LEAD MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Are you looking for a career you can feel good about? We hire only those that strive to do their best. By joining our family, you'll receive the honor and recognition that comes with working for the industry's global leader in evidenced based rehabilitation.

Who We Are:

GEO provides complementary, turnkey solutions for numerous government partners worldwide across a spectrum of diversified correctional and community reentry services. From the development of state-of-the-art facilities and the provision of management services and evidence-based rehabilitation to the post-release reintegration and supervision of individuals in the community, GEO offers fully diversified, cost-effective services that deliver enhanced quality and improved outcomes.

Why Work for GEO:

• We believe that work is more than a place you go to every day. It is about being inspired and motivated to achieve extraordinary things.
• Employee benefits play an important role in making The GEO Group a great place to work. At GEO, we believe in the three pillars of employee wellbeing: physical, emotional, and financial. With comprehensive benefits and competitive wages, we trust that you will find all the resources you need here to be successful.

Responsibilities

The Lead Mental Health Professional evaluates patients for mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.  Diagnoses disorders and determines the appropriate course of treatment.  Responsible for directing and coordinating behavioral health functions as well as supervising behavioral health professionals and training staff members.

• The Lead Mental Health Professional performs psychological evaluation on population for mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.  Provides appropriate diagnosis based on history and presenting symptoms and makes appropriate treatment recommendations. 
• Evaluates patient’s mental status and severity of symptoms in determining the need for transfer to a higher level of care or placement under observation due to suicide risk or inability to adjust within regular population due to severity of symptoms. 
• The Lead Mental Health Professional provides psychotherapy or counseling for the treatment of psychological disorders or mental illness. 
• Makes appropriate referrals as necessary to a psychiatrist or other licensed professional who specializes in prescribing psychotropic medication.
• The Lead Mental Health Professional demonstrates an awareness of the psychotropic medications, monitors medication compliance, and makes referrals to the appropriate licensed medical professional should the inmate exhibit possible medication side effects. 
• Instructs staff and officers in recognizing suicide risk factors and subsequent prevention techniques.
• The Lead Mental Health Professional provides in-service education for medical and security staff as required. Performs and trains staff on crisis intervention techniques as required.
• Performs administrative duties in keeping accurate records of patient encounters, documenting all services provided, filling out required reports and analyses as required.
• Consults with the Physician and/or Psychiatrist as needed for the proper health care needs of the patient.
• Participates in review of the quality of care provided.  Monitors compliance with regard to the timely completion of treatment plans and clinical care provided.   
• Completes peer reviews for behavioral health professionals.
• Available for emergency calls and/or telehealth services after routine business hours as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D. in Psychology or M.A., M.S., or M.S.W. from an accredited university.
• Current independent license in Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, or Social Work in the state in which the facility is located.    (Current copy of license must be on file at the facility at all times.)
• Two (2) years of experience providing both clinical services and supervisory experience in a secure setting is preferred.
• Ability to work in crisis situations in a professional and mature manner.
• Strong counseling and motivational skills.
• Must be able to work individually and in a team environment.
• Above average verbal and writing skills.
• Must be able to develop clear and concise reports in a timely manner.
• Ability to work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.

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