Psychologist (PsyD)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PsyD)
Reports To: Behavioral Health Director
Department: Behavioral Health
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Operation Samahan Mission

Building Healthier and Happier Communities Together

Opsam Health is a federally qualified community health center serving individuals and families throughout San Diego County. The organization provides accessible, comprehensive healthcare services with a focus on underserved, uninsured, and underinsured communities.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Director, the Licensed Clinical Psychologist provides comprehensive behavioral health services to patients as part of an integrated healthcare team.

The Psychologist provides psychological assessment, diagnostic evaluation, individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, treatment planning, behavioral health consultation, and care coordination. The Psychologist works collaboratively with primary care providers, behavioral health clinicians, case management, and other members of the healthcare team to address patients' behavioral, emotional, psychological, and psychosocial needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Services

• Provide individual and group psychotherapy using evidence-based and clinically appropriate interventions.
• Conduct comprehensive psychological and behavioral health assessments.
• Conduct clinical interviews, psychosocial assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and behavioral health screenings.
• Diagnose mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions within the Psychologist's scope of practice.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on clinical assessment, diagnosis, patient needs, and treatment goals.
• Review and update treatment plans based on patient progress and clinical need.
• Provide treatment for patients presenting with a range of behavioral health conditions, including complex or co-occurring conditions.
• Provide brief behavioral health interventions when appropriate within an integrated primary care setting.
• Provide patient and family education related to behavioral health conditions, treatment recommendations, and coping strategies.
• Refer patients to appropriate behavioral health, psychiatric, medical, or community-based services when additional or specialized treatment is indicated.
• Provide clinical services consistent with professional standards and the Psychologist's scope of practice.

Psychological Assessment and Diagnostic Services

• Conduct diagnostic evaluations to identify mental, emotional, behavioral, and psychological conditions.
• Select and use clinically appropriate assessment methods based on the patient's presenting concerns and treatment needs.
• Administer, score, and interpret psychological assessment instruments when appropriate and within the Psychologist's training and competency.
• Integrate clinical history, behavioral observations, assessment findings, and other relevant information when developing diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations.
• Communicate assessment findings and treatment recommendations to patients and appropriate members of the healthcare team.
• Refer patients for specialized neuropsychological, developmental, psychiatric, or other assessments when clinically indicated.

Documentation and Treatment Planning

• Complete accurate and timely documentation of patient encounters in the electronic health record.
• Document assessments, diagnoses, progress notes, treatment plans, risk assessments, consultations, referrals, and other required clinical information.
• Maintain documentation consistent with organizational policies, payer requirements, and applicable professional standards.
• Clearly document medical necessity, treatment interventions, patient response, and progress toward treatment goals as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and complete patient records.
• Communicate clinically relevant information to appropriate members of the patient's interdisciplinary care team.

Integrated Behavioral Health and Consultation

• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health clinicians, case managers, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Provide behavioral health consultation to medical and behavioral health staff regarding patient care when appropriate.
• Participate in coordinated treatment planning for patients with behavioral health and medical conditions.
• Assist the healthcare team in identifying behavioral, psychological, and psychosocial factors that may affect a patient's physical health, treatment adherence, or overall well-being.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations, clinical meetings, and care coordination activities.
• Coordinate referrals to psychiatric services or higher levels of behavioral health care when clinically appropriate.
• Support continuity of care between behavioral health, primary care, specialty care, and community-based services.

Crisis Intervention and Patient Safety

• Evaluate and respond appropriately to patients experiencing behavioral health crises.
• Conduct suicide, self-harm, violence, and other appropriate risk assessments.
• Develop safety plans and identify appropriate interventions based on the patient's level of risk.
• Follow organizational procedures for behavioral health emergencies and crisis situations.
• Coordinate with the Behavioral Health Director, medical providers, emergency services, crisis services, or other appropriate resources when a patient requires a higher level of care.
• Follow applicable mandated reporting requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of crisis assessments, interventions, consultations, and disposition.

Quality Management

• Participate in behavioral health quality improvement and organizational performance activities.
• Support efforts to improve access to behavioral health services, continuity of care, clinical outcomes, and patient experience.
• Participate in chart reviews, peer review activities, clinical case conferences, and other quality initiatives as assigned.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve behavioral health workflows and integration with primary care.
• Maintain professional knowledge and remain current with evidence-based practices, professional standards, and developments within the field of psychology.

Patient and Community Relations

• Maintain professional and respectful relationships with patients, families, staff, community partners, and members of the public.
• Provide culturally responsive services that recognize the diverse backgrounds and needs of the communities served.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, and other factors that may affect access to behavioral healthcare.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Behavioral Health and interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Participate in community outreach, patient education, or organizational events as assigned.

HIPAA, Privacy, and Compliance

• Maintain confidentiality of patient, employee, and organizational information.
• Access confidential information only as necessary to perform assigned job responsibilities.
• Comply with HIPAA, organizational privacy practices, corporate compliance requirements, and applicable behavioral health regulations.
• Maintain appropriate professional and ethical boundaries with patients and families.
• Report suspected unethical, fraudulent, unlawful, or unsafe activity according to organizational policy.
• Provide psychological services consistent with applicable professional, ethical, and scope-of-practice standards.

QUALIFICATIONSEducation and Experience

• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from a qualifying educational institution.
• Current California licensure as a Psychologist required.
• Previous experience providing psychotherapy, psychological assessment, diagnostic evaluation, or other behavioral health services preferred.
• Experience working within primary care, integrated behavioral health, community health, or an FQHC setting preferred.
• Experience working with underserved and medically or behaviorally complex populations preferred.
• Experience working with patients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish, Tagalog, or another language commonly spoken by the patient population preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of psychological assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, psychotherapy, and behavioral health intervention.
• Knowledge of evidence-based psychological treatments and interventions.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and appropriate referral procedures.
• Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning skills.
• Ability to evaluate and treat patients with complex behavioral health presentations.
• Ability to establish effective therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong clinical documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to provide consultation and communicate clinical recommendations effectively to interdisciplinary healthcare professionals.
• Ability to manage multiple patient needs and priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients of different ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and levels of health literacy.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and exercise sound clinical judgment.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and basic computer applications.

ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSURE, AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Current and unrestricted California Psychologist license issued by the California Board of Psychology.
• Maintain all continuing professional development and other requirements necessary to maintain active California licensure.
• Current CPR certification as required by the organization.
• Complete required annual organizational, compliance, HIPAA, safety, and clinical trainings.
• Maintain professional competency consistent with assigned clinical responsibilities.
• Reliable transportation may be required for travel between Opsam Health locations based on operational needs.