Psychologist I - MEDC

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 103,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee Assistance Program

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Vacation Leave

Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Retirement Plans

Discount Programs

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking licensed or licensed-eligible psychologists to perform court-ordered evaluations and related clinical services for youth in secure facilities and the community division. You will complete psychosocial evaluations within deadlines, score tests, and maintain thorough documentation.

Responsibilities include coordinating with nurses, psychiatrists, teachers, and other staff, providing on-call crisis coverage, and participating in interagency

Qualifications

• PhD in applied psychology from an accredited program.
• Ability to select/administer/interpret psychological tests and measures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with youth, families, staff and agencies.
• On-call duties rotate with clinical staff.
• Capable of working in a secure facility with incarcerated youth.
• Must be mobile and able to lift 25 lbs.
• Flexible hours and training provided.

Responsibilities

• Complete court-ordered evaluations of assigned youth.
• Prepare psychosocial evaluations within established deadlines.
• Score and interpret tests; ensure reports are well-written and accurate.
• Document all direct contact with youth in Medicat/JJMS.
• Coordinate with DJJ staff and outside agencies about youth needs.
• Request records as needed and communicate status to supervisors.
• Make referrals and coordinate psychiatry referrals and interagency staffings.
• Attend trainings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Forensic psychology knowledge

Court-ordered evaluations

Test administration & interpretation

Written and oral communication

Interagency coordination

On-call duties

Mobility and lifting 25 lbs

Education

Doctorate in applied psychology

Job description

Job Types and Compensation

• PSYCHOLOGISTS LICENSED ($111,959)
• LICENSED ELIGIBLE ($102,583)
• POST-DOCTORAL RESIDENT ($102,583)

Sign-On Bonus

THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A $10,000 SIGN-ON BONUS*

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). We are recruiting Licensed and Licensed-eligible psychologists for our secure facilities and community division. If you are interested in a career in a forensic setting that specializes in evaluations of juvenile justice-involved youth undergoing court-ordered evaluations, as well as delivers evidence-based, informed, youth-centered therapeutic engagement, treatment, and rehabilitation, our secure facilities may be an ideal fit for new career psychologists.

If you have completed pre- or post-doctoral training and are interested in a youth population or making a career or geographical shift to beautiful South Carolina, consider South Carolina DJJ. We are a dynamic agency with a robust psychology staff with varied backgrounds/experience who offer a high-quality work environment and commitment to best practices in our field.

Mission

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Job Purpose

Under general supervision, individual will be expected to complete court-ordered evaluations of assigned youth, as well as provide some clinical and case management services. Evaluations are expected to be completed according to established deadlines.

Job Responsibilities

• Completes comprehensive psychosocial evaluations on assigned youth and submits them in a timely manner that is consistent with established deadlines.
• Assigned comprehensive psychosocial evaluations are completed within 30 days of assignment and submitted to the supervisor for review.
• Testing is scored and interpreted accurately, and the report is well-written, edited, and reviewed for accuracy prior to submission for review.
• All direct contact with youth is documented in Medicat and JJMS.
• Consults and coordinates with, and makes referrals to other DJJ staff (e.g., nurses, psychiatrists, special needs coordinators, teachers, security officers, intensive supervision officers, clinicians, etc.) and other relevant outside agencies about youths’ needs.
• Request records relevant to evaluations from DJJ staff and other outside agencies
• Communicate with the DJJ Community Office regarding status of the report and obtain updated information regarding the youth (e.g. court updates, referrals, etc.).
• Court ordered referrals are made, and records requested within two business days of receiving the court order. If referral requests are not acknowledged within three business days, the evaluator will follow up via phone or email and document the follow-up.
• Provides on-call, after-hours crisis intervention coverage and services on a rotating basis with other clinicians.
• Provides crisis intervention on an as-needed basis to youth during regular working hours.
• Answers all incoming calls while performing on-call duties, responds according to policy and/or supervisor directive, and completes all relevant paperwork/documentation within expected timeframes as noted per policy.
• Coordinates psychiatry referrals and interagency staffing as needed or required by court order.
• Ensures psychiatry evaluations are sent to the county and attends interagency staffings.
• Attends trainings as needed or required to improve and enhance skills and knowledge base. All mandatory trainings are completed within expected time frames.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned (e.g., isolation checks, PREA monitoring, etc.)

Minimum And Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A doctorate in applied psychology from an accredited college or university and experience in the practice of applied psychology.

• Thorough knowledge of current psychological theory, practice, assessment and evaluation techniques with children/adolescents/families, as well as some knowledge of forensic psychological issues and practice.
• Ability to select/administer/interpret psychological tests and measures and effectively communicate findings.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and be able to present clear and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Must be able to work and communicate effectively with youth, families, staff and other entities.
• On-call duties are required on a rotating basis with other clinical staff.
• Must be able to work in a secure facility setting and environment with incarcerated youth.
• Must be mobile and able to lift 25 lbs.
• Able to work varied hours.
• This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: A doctoral degree in applied psychology from an APA-approved program in psychology and experience in the practice of applied Psychology. Currently Licensed to practice psychology in SC or licensed eligible with ability to obtain licensure within two (2) years of hire. (Note: lack of licensure within the expected timeframe may impact employee status.)

Additional Comments

the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing will be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment.

A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.

Sign-On Bonus: Agencies may give sign-on bonuses to individuals recruited to critical needs jobs at the beginning of their employment with the agency. Bonuses cannot be offered or given to employees moving from other agencies by transfer, promotion or demotion. Sign-on bonuses are limited to one per employee, per year.