Psychology Associate-WSP

Description

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the role of Psychology Associate for the WA State Penitentiary (WSP) located in Walla Walla, WA. This is a full time positions with a day shift schedule.
 
The mission of the Washington State Penitentiary Health Services Department is to provide patients with quality medical, dental, and mental health services consistent with the provisions of the Department of Corrections Offender Health Plan, processes, protocols, and procedures.

As an integral member of the Mental Health Team, and reporting to the WSP Psychologist 4, this person will enhance prison and community safety by making possible effective functioning by mentally ill incarcerated individuals. This will be within programs offered by DOC.

This person will support effectiveness of correctional programs by facilitating successful transition into the community by incarcerated individuals with mental health needs.

This person will enhance safety of prison and community by teaching adaptive skills to incarcerated individuals and by teaching mental health information to staff.

Application assessment will be ongoing, and the hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.

 

"This recruitment could be used to fill multiple vacant positions." 

Duties

Mental Health Assessment and Treatment of Incarcerated Individuals

• Work independently and cooperatively within the mental health team to provide mental health assessments and treatment of incarcerated individuals per the Offender Health Plan, Protocols, and processes and procedures.
• Intake of incarcerated individuals referred for mental health services. This includes: documentation of problem; background and treatment plan; obtaining Informed Consent for Mental Health Treatment; obtaining collateral information from within and outside DOC; referral to additional mental health services (e.g. psychiatric); and follow-up as deemed appropriate.
• Evaluates, diagnoses, and determines mental health acuity and emotional adjustment as well as treatment need of incarcerated individuals (including but not limited to the completion of MHA/ MHU’s. Tx plans, SRA’s etc.).
• Provides direct psychotherapeutic (individual and group) services to incarcerated individuals based upon Evidenced Based Practices and Principles.
• Provides consultation to unit and custody staff with regard to treatment recommendations, precautions, program planning, release planning and handling specific behavior disturbances. Consults and staff’s cases with the supervisor.
• Follows documentation expectations per policy and standards of care.

Crisis intervention

• Be available for communication from DOC staff and/or incarcerated individuals regarding urgent or emergency mental health situations.
• Provides assessment of the crisis.
• Plans and executes interventions including follow-up after resolution to assure stability is established. Includes communication with DOC staff involved with the patient, who have a “need to know”.

Intake

• Intake of incarcerated individuals referred for mental health services, including those who are ROC (received on chain).  This includes documentation of problem, background and treatment plan, obtaining informed consent for Mental Health Treatment, obtaining collateral information from within and outside DOC, referral to additional mental health services (e.g. psychiatric), and follow-up as deem appropriate.
•  Monitor leave usage and timecard submission.

Transition and Release

 

Trainings, meetings, and other duties as assigned.

• Participates in staff meetings for communication and coordination of mental health services. This includes peer review/ quality assurance and CQIP projects.
• Receives training as approved/ required by DOC, includes but is not limited to annual training to staff such as Suicide Prevention and LMS. Participates in MDT’s, Mental Health Duty Officer, and may provide Annual In-Service Suicide Prevention instruction.
• Provide informal education to staff and incarcerated individuals on topics related to the promotion of mental health within the prison and in the community.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor (LAAC).
• Must have the ability to apply for Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor License within 30 days of hire date.
• Additional consideration may be given for higher level DOH MH licenses.

 Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience working independently and effectively to develop to provide individual and group therapies.
• Experience linking clients with resources within institutions and/or the community.
• Experience working in a collaborative fashion as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Official Washington State Licensure as a Mental Health Clinician.
• Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited school or department of Psychology or Master's degree in Psychology and two years of supervised, post Master's degree experience.

Supplemental Information

• Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
• Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
• Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
• Our Core Values:
  1. Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
  2. Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
  3. People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
  4. Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
  5. Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

 

Important Notes or Additional Information

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.  If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.   

**Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references. 

The mission of DOC is to improve public safety. For additional information about the agency, please visit doc.wa.gov.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.    Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or in close proximity to incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days of the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment may also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• If this position is included in a Union Shop, employees will be required to become members within thirty (30) days of employment.
• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds. 
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

 

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:   

Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

 

What We Offer: 

 As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority.  Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.  Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

 

• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year 
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.  

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [email protected] or call at (509) 907-7808.   For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.