Psychologist (Clinical) (40 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.     

We are currently seeking a full-time Psychologist (Clinical) (PCN 112513), to help lead our 6th floor Inpatient unit (PICU 1).  The position is located at the Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS), Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center (GBCMHC), located at 1635 Central Ave., Bridgeport CT, 06610.  It is 1st shift 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, full time, 40 hours.  

PICU 1 provides assessment and stabilization, with the emphasis on community reentry.  PICU 1 is one  of three locked units at this location that are responsible for providing treatment for severely and acutely ill psychiatric patients who require a safe, supportive, highly structured hospital level of care. The treatment goals are developed in which the individual can be: stabilized, evaluated, rehabilitated, helped to accept the need for ongoing treatment, and assisted in regaining a level of functioning that will allow the person to be treated in a less restrictive environment or to return to community-based living. 

• Are you a self-starter?
• Do you have a passion for supporting others?
• Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal health care environment in the public sector?

If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our Joint Commission accredited hospital as an integral part of our Inpatient Services Division. Our facility provides comprehensive inpatient treatment services to clients with a range of psychiatric issues. This treatment is performed in a safe, supportive and highly structured hospital level of care, with emphasis on community re-entry.

In this role you will:

• Meet criteria for appointment to the SWCMHS psychiatric medical staff and meet all requirements for the granting of psychiatric clinical responsibilities/privileges as per the Medical Staff By-laws;
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, which is comprised of psychiatry, nursing, clinicians, and rehabilitation and case managers;
• Serve as a significant contributor to the treatment team and oversee the care to those on your unit;
• Participate in planning, documentation, performance improvement and discharge planning. 

Discover the opportunity to:

• Provide psychotherapy both individual and groups serving a diverse inpatient population group;
• Administer psychological assessments including selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of intelligence, projective, achievement, personality and diagnostic tests;
• Help cultivate your unit’s inpatient treatment program;
• Be a liaison with outside providers to coordinate client care;
• Work within a multidisciplinary treatment team and provide clinical know how, when needed. 

In addition to a variety of medical and dental plans, the State of Connecticut offers new employees participation in a hybrid retirement plan which provides a retirement benefit, which may include retiree health insurance.  Paid time off is also offered, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year in addition to vacation, sick and personal leave accruals.

Please ensure that your application is complete and you have included your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application.  You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, attendance, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. You do not have to attach these documents to your application submission.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Andrew Pebley, DMHAS HR at MHA-DMHAS-Recruitment@ct.gov or (860) 262-6946.

In a state facility, this class is accountable for performing the full range of psychotherapy or other professional psychological services including diagnostic testing, behavior modification, program development and evaluation, community outreach, education and training, rehabilitation and/or research.

Participates in and coordinates clinical psychological services for a complex ward or group of wards or comparable units staffed by psychiatric, nursing or other patient care personnel; provides consultation on difficult cases representing complex mental, emotional and/or social problems; engages in diagnostic and psychotherapeutic services; attends staff meetings; coordinates psychological treatment modalities with other disciplines and services; develops and implements new service programs; conducts research and reports findings in a manner suitable for professional publication; consults with community agencies and organizations; conducts training sessions for interns and staff and may participate in training of psychiatric residents; may address lay and professional groups; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of abnormal and clinical psychology; considerable knowledge and skill in selection, administration, scoring and evaluation of intelligence, achievement, personality and diagnostic tests; considerable knowledge of psychological research methodology including experimental design, data analysis and application of findings; knowledge of other psychological disciplines; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to make clinical diagnosis and prognosis and develop treatment plans; considerable ability to conduct psychotherapy; considerable ability to write case histories, discharge summaries and professional reports; ability to coordinate clinical services with comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment plans.

A doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology and one (1) year of post doctoral experience as a psychologist working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

1. Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license to practice psychology in Connecticut. Any person employed by the State of Connecticut prior to July 1, 1985 with a title in the Psychology series of the classified service shall be exempt from the above licensure requirement pursuant to Public Act 613, Section 119(c). For certain positions the appointing authority may require state licensure.
   
2. Incumbents in this class must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs as defined in 42 U.S. § 1320a-7b(f).
   
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language.
   
4. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain patients/ clients or inmates; may have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and to risk of injury from assaultive/abusive patients/clients or inmates; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.