Psychologist - UEDC

Overview

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is recruiting Licensed and Licensed-eligible psychologists for our secure facilities and community division. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining DJJ. This position is eligible for a $10,000 sign-on bonus.

We are recruiting for psychologists to conduct evaluations in a forensic setting that specializes in juvenile justice-involved youth undergoing court-ordered evaluations, as well as delivering evidence-based, youth-centered therapeutic engagement, treatment, and rehabilitation.

Mission:
It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Job Purpose:

Under limited supervision, develops and implements secure, facility-based psychological services (evaluation, consultation, and therapeutic) for youth involved with SC DJJ. In support and absence of facility Clinical Director, provides supervision of evaluation and therapeutic services provided by facility Mental Health Professionals.

• Completes evaluations for youth who have no prior evaluation or outdated evaluations to assess diagnoses and treatment needs and determine the most appropriate placement.
• Conducts clinical interviews with youth and family members, performs record reviews, and consults with DJJ County Office staff and other agencies involved with the youth.
• Completes court-ordered evaluations as needed.
• Administers and interprets psychological tests and prepares reports for treatment purposes.
• Identifies youth with Serious Mental Illness or Intellectual Disability and makes referrals to the appropriate agencies.
• Participates in DJJ treatment planning and interagency staffing.
• Consults in cases of youth with special needs (e.g., mental health or developmental issues).
• Consults with DJJ County Office staff regarding problematic issues/cases.
• Attends interagency staffings as needed for evaluation and committed youth.
• Provides treatment services to youth, including individual and group therapy/counseling.
• Provides supervision of evaluation and therapeutic services provided by facility Mental Health Professionals in support and/or absence of facility Clinical Director.
• Provides interdisciplinary training to facility staff.
• Provides crisis intervention services on a rotating basis with other mental health professionals, including after-hours on-call services.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

STATE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A doctorate in applied psychology from an accredited college or university and experience in the practice of applied psychology.

Additional Requirements:

Thorough knowledge of current psychological theory/practice and psychological evaluation/assessment techniques. Ability to select/ administer/ interpret psychological tests and effectively communicate findings. Ability to communicate effectively with juveniles, staff, relevant agencies, and the concerned public. Excellent writing skills required. Must be able to work in a secure facility setting and have the confidence/endurance to work in a sometimes hostile environment with youth with varying behavioral health issues and challenges.

Must be able to walk, lift 25 lbs. On-call duties are required and must be able to work varied hours if necessary. This position involves duties related to custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within DJJ jurisdiction; training will be provided.

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: A doctoral degree in applied psychology from an APA-approved program and possession of a current license to practice psychology in South Carolina, or license eligibility within two years.

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions, including:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave…