STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director Of Psychological Services (Clinical)

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240716-1835MP-001

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Introduction

Are you a dedicated and compassionate professional who is committed to making a difference in the lives of others? 
If so, we invite you to apply today to take the next step in your career as the Director of Psychological Services! 

THE POSITION
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is searching for a Director Of Psychological Services (Clinical) to join their dynamic team! This position will provide regular, individual supervision as well as ad hoc supervision of the Supervising Psychologist of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) Service and the Supervising Psychologist of the Competency Service. 

In this key leadership position, you will oversee the delivery of psychological services and ensure the highest standards of care for our patients. Your contributions will make a lasting impact on the mental health and well-being of our community! 

Please note: This is a Hazardous Duty position. 

HIGHLIGHTS
  • FACILITY: Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH)
  • UNIT: WFH Administration
  • ADDRESS: 70 Obrien Drive, Middletown, CT
  • SCHEDULE: Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week, First Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday 
  • POSITION NUMBER: 144011

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Review Temporary Leave and Conditional Release (TL/CR) applications as the CEO designee;
  • Chair the Dutcher Review Committee (DRC) and DRC Administrative meeting to review progress towards community transition; 
  • Facilitate meetings with the Dutcher Supervising Clinician, the Director of Social Services, and Chief Medical Officer focused on community transition;
  • Collect, interpret, and disseminate data related to community transition;
  • Facilitate a variety of variations/types of PSRB trainings to hospital staff and stakeholders;
  • Liaison with community partners to facilitate community transition and compliance with acquittee requirements, e.g., Sex Offender Registry, Deadly Weapon Registry, etc.; 
  • Testify before the PSRB; 
  • Evaluate new Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect acquittees 
  • Write 60-day reports; 
  • Compile and present statistics on the PSRB Service;
  • Attend leadership, Manager/Director of Nursing, Governing Body, Quality Review Safety Committee (QRS), Utilization Management meetings; and 
  • Attend Labor Relations and Human Resource (LR/HR) meetings. 
ABOUT US 
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. 

WFH specializes in providing inpatient services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The hospital consists of 91 maximum security beds and 138 enhanced security beds.  Services are provided to individuals who are admitted under the following categories: Psychiatric Security Review Board commitment, Criminal court order for restoration of competency to stand trial, Civil commitment (voluntary or involuntary) and Transfer from the Department of Correction (during period of incarceration or at end of sentence). Discharge options are dependent on legal status and the purpose of admission.

PLEASE NOTE

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!


Please Note: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

TO APPLY
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 
  • In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited.  If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
  • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
AFTER YOU APPLY 
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • NOTE: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
  • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
    CONNECT WITH US 
    • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
    • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jensine Tran at jensine.tran@ct.gov. 

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In the Department of Correction this class is accountable for directing all psychological services.In the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services this class is accountable for acting as the assistant director of psychological services for the department.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Directs staff and operations of psychological services; 
    • Coordinates, plans and ensures provision of psychological services throughout delivery system;
    • Formulates and leads psychological services team in attainment of program based goals and objectives; 
    • Assists in formulation and implementation of organizational and site-specific policies and procedures;
    • Interprets and administers pertinent laws; 
    • Ensures overall operations within budgetary guidelines;
    • Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of psychological services who might impact program activities;
    • Oversees program staffing to ensure appropriate resource allocation and compliance with collective bargaining agreements and labor laws; 
    • Enforces psychological services policies and agency administrative directives;
    • Coordinates with human resources to ensure hiring, retention, training and promotion of qualified staff;
    • Provides ongoing performance feedback and evaluations and initiates and enforces progressive discipline when necessary; 
    • Provides consultation and assistance to regional directors; 
    • Develops and implements new techniques and procedures to improve quality of services; 
    • Investigates complaints relating to patient and/orclient or inmate and/oroffender abuse and employee problems; 
    • Directs and conducts psychological training programs; 
    • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
    • May conduct individual and group psychotherapy, behavior modification procedures and psychological evaluations;
    • Performs related duties as required. 

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Considerable knowledge of
      • and ability to apply management principles and practices; 
      • relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and professional standards;
      • agency policy and procedures;
      • psychological disciplines and methodology with special emphasis on a clinical approach;
    • Knowledge of new developments in field of psychology; 
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills; 
      • oral and written communication skills; 
    • Considerable ability to
      • design, implement and evaluate new services and programs; 
      • appraise effectiveness of existing operations; 
      • prepare complex administrative and professional reports; 
      • teach and provide clinical supervision;
    • Ability to
      • prepare grant applications and budgets.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    A Doctorate degree in clinical psychology or a closely related field and two (2) years of post-doctoral experience as a licensed clinical psychologist in a supervisory capacity in a program involving the supervision of clinical and/or counseling psychologists.

    NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted as two (2) years of experience as a licensed psychologist at the level of a Supervising Psychologist 2 (Clinical).

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    • Incumbents in this class must possess and retain an unrestricted license to practice psychology in Connecticut.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
    • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel. 

    Conclusion

    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.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility. 




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