Psychologist V

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a motivated and experienced candidate for a full-time Psychologist V position at the Wrentham Developmental Center. The Psychologist V will play a crucial role in addressing a wide range of needs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The level of responsibility will involve a combination of advanced clinical skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a deep understanding of both psychological and developmental principles.

The Psychologist V position requires a balance of empathy, clinical expertise, and a commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals with diverse and complex needs.

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

Provide a full range of psychological services including conducting assessments, creating positive behavioral support plans, training and supervising staff, providing input into medication and Individual Service Plans (ISPs), and providing individual and group counseling to assigned caseload when appropriate.

Effective communication skills as well as the ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams are essential.

Responsible for a full range of psychological services to an assigned caseload, including assessment, development of psychological treatment plans, staff training and supervision, and direct service delivery.

Supply hands-on, resident training and active involvement with assigned residents, managing aggression, self-injury, socially inappropriate behavior, and provide skilled acquisition training programs.

Crisis intervention during behavioral/psychiatric staff supervision in crisis management and provide clinical assessments using appropriate psychological testing/assessment tools in evaluating individual residents.

Develop, implement, and supervise appropriate systems for data collection with all residents who receive psychoactive medication and/or who have psychological treatment plans.

Ensure the incorporation of techniques and goals of other professional disciplines into the psychology program, wherever possible, to ensure carry-over of client training programs.

Required Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of field of psychology, particularly Behavioral Psychology, Learning and Conditioning, principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and human development.

Knowledge and experience with application of psychological techniques to individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness.

Experience and demonstrated skill supervising psychologists and psychology associates in the provision of psychological services to intellectually challenged adults, including evaluation and treatment.

Knowledge of and experience with the management of aggressive behavior in developmentally delayed and dual-diagnosed individuals.

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience as an administrative and clinical supervisor of professional staff.
• Ability to organize, manage and motivate staff effectively.
• Ability to work with other department heads and administrators to integrate and organize effective facility-based training programs.
• Knowledge of the Title 19 system.
• In depth knowledge of methods of statistics, research design and data analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

Supervisory and/or managerial experience in the provision of 24-hour, 7-day/week services to an intellectually challenged population preferred.

Competent in behavioral intervention, applied behavior analysis, and other research-based methodologies.

Demonstrated knowledge of the interpretation and analysis of assessment and testing results, Diagnosis of intellectual and developmental disabilities, and current trends in the field.

Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

• Evidence of the practice of a high level of confidentiality.
• Thoroughness, independence, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Record of working in multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong knowledge of, and experience working within a Title-19 certified, Intermediate Care Facility.

Please Note

This position is located in the Department of Developmental Services located at the Wrentham Developmental Center.

Schedule: 8:00 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. Monday through Friday

Days off: Saturday and Sunday

Flexibility required to meet the needs of the program.

About the Department of Developmental Services

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members.

DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential support.

The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: mass.gov

Pre-Hire Process

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Commission for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (CPPD) Abuse Registry Search: https:cppdmass.gov
• Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. mass.gov
• National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. mass.gov

ADA Reasonable Accommodation

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

For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.

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

ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT.

This position is designated as an "EMERGENCY" position in the Department of Developmental Services Emergency Plan. This means that whenever the Governor declares that the Commonwealth is in a state of emergency, selected candidate will be required to report to work.

This is a Civil Service position. If there is no Civil Service list for this title, employees appointed must take and pass the next Civil Service examination when administered.

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 basi