Clinical Psychologist (San Diego, CA)

Position Overview:  The Clinical Psychologist will provide specialized behavioral health services within a primary care setting, focusing on delivering brief, consultation-based interventions to patients and Primary Care Managers (PCMs). The role requires expertise in clinical or counseling psychology, with a commitment to integrated care practices aimed at enhancing patient well-being.

Responsibilities: Deliver brief, consultation –based services to patients and PCMs using an integrated care model. Services provided are standard and mimic the structure, function, and pace of primary care (i.e., psychotherapy or other specialty care psychological assessments are inappropriate and therefore prohibited). The PCM is ultimately responsible for the patient’s health care plan and makes the determination on how the HCW’s recommendations might be integrated into the PCM’s plan for the patient.

· Provide timely and succinct feedback to primary care physicians regarding consultations findings and recommendations. Determine the appropriateness of the patient receiving services in the primary care setting and assisting with implementation of treatment plans.

· Formulate behavioral health interventions appropriate to primary care setting and assisting with implementation of treatment plans.

· Provide brief follow ups, including relapse –prevention education.· Help facilitate classes that promote clinically related patient education and skill-building to enhance psychological and physical health.

· See approximately 8-14 patients a day within one year of Phase I evaluation completion.

· Provide concise documentation of care and recommendations in patient’s medical record in no less than 24 hours after the patient is seen.

· Participate in group medical appointments including Shared Medical Appointments (SMA) and Drop-in Group Medical Appointments (DIGMA) as requested by the PCM.

· Provide technical direction and clinical insight into relevant projects being conducted at the site of service.

· The HCW shall be an active participant in the Internal Behavioral Health Consultant (IBHC) special program. The HCW shall function as a member of the patient’s primary care team who specializes in a wide range of behavioral and medical conditions. The Clinical Psychologist will participate as subject matter expert on mental health matters for the IBHC team assigned to each program participant’s care team.

· The care plan shall include monitoring videotaped appointments and provide clinical insight on the patient’s overall clinical assessment. The HCW shall participate in the IBHC program by providing clinically related input on the overall success of the care team and may suggest areas that may need improvement. In no way shall the HCW be a decision maker but only an advisor to the government supervisors of the IBHC program’s care plan achievements in relation to patient care.

· The HCW shall maintain clear and consistent communication with the BUMED BHIP Program Manager and local command leadership during the assessment of participating patients in the program and may assist and provide insight to the government supervisor on mental health projects.

· Participate in peer review and performance improvement activities.

· Practice aseptic techniques as necessary. Comply with infection control guidelines to include the proper handling, storage, and disposal of infectious wastes, and the use of universal precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

· Function with an awareness and application of safety procedures.

· Perform efficiently in emergency patient situations following established protocols, remaining calm, informing appropriate persons, and documenting events. Anticipate potential problems/emergencies and make appropriate interventions. Notify supervisor, director, or other designated person regarding problems that HCW is unable to manage.

· Apply an awareness of legal issues in all aspects of patient care and strive to manage situations in a reduced risk manner.

· Participate in the implementation of the Family Advocacy Program as directed. Participation shall include, but not be limited to, appropriate medical examination, documentation, and reporting.

· Exercise awareness and sensitivity to patient/significant others’ rights, as identified within the MTF. Maintain an awareness of responsibility and accountability for own professional practice.

· Participate in continuing education to meet own professional growth.

· Attend and/or comply with all annual training classes required by the Command, to include but not limited to online annual training provided by the MTF: disaster training, infection control, Sexual Harassment, Bloodborne Pathogens, Fire and Safety, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE), and all other required training.

· Actively participate in the command’s Performance Improvement Program. Participate in meetings to review and evaluate the care provided to patients, identify
opportunities to improve the care delivered, and recommend corrective action when problems exist.

· Participate in the provision of in-service training to clinic/ward/unit staff members. Provide training and/or clinical direction as applicable to supporting government employees (e.g., hospital corpsmen, students, etc.).

· Attend and participate in various meetings as directed.

· Perform timely, accurate, and concise documentation of patient care.

· Operate and manipulate automated systems such as MHS Genesis. Participate in clinical staff Performance Improvement (PI) and Risk Management (RM) functions, as prescribed by the Commander. Maintain DOD email account as directed. The HCW shall be responsive to all email and voicemail communications.

· Exercise appropriate clinical delegation of tasks and duties in the direction and coordination of health care team members, patient care, and clinic activities.

· Maintain documentation of all treatment provided in accordance with clinic directives and prepare such records and reports as may be required. All records and reports must be legible. Abbreviations must be only those listed in local instructions.

Qualifications:

Education: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Graduate from an American Psychological Association accredited college or university with a doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology. Additional specialty training may be required as per DHA PM 6025.13, vol. 4.
Possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted license or certification to practice as a psychologist in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Internship/Residency: Successful completion of an internship in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association. One-year fellowship or residency in health psychology or behavioral medicine or possess one year of experience in the last four years in the evaluation and treatment of patients who have pain, psychological factors affecting their physical condition, or difficulty coping with medical problems.