Psychologist

DIHS is seeking a Psychologist to assume responsibility for the psychological assessment and evaluation of detainees and the appropriate referral to outside treatment facilities. Provides required counseling, psychotherapy, behavioral analysis, substance abuse education, and therapy. Determines need for and provides direct mental health services to detainees with identified mental health and substance abuse problems. Participates with health team members and provides guidance in the treatment planning process for detainees identified with mental health problems. May also provide mental health education and training to ICE and medical staff. Facilitates contact between the detainee patient and his/her social support systems.

Duties and Responsibilties:

• The incumbent is responsible for the psychological assessment and evaluation of detainees and the appropriate referral to outside treatment facilities in those cases of extremely severe mental disturbance. The incumbent also completes written evaluation reports on the mental health status of referred detainees.
• Provides counseling, psychotherapy, behavioral analysis, substance abuse education, and therapy as required. The incumbent is further responsible for recognizing when problems of adjustment, and maladaptive behavior or others conditions interfere with successful treatment and for referring detainees with such problems to the appropriate mental health facility for intensive mental health care.
• The incumbent shall determine the need for and provide direct mental health services to detainees with identified mental health and substance abuse problems utilizing psychoeducational and treatment modalities as appropriate in the treatment of mental disorders. Report to a physician if the expected outcome of drug therapy is not being achieved.
• The incumbent participates with other health team members in the treatment planning process for detainees identified with mental health problems, and providing general psychological guidance in the handling demanding and difficult detainees.
• The incumbent shall serve as a mental health and substance abuse consultant to other health professionals at the facility. The incumbent also may provided education and training to ICE and medical staff in the area of mental health to include but not limited to suicide prevention, abuse and neglect and victims of torture.
• Facilitates contacts between the detainee patient and his/her social support systems.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with other health services professionals and mental health organizations.
• The incumbent may be assigned other duties as may be required by the Medical Director, Mental Health Consultant, National Mental Health Coordinator, and Clinical Director. These may include participation in monthly mental health meetings and presentations to ICE/DIHS staff of annual trainings and other trainings as needed.

FACTOR 1, Education and Training:

The incumbent shall have a Ph.D., or PsyD, in clinical psychology from a regionally accredited University or Professional School of Psychology, two years of supervised experience in either clinical, counseling, or health psychology, and licensed by a State or Territory at the doctoral level for the independent practice of psychology. Incumbents with graduation dates after 1 January 1982 shall meet the requirements for inclusion in the National Registry of Psychologist Providers. Those with doctoral degrees granted prior to 1 January 1982 shall meet the provisions for "Health Service Psychologist" or "Health Service Provider" under appropriate State or Territorial statues.

The incumbent shall maintain his/her continuing professional education by completion of training to keep professional licensure and to meet the needs of DIHS.

The incumbent must be capable of respecting and protecting the confidential nature of his/her work. Also the incumbent must be able to coordinate widely diverse activities that contribute to an integrated result. He/she must be reliable and demonstrate good judgment, as his/her performance will normally have profound effects on the detainees and their involvement with the US Government.

FACTOR 2, Supervisory Controls:

The incumbent works as an independent provider of mental health services. The incumbent is expected to take responsibility for the mental health care of detainees at the facility, and to solve problems ordinarily found in the accomplishment of the provision of mental health services in the facility. The incumbent shall also have local responsibility for the development and implementation of mental health local operating procedures.

For reporting and evaluation purposes DIHS Medical Director will be the supervisor. Reviewing official shall be the DIHS Director.

FACTOR 3, Guidelines:

The work guidelines for the position are available in the Policy and Procedures Manuals addressing administrative and health care issues. The incumbent shall use professional judgment in interpreting and applying guidelines to clinical practice. The Clinical Director and the HSA may provide consultation as needed.

FACTOR 4, Complexity:

The work position consists of specific functions of Psychology to include but not limited to: observation, description, testing, evaluation, interpretation, diagnosis, and treatment (to include but not limited to cognitive behavioral, and psychotherapy) in management of numerous patients simultaneously.

FACTOR 5, Scope and Effect:

The combined forensic and clinical aspects of work effects the mental health and general well being of the detainees, as well as the prevention of the introduction potentially dangerous individuals into the community.

FACTOR 6, Professional Contacts:

Professional contacts are with detainee patients, private security agents, ICE custodial staff, ICE and contract health care providers, and other individuals from a variety of state and federal government agencies involved with ICE detainees.

FACTOR 7, Purpose of Contacts:

The Psychologist's responsibility is to provide a full range of direct mental health care services to ICE detainees and relate to other health care providers providing a continuum of care.

FACTOR 8, Physical Demands:

The Psychologist may be subject to verbal and/or physical abuse from detainees. ICE security officers and contract security are on duty in the DIHS clinic to minimize such occurrences. The incumbent is subject to short term relocation (i.e. TDY) at the discretion of DIHS.

FACTOR 9, Work Environment:

Work normally takes place in an ICE detention center and the hours of work shall be from 8am to 5pm. The hours of work may be modified with the consent of the Health Services Administrator.