PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATE

Job Summary :

We seek a highly qualified and experienced individual to join our team as a Psychology Associate. This position will help ensure healthcare service compliance of the Contracted Healthcare Provider (CHP), who provides comprehensive healthcare services to inmates, including mental health history review, assessment, evaluation, and treatment per established clinical practice guidelines and protocols.

This role will be a primary stakeholder in supporting the development of the Patient Care Center Model (PCCM) and monitoring the patient care activities.

The Psychology Associate will ensure the quality delivery of services and continuity of care aimed at improving mental health outcomes for incarcerated individuals within the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR).

This role will support the CHP in meeting contract compliance with the healthcare contract and other regulatory guidelines.

The Psychology Associate will conduct chart reviews, provide training, and participate in continuous quality improvement initiatives.

This role will monitor and analyze healthcare data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement in contractor performance and patient outcomes.

Job Duties :

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry has embarked on a vision of REIMAGINING CORRECTIONS through four overarching and mission-centered goals :

• Build a Meaningful Organizational Culture and Promote the Development of Team
• Create and Implement Optimal Population Management and Progression Strategies
• Deploy Quality Delivery of Services and Continuity of Care in Complexes and Communities
• Achieve Modernization and Sustainability of Practices and Resources

Your primary responsibilities will include :

• Crisis intervention and support for inmates experiencing acute mental health crises, including suicide risk assessments and safety planning.
• Providing guidance and support to correctional facility staff on contractor-related matters, including contract interpretation, performance evaluation, and dispute resolution.
• Monitoring and analyzing healthcare data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement in contractor performance and patient outcomes.
• Conduct outreach and education efforts to promote mental health awareness among inmates.
• Conducting patient chart audits to review the documentation of mental health care provided (e.g., accurate and up-to-date documentation of clinical assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other relevant records) per departmental policies and procedures.
• Collaborating with community mental health providers and other internal and external stakeholders to coordinate continuity of care for inmates transitioning from correctional facilities to community settings.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs) :

Knowledge of :

ADOA Personnel Rules and ADCRR policies and procedures. Psychology and related disciplines; and psychological tests, measurements, and treatment techniques and practices.

Skill in :

• Verbal and written communications; conducting research, compiling, evaluating, and analyzing information.
• Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships; time management; and organizational skills.
• Decision-making and problem-solving techniques; synthesizing and presenting information to support project and agency objectives;

work management and leadership.

Interviewing

Ability to :

• Interpret diagnostic interviews and test data.
• Conduct individual and group psychotherapy.
• Analyze behavioral deficits.
• Develop plans for implementing and monitoring rehabilitation activities in skill acquisition and behavior management.
• Communicate effectively, and provide guidance to others.
• Establish rapport with diverse populations, including individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Work in a fast-paced environment with ever-changing priorities.
• Travel to different facilities and complexes, as needed.

Selective Preference(s) :

Master's degree in social work, counseling, or psychology and a valid unrestricted license as a licensed professional counselor or a licensed clinical social worker.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience providing mental health services to incarcerated populations.

Pre-Employment Requirements :

Valid, unrestricted license as a licensed professional counselor or clinical social worker.

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply.

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks.

The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training.

An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) ).

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits :

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees :

• Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster / adopted child (pilot program).
• Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
• Exceptional retirement program
• Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
• An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our

Retirement :

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Current ADCRR Employees : Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.