Psychologist II - Adolescent Services

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH); Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH), part of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), seeks a full-time Psychologist II for inpatient adolescent services. You will perform admissions, risk assessments, and diagnostic evaluations, including psychological testing, while delivering individual, group, and family therapy under Psychologist IV supervision.

Independent practice is emphasized, with emphasis on patient engagement, accurate documentation, crisis intervention, and

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Psychology and MA licensure as Psychologist in Massachusetts.
• Experience applying risk assessment and diagnostic evaluation methodology.
• Expertise in psychotherapy and evidence-based practices.

Responsibilities

• Practice individual and group psychotherapy.
• Facilitate community meetings.
• Develop treatment planning within a treatment team.
• Conduct specialized risk assessments for suicide, violence, and substance use.
• Support DMH Inpatient Clinical Risk policy compliance.
• Track forensic statuses and coordinate assessments for discharge planning.
• Complete crisis and acute risk consultation and psychological testing.
• Conduct PBS evaluations and consult with teams.
• Supervise interns and/or staff, including trainees.

Skills

Risk assessment

Psychotherapy

Interviews & testing

Clinical documentation

Team collaboration

Crisis intervention

Supervision

Behavior analysis

Effective communication

Education

Doctorate in Psychology

MA licensure as Psychologist

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH), operated by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), is seeking a full-time dedicated Psychologist II to play a crucial role in providing comprehensive mental health services to the inpatient adolescent service. This position involves performing admission assessments, specialized clinical risk assessments, and diagnostic evaluations, including psychological testing. Collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues is essential, as you will offer consultation and deliver both individual, group, and family therapy. Working under the guidance of Psychologist IVs, your contributions will be integral to the effective delivery of psychology services.

As a Psychologist II, you will practice independently, maintaining the highest professional standards and meeting all requirements of the WRCH Professional Staff Organization. This role not only demands clinical expertise but also emphasizes the importance of patient engagement, thorough documentation, and ongoing professional development. Your work will significantly impact patient care, from crisis intervention and relapse prevention to behavior analysis and therapeutic support, ensuring a holistic approach to mental health treatment and recovery. WRCH is a newly constructed, state‑of‑the‑art psychiatric hospital, on well‑ manicured grounds, in the biotech park area of Worcester, adjacent to the UMass medical school and hospital.

Please Note: This is a fully on-site role. The schedule is Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Practice individual and group psychotherapy.
• Facilitate community meetings.
• Develop treatment planning within a treatment team.
• Conduct specialized risk assessments for suicide, fire setting, violence, substance abuse, and referrals to the Independent Forensic Risk Assessment (IFRA) and Mentally Ill/Problematic Sexual Behavior (MI/PSB) evaluation teams.
• Assist treatment teams with understanding and following DMH’s Inpatient Clinical Risk (ICR) policy.
• Track patients’ forensic statuses and supporting treatment teams in coordinating all needed assessments to support their transition through increased privilege levels leading to hospital discharge.
• Complete crisis and acute risk consultation and psychological testing.
• Conduct Positive Behavior Support (PBS) patient evaluation and consultation with teams.
• Supervise upper-level psychology students (interns and/or post-docs) and/or staff.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to apply knowledge of the symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders (including risk assessment).
• Ability to apply knowledge of assessment techniques including interview, psychological testing and neuropsychological screening/testing.
• Ability to analyze historical, observational, interview and psychological test data to draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to apply knowledge of the theory, principles and practices of psychotherapy (and related evidence-based practices).
• Ability to apply knowledge of motivation, basic behavioral analysis and principles associated with reinforcement techniques.
• Ability to apply knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
• Ability to apply knowledge of statistical methods and techniques including sampling.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and handle confidential matters appropriately.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and oral expression and provide consultation, training, supervision.
• Ability to make decisions, act quickly and maintain calm in crisis situations with people who are under emotional and/or physical stress.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others and work in group situations.
• Ability to supervise un-licensed staff and trainees by providing orientation, practical training, professional education, direction, workload management, performance evaluation and (as needed) disciplinary action.
• Ability to apply/explain the impact of laws, rules, regulation, policies, protocols, guidelines, etc. on clinical practice obligations.
• Knowledge of the ethical principles, and standards of practice of the Professional Psychologist.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in diagnosing and assessing symptoms of mental and emotional disorders, including conducting risk assessments.
• Skilled in utilizing various assessment techniques, such as interviews, psychological testing, and neuropsychological screening/testing.
• Capable of analyzing historical, observational, interview, and test data to draw conclusions and make informed recommendations.
• Knowledgeable in the theory, principles, and practices of psychotherapy, including evidence-based practices.
• Experienced in applying motivation principles, behavioral analysis, and reinforcement techniques.
• Adept at general report writing and maintaining accurate, confidential records.
• Familiar with statistical methods and techniques, including sampling.
• Effective in communicating, providing consultation, training, and supervision.
• Able to make quick, calm decisions in crisis situations involving emotionally or physically stressed individuals.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively in group settings and supervise unlicensed staff and trainees.
• Proficiency with MS Office including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

About Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH):

Located on over 20 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts, Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) is part of an integrated network of effective, efficient, and culturally competent mental health services. It provides intermediate and long‑term inpatient care for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness who live in Massachusetts, as well as individuals requiring specialized court ordered evaluations.

WRCH provides inpatient services to 290 adults and 30 adolescents, inclusive of a Deaf Inpatient Mental Health Service program for 10 patients.

Learn more about WRCH: Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) | Mass.gov

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines,

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Employment & Staffing at 1 [phone], Option 4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have a Doctorate in Psychology from a school accredited by the American Psychological Association. See Special Requirements, below

Special Requirements:

Current and valid registration as a Psychologist by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Psychology.

Based on assignment, travel may be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's license or the equivalent from another state.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Aff…

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.