Lead Psychologist (Glendale Adult Services)

We are offering a $5,000 sign-on bonus for new staff hired into this role full-time. Depending on the program, this position is partially remote and you have the option to elect into a 9/80 flex work schedule. Part-time applicants encouraged to apply. Please indicate your availability in the application questions. The pay range for this role is between $99,900 - $110,950 annually.

About Didi Hirsch

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to nearly 200,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable.

As an organization, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch's work possible. We intentionally recruit and retain a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve and strive to cultivate a sense of belonging for them. We embrace employees and candidates from all backgrounds who want to help make this vision a reality.

Summary:

• Comprehensive psychological assessment of clients with a history of mental illness for the purpose of diagnosis and assistance with treatment planning. Minimum of at least 50% of this position's duties are dedicated to conducting and/or supervising assessments, while the rest will focus on providing direct therapy services and consultation.
• Crisis intervention, intake assessment, and individual, group and family therapy to children with a history of mental illness.
• Professional consultation to staff relative to psychological assessment and diagnosis.

Primary Duties

• May supervise psychology interns, practicum students, and possible staff on psychological testing as well as therapy
• May assist in APA internship program though prospective intern interviews and application reviews
• Provides professional consultation to multidisciplinary staff regarding complex differential diagnostic conditions, psychological and/or neuropsychological test results, cognitive and learning delays, and outcome measures
• Provides training to clinical staff (as needed) on the administration and interpretation of clinical symptom assessment instruments such as depression and anxiety inventories, rating scales for ADHD symptoms and mental status examinations.
• Achieves proficiency in 2 or more evidenced-based practices, and applies these in therapy with seriously mentally ill clients
• Interfaces and collaborates with referring clinicians regarding the referral process and rationale for psychological assessment
• Consults with staff regarding psychological assessments completed by outside institutions or individuals.
• Administers psychological tests including structured clinical interviews; tests of intelligence, achievement and learning abilities; language and developmental evaluations; personality inventories, projective tests; cognitive screens; and specific tests of cognitive and neuropsychological function including memory and executive functions.
• Focuses assessments explicitly on referral questions, utilizing instruments appropriate for the client.
• Administers, scores, and interprets tests and interviews that are current and whose validity and reliability have been established for use with members of the population to which the client belongs (including language competence).
• Identifies interpretive strengths and limitations, considering various test factors, test-taking abilities and characteristics of client such as situational, personal, linguistic, and cultural differences that could affect the assessment's accuracy.
• Prepares written assessment reports at the level of the report consumer, individualized to the unique attributes of the client including his/her strengths; makes concrete, pragmatic recommendations that address treatment planning and the referral question
• Provides feedback on referral questions to the referring clinician and client and/or family, tailored to their level of understanding
• Makes recommendations for the purchase of assessment instruments, keeping up to date on instrument revisions.
• Maintains the security of assessment manuals, instruments, protocols and test questions.
• Documents client services, ensuring compliance with Agency policies and procedures, Department of Mental Health contract and other related agencies' standards and guidelines.
• Participates in officer-of-the-day duty coverage and twenty-four hour on call coverage (if applicable).
• Develops and maintains professional assessment skills through seminars, workshops, or other forms of training/education related to working with children with a history of mental illness.
• Attends and participates in program, Agency staff meetings; and related community agency meetings as required/requested.

Requirements

• Must be a CA licensed psychologist.
• Must have a strong working knowledge/experience in psychological assessment, including test selection, administration, interpretation and report-writing.
• A working knowledge of psychological assessment in mental health including understanding of diagnostic concepts and assessment correlates of particular psychopathologies including psychiatric syndromes, personality disorders, and cognitive dysfunctions as well as those of malingering.
• Minimum of 2+ years of experience working with children with a history of mental illness in a social service/mental health environment
• Willing to travel between agency sites to provide services, and work in a variety of settings, including outpatient, home-based and field (or school)- based
• Experience as a clinical supervisor preferred
• Must possess knowledge of research and statistics
• Working knowledge of Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA, DMH, Department of Social Services, and other state/federal regulations relating to mental health services.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills
• Personal computer skills including word processing, electronic health record, spreadsheets, and other related software.
• Ability to use analysis, experience, and judgment to make effective decisions.
• Commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch philosophies.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs by acquiring new skills and knowledge.
• Current California driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier.
• Some evening work may be required
• Know and comply with Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA, Department of Mental Health, policies and documentation guidelines, and other state/federal regulations relating to service programs for children with a history of mental illness.