Psychology Supervisor (Psychologist V)

Taunton State Hospital, operated by the Department of Mental Health, is seeking a qualified and dynamic individual to join our team as a Psychologist V. In this full-time role, you will function as the Psychology Supervisor, including the clinical and administrative oversight of the Psychology department and facilitates the integration with other clinical services. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supervising and guiding a diverse team, including psychology and other clinical leaders, ensuring that comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment is integrated across all clinical services. Your responsibilities will include facilitating the growth and development of staff through training, evaluations, and active participation in the hiring process.  The selected candidate will carry a caseload and provide psychotherapy and psychological testing.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the treatment and care of adults with major mental illnesses in an innovative, recovery-focused setting. As a key player in the facility, you will provide psychotherapy, psychological testing, and forensic evaluations while ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. This role allows you to collaborate with other clinical leaders, such as the Medical Director and Nursing Executive, to address challenging cases and provide high-quality care to our patients. If you are a licensed psychologist with a passion for leadership, clinical excellence, and making a difference in the lives of others, this position offers both a rewarding career and a collaborative work environment.

Please Note:  This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week on the first shift. The hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The days off will be Sunday and Saturday.

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

• Provide clinical supervision to the Psychology staff.
• Evaluate the performance of the psychology department staff through oral and written evaluations periodically, on a regular basis and on an as needed basis.
• Participate in the recruiting, screening and hiring of clinical staff and ensure that they meet professional standards.
• Participates in establishing and administering orientation and in-service training programs for both professional and non-professional personnel.
• Provide clinical supervision and administrative oversight of Positive Behavior Support plans.
• Provide clinical supervision of the psychological testing program.
• Ensure compliance with all DMH, CMS, & Joint Commission standards.
• Serve as a member and chairs hospital committees.
• Participate in the development, review, and revision of policies, procedures, and objectives relating to psychology services within the hospital.
• Review existing clinical resources and ensure maximum efficiency of staffing for the provision of services.
• In conjunction with the Medical Director and Nursing Executive, provide consultation to treatment teams regarding interdisciplinary treatment issues and challenging clinical cases.
• Participate in the integration with the disciplines of psychology with the nursing and psychiatry/medical department to ensure comprehensive, multi-disciplinary treatment and participation.
• Provide clinical supervision regarding active treatment in the facility across all disciplines: including individual therapy, on-unit groups, and off unit groups. Provides clinical supervision regarding the group schedule, tracks group attendance, and adjusts the schedule as needed based upon an assessment of the clinical needs of the patient population.
• Provide administrative oversight to the MI/PSB (Mentally Ill/Problem Sexual Behavior) program.
• Provide counseling, psychotherapy and group therapy to patients and families as appropriate.
• Provides clinical reviews and risk management evaluations as appropriate. Assesses patients for risk of suicide, violently acting against others, sexually acting out, engaging in other maladaptive behaviors as appropriate.
• Provide psychological testing, forensic evaluations, and report writing as appropriate.
• Work closely with the Director of Forensic Services to ensure the integrity and distinctions of forensic evaluations and mental health treatment.
• Provide clinical supervision for the training program for pre-doctoral and doctoral psychology students. Liaison with universities to facilitate training opportunities as appropriate.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide and ensure appropriate care to the age-related and cultural needs of the clients/patients served.
• Complete all mandatory classes offered by Staff Development as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of psychotherapy.

• Knowledge of therapeutic techniques used in psychotherapy such as analytic, existential, nondirective, behavior modification, etc.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of tests and measurements used in ascertaining intelligence, aptitudes, personality, and related mental and physical traits.

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices, and techniques of developmental psychology.

• Knowledge of the types and symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders.

• Knowledge of psychological research principles, methods, and techniques.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of counseling.

• Knowledge of motivation and reinforcement techniques.

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.

• Knowledge of statistical methods and techniques including sampling.

• Knowledge of the methods used in general report writing.

• Knowledge of intelligence, aptitude, and personality tests such as the WAIS, WISC, Rorschach, and Thematic Apperception Test.

• Ability to recognize symptoms of mental and/or emotional disorders.

• Ability to analyze psychological data, to draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.

• Ability to administer, score, and interpret the results of intelligence, aptitude, and personality tests.

• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

• Ability to prepare statistical reports.

• Ability to plan training or instruction.

• Ability to work in group situations.

• Ability to gather information through observing and questioning individuals and by examining records and documents.

• Ability to make effective presentations.

• Ability to give instructions in a precise, understandable manner.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to interact with people who are under emotional and/or physical stress.

• Ability to deal tactfully with others.

• Ability to make decisions, act quickly, and maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.

• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.

• Ability to maintain accurate records.

• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates’ training needs and either providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action; and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.

• Ability to explain the provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, and standards governing assigned unit activities.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of supervision.

• Ability to plan, assign, and coordinate the activities of others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Based on assignment, must meet the eligibility requirements for Designated Forensic Psychologist in 104 CMR 33.04(3)(b).
• Designated Forensic Psychologist certification preferred.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

License and/or Certification Requirements:

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

About Taunton State Hospital:

Taunton State Hospital (TSH) operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a 62-bed inpatient facility that provides continuing care inpatient services to adults with major mental illnesses.  The hospital is a leader in the successful integration of the Principles of Recovery and a rehabilitation philosophy into the treatment model and a part of the Southeast Area which works closely with the inpatient treatment teams to facilitate patients’ discharge back to the community.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

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.

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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122, Option 4.

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 a school accredited by the American Psychological Association. 

Applicants must also have at least four years of years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional post-doctoral 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 two years must have included supervision over Post-doctoral Psychologists-in-training and /or Psychological Associates.  

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.