Pain Psychologist - PsyD

Job Summary :

Provides variety of ambulatory behavioral health services including evaluation. diagnosis. treatment planning. case management and psychotherapeutic intervention to individuals, families, groups and / or Intensive Outpatient Programs.

Provides services to adults of all ages, adolescents and children.

Essential Responsibilities :

Interviews member and evaluates their psychological and mental status. Utilizes DSM IV to diagnose patients. Determines if member is in crisis, at-risk, or suicidal / homicidal.

Refers members in need of immediate or urgent care to appropriate level of services, within time frame established by policy.

Collaborates with Call Center or referring practitioner / provider when appropriate.

Provides psychotherapy and counseling for individuals, families, groups and / or Intensive Outpatient Programs. Utilizes a wide range of intervention modalities, which support positive mental health and enhanced individual or family functioning.

Provides services such as crisis intervention, brief therapy, cognitive and behavioral therapies, skills training, supportive therapy, stress management, family therapy.

Assesses urgent or high-risk clinical situations and makes appropriate interventions. Coordinates referral of patient to psychiatrist or other clinician in timely fashion.

Assists with admission to hospital or other specialized facility when needed. Plans and provides appropriate follow-up and intensity of services based on clients needs.

Assesses needs for psychological testing, chemical dependency treatment or other specific services and makes appropriate referrals.

Evaluates needs and appropriateness for psychopharmacological therapy. Refers patients to physician or clinical nurse specialist for medication evaluation per department guidelines.

Maintains basic knowledge of medications, indications and side effects for commonly used psychotherapeutic agents.

• Plans, develops, implements, and leads therapeutic and educational group programs to address needs of patient. Evaluates outcomes and effects of treatment for individual patients and programs.
• Researches, collects and records data and information relating to identification and treatment of behavioral and interpersonal problems of patient.

Formulates alternatives for interventions and approaches for resolution of these problems. Assists to establish clinical best practices and guidelines for delivery of service to population of clients served.

Assists and empowers clients to participate in their treatment plan. Engages client in therapeutic relationship. Educates client regarding mental health services and their benefits.

Assists members to use services appropriately. Makes appropriate recommendations and referrals for patients to obtain information, support, services and assistance they may need from Kaiser or community resources.

• Follow established guidelines and laws for assuring client safety and confidentiality. Explains same to clients.
• Collaborates and consults with physicians and other interdisciplinary clinical team members to support assessments and decision making.

Reviews difficult cases or quality assurance concern with clinical team. Acts as consultant to team members and others in organization.

Utilizes skills with expertise of team members in management of patients.

• Collaborates and communicates with primary care staff and others in organization involved with care of patient. Acts as liaison between mental health services and primary care, emergency department and other outpatient clinics.
• Maintains high level of clinical expertise. Remains knowledgeable of current clinical conditions, methods, medications, theoretical frameworks and interventions.

Utilizes best practices in delivery of behavioral health services in accordance with professional and clinical guidelines established by professional bodies or mental health services department.

Understands rationale and theory for interventions. Utilizes intervention modalities with sound theoretical base, which are clinically feasible and have demonstrated clinical effectiveness.

Documents clinical assessments, treatment plans, interventions and other important information in patient medical record according to Regional and departmental guidelines.

Maintains confidentiality of all patient information and records in accordance with state and federal regulations and Regional guidelines.

• Provides and arranges for all psychological testing. Tests patients according to current applicable Kaiser Health Plan benefits for intellectual functioning, personality and dynamics, existence and severity of psychiatric disorders, diagnosis, prognosis, baseline functioning and loss of brain function following injury.
• Develops and conducts specialized treatment programs and services related to chronic pain management.
• Provides diagnosis, triage and treatment of patients in a multidisciplinary chronic pain management program and also provides consultation and training to other members of the Chronic Pain Management team.

The Kaiser Hawaii Pain Medicine group consists of physicians, nurse practitioners, a Nurse Case Manager and medical assistants who practice Pain Management recognizing the importance of using a biopsychosocial approach, and who are all committed to the highest standards of care.

• Participates in clinical team meetings, departmental planning and quality management activities.
• Supervises and mentors residents and intern students as assigned.

Qualifications :

Basic Qualifications :

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year experience in chronic pain management or fellowship training in pain management.
• Experience in conducting group therapy, intensive outpatient treatment, and / or partial hospitalization programs.
• Experience in writing treatment plans.

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology from an American Psychological Association (APA) approved program in clinical psychology or from an accredited institution with the graduate level training leading to the doctoral degree meeting the requirements of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 16-98-9.

License, Certification, Registration

• Psychologist License (Hawaii)
• Basic Life Support from American Heart Association
• National Provider Identifier required at hire

Additional Requirements :

• Knowledge and experience in conducting assessments and using the DSM IV.
• Knowledge and experience with frequently used psychiatric medications.
• Familiarity with statistical / analytical methods of instruments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in adaptability, change management, conflict resolution, decision making, group process facilitation, influence, interpersonal relations, oral communication, problem solving, quality management, teamwork, and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Minimum two (2) years of experience in chronic pain management.
• Experience with inpatient settings.
• Experience with primary care.
• Experience with people who are chemically dependent.
• Experience in consultation / liaison.
• Training in Pain Management.

Employee Status : Regular

Regular

Travel :

Yes, 15 % of the Time

Job Level :

Individual Contributor

Job Type : Standard

Standard