Psychologist IV - Leader of Behavioral Health Services

This essential role involves not only supervising therapeutic interventions and assessments, but also playing a key part in staff development, interdisciplinary planning, and interdepartmental collaboration. You will influence program design, train emerging professionals, and contribute to system-wide initiatives that support emotional and psychological wellness. Ideal for someone who thrives in a clinical leadership role and is passionate about shaping behavioral health care for young people, this position offers both impactful work and meaningful professional growth.

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

• Provide clinical and administrative oversight of Behavioral Health Services, ensuring high-quality care across all pediatric and adolescent inpatient programs.
• Supervise and evaluate behavioral health staff, including psychologists, interns, and trainees, in their delivery of individual, group, and psychological assessment services
• Deliver direct psychological services, including individual therapy, competency evaluations, and risk assessments, as part of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Lead crisis intervention efforts for patients exhibiting suicidal ideation, self-injurious behavior, or risk of harm to others, including coordination with medical staff and emergency response.
• Conduct and interpret a variety of psychological assessments, including cognitive, emotional, and developmental evaluations using standardized instruments.
• Develop and implement treatment plans, designate clinical diagnoses, and oversee utilization review in accordance with legal and clinical standards.
• Provide consultation and training to clinical and direct-care staff on behavioral interventions, treatment strategies, and psychological best practices.
• Coordinate and supervise the delivery of psychotherapy and psychological testing within the department, ensuring compliance with clinical standards and patient needs.
• Represent the Department of Behavioral Health in interdepartmental and hospital-wide meetings, committees, and workgroups.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of psychologists and other clinical staff, participating in interviews and candidate evaluations.
• Prepare and maintain accurate clinical documentation, administrative records, and programmatic reports to support care delivery and compliance.
• Serve as liaison with external agencies, practitioners, and service providers to ensure continuity of care and comprehensive support for patients and families.

Required Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of psychotherapy and counseling across a range of therapeutic modalities, including analytic, existential, nondirective, and behavior modification techniques.
• Strong understanding of developmental psychology and its application to pediatric and adolescent behavioral health care.
• Proficient in conducting and interpreting psychological assessments to measure intelligence, aptitude, personality, and related cognitive and emotional traits.
• Familiarity with standardized psychological instruments, including the WAIS, WISC, Rorschach, and Thematic Apperception Test.
• In-depth knowledge of the types, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for various mental and emotional disorders.
• Skilled in applying motivation and reinforcement strategies to support behavioral change and treatment adherence.
• Competent in clinical interviewing techniques for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
• Knowledgeable in test construction, measurement theory, and statistical methods used in psychological research and assessment.
• Experienced in preparing clinical reports, evaluations, and documentation that meet legal, ethical, and professional standards.
• Ability to integrate psychological theory with practical application in both individual and group therapeutic settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in providing psychotherapy services to pediatric and adolescent populations, preferably in an inpatient or rehabilitation setting.
• Advanced training in a specific area of pediatric behavioral health, such as trauma-focused therapy, autism spectrum disorders for neuropsychology.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic modalities and interventions relevant to pediatric and adolescent mental health, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, family systems therapy and play therapy.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.

DPH Mission and Vision:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

Learn more and share a one-pager on DPH and what we do: DPH at a Glance PDF | Doc

Pre-Hire Process:

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 and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

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.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this position please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 ext. #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have a Doctorate in Psychology from school accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Applicants must also have at least three years of years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience as a Licensed Psychologist in the application of psychological principles and techniques in a recognized agency providing psychological services or treatment, of which (B) at least one year must have included supervision over Post-doctoral Psychologists-in-training and/or Psychological Assistants.

Special Requirements:

Current and valid registration as a Psychologist by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Psychology.

Based on assignment, must meet the eligibility requirements for Designated Forensic Psychologist in 104 CMR 33.04(3)(b).

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.

Comprehensive Benefits

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 / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.