Psychologist III

Massachusetts Department of Public Health; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston (DPH) seeks a Staff Clinical Psychologist III to deliver comprehensive behavioral health services to med-surg inpatients. The role includes crisis management, suicide risk assessment, and bereavement support for patients in palliative care.

The position emphasizes collaboration with Addiction Medicine and other specialists, supervision of psychology trainees, and participation in hospital trainings and rounds. Strong clinical and reporting skills are required.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Psychology from APA-accredited program.
• Current Massachusetts psychology license.
• Experience in inpatient or medical settings preferred.
• Ability to perform clinical assessments and treatment planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care in med-surg inpatient units and crisis services.
• Conduct suicide/self-injury risk assessments and safety planning.
• Develop and implement behavioral health plans and interventions.
• Offer support to patients and families, including bereavement care.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and supervise trainees.
• Document services in electronic medical records per standards.
• Participate in rounds, trainings, and weekend coverage as needed.

Skills

Psychotherapy

Suicide risk assessment

Crisis intervention

Psychological testing

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Doctorate in Psychology

Tools

WAIS

WISC

Rorschach

TAT

Job description

The Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (LSH), operated by the Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a Staff Clinical Psychologist III to provide essential behavioral health services to our med‑surg inpatient units. In this role, the clinician delivers a full spectrum of direct patient care, including crisis management, suicide risk assessment, behavior management interventions, substance abuse treatment, supportive therapy, and bereavement services for patients receiving palliative care.

Please Note Scheduled Hours:

40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between 8 A.M. and 6 P.M

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

• Provides comprehensive psychological services including evaluation, treatment, and routine/urgent consultation for medical and surgical inpatients and outpatients.
• Conducts suicide and self‑injury risk assessments and determines the need for safety or precautionary measures.
• Delivers crisis intervention and develops behavior‑management plans for patients experiencing acute stress or behavioral disturbances.
• Offers psychological support to terminally ill patients and their families and participates in behavioral health rounds with multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborates with Addiction Medicine Specialists to assess substance‑use treatment needs and contribute to individualized care plans.
• Documents all clinical services in the electronic medical record in compliance with hospital, CMS, and Joint Commission standards.
• Provides supervision to psychology trainees, participates in hospital committees, contributes to the Psychology Training Program, and presents at hospital‑wide trainings such as Grand Rounds.
• Assists with implementing new or revised clinical programs and provides required weekend and holiday coverage, along with other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong foundation in psychological theory, psychotherapy principles, and a wide range of therapeutic modalities (e.g., analytic, existential, nondirective, behavior‑modification approaches).
• Expertise in psychological testing, including administration, scoring, and interpretation of intelligence, aptitude, and personality assessments (e.g., WAIS, WISC, Rorschach, TAT).
• Knowledge of developmental psychology, psychopathology, counseling practices, interviewing techniques, motivation and reinforcement strategies, and psychological research methods.
• Ability to recognize symptoms of mental and emotional disorders, analyze clinical data, draw conclusions, and make sound treatment recommendations.
• Proficiency in statistical methods, sampling techniques, and preparing clear, accurate clinical and statistical reports.
• Skilled in delivering effective presentations, providing clear instructions, gathering information through observation and interviewing, and maintaining accurate, confidential records.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in group settings, respond calmly and decisively in stressful or emergency situations, and build positive, professional relationships with patients and staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understands the range of public and private community‑based organizations and resources available for the treatment or rehabilitation of individuals with emotional disturbances, intellectual disabilities, or other developmental disabilities.
• Applies relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines that govern the operations and activities of the assigned unit.
• Demonstrates knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, and techniques to effectively guide, support, and oversee the work of others.

About the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital:

Lemuel Shattuck Hospital is a fully Joint Commission accredited teaching facility that provides acute, subacute, and ambulatory care to patients referred by public agencies and private sector providers. Shattuck Hospital’s services help economically and socially disadvantaged patients to get high quality, cost‑effective care from a staff that respects their dignity.

Located in the heart of Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, the Shattuck Hospital includes 248 inpatient beds including 95 Psychiatric beds and 29 Correctional Health beds. In addition, the Shattuck has a full outpatient clinic with many specialties that offers treatment to patients of the Department of Mental Health as well as Department of Correction and House of Correction inmates and community patients.

The Shattuck hospital is on the forefront of substance use disorder treatment including a Suboxone clinic serving 200 patients. In addition to direct medical services LSH hosts and supports an array of services located on the campus, serving patients struggling with addictions and homelessness.

Learn more about:

what it’s like to work as a DPH nurse

Learn more about Shattuck Hospital:

https://www.mass.gov/locations/lemuel-shattuck-hospital

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, http://www.mass.gov

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 Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

Qualifications

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 / Affiant

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.