Psychologist (Clinical) (40 Hour) Office/On-site #260818-6629FL-001

Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), part of the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Clinical Psychologist. This position provides clinical services throughout the hospital, with primary duties on the Dutcher 1 South Unit, an all-male unit focused on community re-entry for patients currently in treatment.

About the Role

This is a hazardous duty position within a state facility, accountable for performing a full range of psychotherapy and professional psychological services, including diagnostic testing, behavior modification, program development and evaluation, community outreach, education, training, rehabilitation, and research.

Schedule

• First Shift, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location

70 O'Brien Dr, Middletown, CT

Responsibilities

• Provide treatment and psychological assessment for forensic psychiatric patients with serious mental illness, severe personality disorders, developmental disorders, legal involvement, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Serve as a key member of the multidisciplinary treatment team by planning, implementing, and monitoring individualized treatment plans.
• Deliver individual and group psychotherapy.
• Conduct and/or coordinate specialized psychological assessments as needed.
• Develop and implement behavioral interventions and other specialized psychological treatments.
• Educate staff on psychological conceptualization, interventions, and best practices.
• Collaborate with psychologists and staff across the hospital to support professional development and continuity of care.
• Provide testimony before the Psychiatric Security Review Board and in criminal or civil court proceedings.
• Participate actively in hospital-wide committees or specialized assessment/treatment services.
• Contribute to risk assessment processes to support safe and appropriate discharge planning and community reintegration.
• Help ensure consistent, safe, and cost-effective clinical coverage for the hospital’s forensic patient population.
• Participate in and coordinate clinical psychological services for complex wards or units.
• Provide consultation on difficult cases representing complex intellectual, emotional, and/or social problems.
• Develop and implement new service programs.
• Conduct research and report findings in a manner suitable for professional publication.
• Consult with community agencies and organizations.
• Conduct training sessions for interns and staff, and may participate in training of psychiatric residents.
• Address lay and professional groups.

Requirements

• A doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology.
• One (1) year of post-doctoral experience as a psychologist working under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.
• Must possess and retain a license to practice psychology in Connecticut (exemptions apply for those employed prior to July 1, 1985).
• Must possess and maintain eligibility for participation in federal health care programs.
• May be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language.
• May be required to travel.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of abnormal and clinical psychology.
• Skill in selection, administration, scoring, and evaluation of psychological tests (intelligence, achievement, personality, and diagnostic).
• Knowledge of psychological research methodology, including experimental design, data analysis, and application of findings.
• Considerable interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to make clinical diagnoses and prognoses, develop treatment plans, conduct psychotherapy, and write case histories, discharge summaries, and professional reports.
• Ability to coordinate clinical services with comprehensive and multidisciplinary treatment plans.

Benefits

• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance.
• State employee benefits (visit the State Employee Benefits Overview page for details).

Working Conditions

• May be required to lift and restrain individuals or inmates.
• May have some exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals or inmates.
• May be exposed to disagreeable conditions.

A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required upon a conditional offer of employment. All state employees must adhere to Connecticut's Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.