Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and hospital services.

Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah (GRHS), where this position is located, is a state-funded multi-service facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The hospital provides quality care to mentally ill adults and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities from its 34-county catchment area in Southeast Georgia. GRHS opened in December of 1970 with a design to decentralize mental health services in the state and treat people nearer to their homes and families. The hospital provides evaluation and treatment to clients needing care. The hospital's admitting office is a psychiatric emergency receiving facility open 24 hours a day.

GRHS is located at 1915 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406

Job Title:  Recovery Care Psychologist – (GRHS) Savannah

Pay Grade:  N

Job Description, Responsibilities, Standards, and Qualifications

Recovery Care Psychologist – Savannah

Under broad supervision, diagnoses or evaluates behavioral, emotional and cognitive disorders through observation, interview and psychological tests.  Applies theory relating to behavior and mental processes to formulate and administer programs of treatment that may include counseling, therapy and research.  Helps clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of physical, intellectual, emotional social and interpersonal functioning.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Consults reference material such as textbooks, manuals, and journals in order to identify symptoms, to make diagnoses, and to develop approaches to treatment.
• Counsels individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, and family situations, in order to modify behavior and/or to improve personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
• Develops and implements individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
• Discusses the treatment of problems with clients.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of counseling or treatments, and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, then modify plans and diagnoses as necessary.
• Identifies psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues, and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, and reference materials.
• Interacts with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational and vocational development and adjustment.
• May supervise and plan workload of staff.
• Observes individuals at play, in group interactions, or in other contexts to detect indications of mental deficiency, abnormal behavior, or maladjustment.
• Obtains and studies medical, psychological, social, and family histories, by interviewing individuals, couples, or families, and by reviewing records.
• Provided occupational, educational, and other information to individuals so that they can make educational and vocational plans.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Doctorate degree in clinical or counseling psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited college or university AND current Georgia license to practice psychology AND Two years of experience at the lower-level Psychologist 2 (HCP141) or equivalent. Note: License may be temporary, provisional, or permanent.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to Entry Qualifications, Preferred Qualifications may be added by the agency.

Experience treating severe and persistent mental illness.  

Familiarity with state system of serving developmental disability population and/or experience with publicly funded developmental disability services.

Demonstration of excellent customer service skills.

Exhibit superior verbal and writing skills.

Experience with MS office Suite.

Benefits 
In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits 

Employment Requirements 
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia. 

The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care: 

-    Drug Screening
-    TB Evaluation
-    Annual Influenza*

*Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.

DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer 
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other  characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. 

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. 

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. 

When applying for this position, you will be asked if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position as stated below and may possibly be presented with additional questions to assess preferred qualifications. Preference will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the preferred qualifications and have demonstrated relevant experience clearly indicated in their work history. 

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. 

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