Psychology Associate

Title: Psychology Associate

State Role Title: 49012

Hiring Range: $68,310 minimum, negotiable, based on relevant years of experience

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southern Va Mental Health Inst

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental services support individuals by promoting recovery, self-determination, and wellness in all aspects of life. DBHDS operates 12 facilities: 8 behavioral health facilities for adults, a training center, a psychiatric facility for children and adolescents, a medical center, and a center for behavioral rehabilitation. State facilities provide highly structured, intensive services for individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, or need substance use disorder services. DBHDS is committed to a life of possibilities for all Virginians. This position will work at Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute, a 72-bed Joint Commission accredited State Mental Health Facility, located in Danville, VA. To provide a full range of psychological services for individuals diagnosed with serious, persistent mental illnesses who are served by SVMHI, in compliance with policies of the hospital, policies of DBHDS, and pertinent sections of the Code of Virginia.

This position will provide a full range of psychological services for individuals diagnosed with serious, persistent mental illnesses who are served by SVMHI, in compliance with policies of the hospital, policies of DBHDS, and pertinent sections of the Code of Virginia.

NOTE: This position must be able to work five (5) 8-hour or four (4) 10-hour days but schedule must include Saturday.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in clinical or counseling psychology or equivalent.
Knowledge and experience providing individual and group therapy.
Experience working in an inpatient setting with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

This position also requires:
Proficiency in the administration and scoring of basic psychological testing instruments. Strong psychotherapeutic skills.
Proficiency in assessing and treating individuals with a variety of clinical presentations.
Familiarity with psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model.
Strong oral and written communications skills.
Ability to analyze behavior patterns and develop behavioral assistance plans.
Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
Strong crisis management skills.
Basic computer skills (word processing, computerized test scoring, etc.).


Must be able to work 5-8 hour or 4-10 hour days but schedule must include Saturday.

Additional Considerations

Licensed through the Virginia Department of Health Professions as a Licensed Professional Counselor for providing independent clinical services or eligible for licensure (LPC-A, resident in counseling) to provide supervised clinical services.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Applicants must list all relevant experience that you wish to be considered for this position. Applicants will be provided confirmation of receipt when your application and/or resume is submitted. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

A successful fingerprint-based criminal history check, drug screen, and reference checks are required for the selected candidate for this position. Under Virginia Code §37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services is prohibited from employing or using as volunteers, persons who have been convicted of specific "barrier" crimes or persons who may be the subject of pending "barrier" charges.

Employees may be required to disclose immunization status for purposes of infection prevention and/or management of outbreaks. Upon acceptance of a job offer, new recruits will be asked to disclose their vaccination status (and for those fully vaccinated, proof of vaccination) during the pre-employment process. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Human Resources.

Commonwealth's Alternate Hiring Process: In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS, to get their Certificate of Disability. To obtain a Certificate of Disability go to: or call DARS at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance.

DBHDS is an equal Opportunity Employer. Employment opportunities are open to all regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability. Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY.

SVMHI uses Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment.

SVMHI is a smoke and vape-free facility in all buildings and outside facility grounds.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Note : Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer