Psychology Services Chief

The 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) 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.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Psychology Services Chief. 

Under supervision of the hospital clinical director, the successful candidates will be responsible for:

·       Diagnoses or evaluates behavioral, emotional, and cognitive disorders through observation, interview, and psychological tests.

·       Applies theory relating to the 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.

·       May supervise, guide, and/or instruct the work assignment of subordinate staff.

·       Consults reference material such as textbooks, manuals, and journals to identify symptoms, to make diagnoses, and to develop approaches to treatment.

·       Counsel individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, and family situations, 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.

·       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.

·       Provides occupational, educational, and other information to individuals so that they can make educational and vocational plans.

·       May supervise and plan the work of assigned staff.

·       Designs, coordinates, and oversees internal projects.

·       Supervises and plans the work of assigned staff.

Benefits

·       Vacation - 15 days each year up to 5 years of service; 18 days each year from 5 - 10 years of service; 21 days each year from 10+ years of service

·       Sick Leave - accrual at a rate of 10 hours per month (15 days each year) 

• Holidays - Georgia recognizes 13 paid holidays
• Retirement - both a 401(K) plan with a matching employer contribution and a Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Available Insurance - Health; Dental; Vision; Legal; Disability; Life & dependent life
• Spending Accounts - Healthcare & Childcare accounts available

For more benefit information visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits 

We are a Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

This opportunity will close when we have an adequate candidate field and/or filled the position.   

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

B9876

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working with a population with severe / persistent mental illness
• 2 years of supervisory experience
• Providing group and individual therapy