated to improving wellness. The university embodies the spirit of inquiry and excellence modeled by its namesake Dr. Rosalind Franklin, whose Photo 51 was crucial to solving the structure of DNA.

Today, the university’s 6 colleges continue Dr Franklin’s legacy through rigorous academics, pioneering research, and innovative community service. Our unique interprofessional education model allows students to learn from and with each other in a variety of settings, including our simulation labs, the student-led Interprofessional Community Clinic, and through partnerships with area hospitals and clinics. RFU is a national leader in interprofessional research and practices, and is nationally recognized for its research in areas including neuroscience, brain-related diseases, inherited disorders, proteomics, cancer cell biology and immunology, and gait and balance.

Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics (RFUHC), a subsidiary of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, combines compassionate care with state-of-the-art science to provide patients with the highest quality medical services. With clinics in North Chicago, Libertyville, and Vernon Hills, the physicians of RFUHC are innovators in their fields, offering patients access to the latest discoveries in podiatry, behavioral health and reproductive medicine.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach classroom courses on content such as lifespan development, theories of counseling and psychotherapy, or group psychotherapy.
• Develop student assignments and exams
• Evaluate student performance on assignments and exams
• Serve as a resource for students
• Respond appropriately and in a timely manner to students
• Maintain licensure/certification in the field of Clinical or Counseling Psychology
• Participate in Department committees, as needed, and complete additional assignments at the discretion of the Dean, the Provost, and the President, as needed
• Promote academic excellence and diversity in curriculum and faculty and student recruitment
• Promote a graduate culture of scholarship, teaching, service, and practice
• Complete all required professional development activities as defined in the Faculty Handbook
• Reasonable and consistent attendance to fulfill requirements of the position
• Perform other related duties as needed

Health Clinics

• Establish and maintain a behavioral health practice that provides 16–20 hours of direct patient care access per week for child and adolescent patients.
• Conduct comprehensive behavioral health assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and treatment planning for children and adolescents presenting with mental health, emotional, and behavioral concerns.
• Provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions, counseling, and ongoing behavioral health management in accordance with professional standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with primary care providers and other healthcare professionals to support an integrated, team-based approach to patient care.
• Coordinate care with community behavioral health providers, schools, social service agencies, and specialty care resources to ensure continuity of care and appropriate referrals.
• Develop and maintain referral pathways that complement existing behavioral health services and address gaps in access to care within the community.
• Educate patients and families regarding behavioral health conditions, treatment options, coping strategies, and available community resources.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case reviews, care coordination meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant clinical documentation within the electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Monitor patient outcomes and contribute to program evaluation efforts to improve access, quality, and effectiveness of behavioral health services.
• Promote early identification and intervention for behavioral health concerns through collaboration with clinic staff, schools, and community partners.
• Support outreach and community engagement activities that increase awareness of behavioral health services available through the Health Clinics.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, accreditation, confidentiality, and organizational policies and procedures.

Contribute to the strategic growth and sustainability of behavioral health services within the Health Clinics by identifying opportunities to expand access and improve patient outcomes

All full-time faculty members employed by RFUMS are expected to engage in activities that are considered core to their primary role as a faculty member. These activities may include teaching, scholarly activity, and service.

Teaching responsibilities vary and may include:

• Direct instruction
• Curriculum management
• Assessment
• Advising and mentoring for students

Scholarly activities vary and may include:

• Original scholarship
• Grant procurement
• Research mentoring

Service activities vary and may include internal and external contributions through:

• Committees
• Contributions to the profession
• Recruitment
• Direct patient care

Scholarly activities are negotiated and determined at the department level and are primarily based upon the faculty track.

Required Education & Experience

• PhD or PsyD in clinical or counseling psychology
• Licensed Clinical Psychologist
• Minimal of 2-3 years’ experience within child and adolescent mental health populations.
• Post-Doctoral training

Conditions of Employment

• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Expertise in the area of course content
• Knowledge of effective teaching strategies
• Ability to stimulate student thought through classroom interaction
• Ability to fairly and accurately evaluate student performance
• Ability to embrace diversity
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development, behavioral health conditions, and evidence-based treatment modalities for pediatric and adolescent populations.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing behavioral health practice, patient privacy, and confidentiality, including HIPAA requirements.
• Familiarity with community behavioral health resources, referral networks, school-based services, and social service agencies.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive behavioral health evaluations and develop individualized treatment plans that address the unique needs of children, adolescents, and their families.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships and effectively engage child and adolescent patients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
• Strong clinical judgment and decision-making skills, including the ability to assess risk and respond appropriately to behavioral health crises.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning as an integral member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Proficiency in electronic health record (EHR) systems, documentation standards, and basic computer applications.
• Ability to analyze patient outcomes and utilize data to support quality improvement and program development initiatives.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships that enhance access to behavioral health services and improve care coordination across the continuum of care.
• Ability to adapt to changing healthcare environments, priorities, and community needs while maintaining a high standard of clinical care.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous graduate level teaching experiences
• 5+ years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents
• Experience practicing independently in an outpatient behavioral health setting
• Experience collaborating with pediatric primary care providers, psychiatrists, schools, and community agencies
• Expertise in evidence-based treatment modalities for common child/adolescent behavioral health conditions
• Experience supervising trainees
• ABCCAP Board Certification

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

● Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, Including Disability / Vets