Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical Duties:
- Serves at other IHSC medical facilities on temporary duty (TDY) as assigned providing direct patient care with at least 50% travel.
- Maintains an in-depth and up-to-date thorough knowledge of IHSC policies, IHSC Directives and Guides affecting behavioral health services, IHSC Behavioral Health Guidelines and national accreditation standards.
- Provides psychological assessment and evaluation of detainees.
- Demonstrates ability to work effectively with all members of the local health care teams to assure the delivery of comprehensive behavioral health care to all detainees.
- Provides input into treatment plans/on-site primary behavioral health care.
- Assists with identification of disability needs accommodations/follow-up care as needed.
- Works collaboratively with the on-site Clinical Director, Health Services Administrator and other personnel for management of detainees with complex psychiatric conditions.
- Determines the need for and provide direct mental health services to detainees with identified mental health and substance abuse problems utilizing psycho educational and treatment modalities as appropriate in the treatment of mental disorders.
- Documents all detainee encounters in electronic health record.
- Utilizes the multi-disciplinary approach in the treatment planning process for detainees identified with mental health problems.
- Provides consultation to medical, ICE, and contract staff regarding issues that include, but are not limited to risk assessment for violence, housing recommendations for handling difficult demanding, and mentally ill detainees.
- Demonstrates behavioral health triage process and screening of detainees/residents and performs functions as outlined in the approved IHSC Clinical Behavioral Guidelines. Refers patients to higher level of care as appropriate.
- Coordinates health care needs of detainees with health care team and coordinates referrals to off-site providers as required.
- Provides staff teaching/training in accordance with BHU's policies.
- Maintains non-involvement in the security/custody aspects of care.
- Promotes and fosters a local multidisciplinary approach to detainee care and the coordination of care with the other disciplines.
- Follows all IHSC Public Health, Safety, and Preparedness Unit Directives and Guides to maintain environmental health and safety, infection control, and all hazards emergency preparedness daily.
- Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies.
- Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
- Demonstrates leadership and willingness to assume increased level of responsibility: may be tasked to function as Team Lead.
- Identifies and suggests process improvement activities at local/regional/national level.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Consultation Duties:
When not on travel TDY status, incumbent oversees assigned projects, will support the Chief of BHU, DAD Clinical Services and HQ Behavioral Health Consultants, with special projects. As a member of the IHSC Behavioral Health Unit team, they will assist with:
- Collaborating with HQ Behavioral Health Consultants and Regional Behavioral Health Consultants in assessing and validating the current patient care delivery system, ensuring clinical and staffing standards for mental health practice are consistent with current evidence-based research and professional standards to align with the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
- Offering recommendations regarding improvements needed in clinic operations or to improve patient outcomes.
- Developing and communicating a strategic vision of behavioral health care that includes communicating values and goals for a diverse group of behavioral health professionals.
- Formulating short and long-range objectives for programs within the behavioral health unit to ensure integration of them with overall objectives/plans of IHSC.
- Planning, directing, coordinating and evaluating mental health policy.
- Development and annual revisions of national, evidence-based mental health Clinical Guidelines/Protocols.
- Development of strategies promoting the recruitment and retention of behavioral health providers and to recognize excellence.
- Providing behavioral health in-service trainings that increases understanding of the policies/procedures which promote best practices in mental health, compliance with accreditation standards, and other topics applicable for the nursing profession.
- Behavioral Health provider orientation and peer reviews.
- Providing on-site training or competency training in suicide prevention and other trainings, based on appropriate knowledge and training, as identified by the Chief of Behavioral Health.
- Duties as assigned
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation.
- You must successfully pass a drug screen.
- Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
- Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
- Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve an 18 to 24-month commitment to IHSC.
- Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer or USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidate.
Civilians are not eligible for this position.
Qualifications
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- 1. Requires physical exertion such as lifting objects greater than 30 pounds.
- Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
- Must have the ability to assist sick, injured or aging detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
- The work may necessitate some physical characteristics that will be required when responding to an emergency situation, such as running a short distance, prolonged standing and working in an austere environment.
- Travel at least 50% of the time.
- Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to five (5) minutes and maintain balance.
- Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
- Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
- Must be able to see, hear (with hearing aids if necessary), and smell as needed.
- Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
- Must perform the duties of the position in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
- Hazardous duty assignment
Education
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Clinical Social Worker - Knowledge of the clinical interventions and case management process commensurate with training and education at the master's level.
- Clinical Psychologist - Knowledge of specific functions of Psychology to include, but not limited to: Observation, Description, Testing, Evaluation, Interpretation, Diagnosis and Treatment.
- Minimum of three years clinical experience.
- Minimum of three years' experience with IHSC or in another correctional/detention health care setting, preferred, but not required
- Continuing education requirements must be met as required for licensing and board certification maintenance.
- Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
- Maintains current CPR/BLS Certification
- Holds a full, current and unrestricted license in any State, the District of Columbia or territory of the United States.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
- Highly effective interpersonal and organizational skills; strong writing skills to include document formulation, editing, and review.
- Interact effectively and collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to ensure the provision of high quality medical care of detainees.
- Knowledge of the indications and contraindications, complications, and techniques in the various psychiatric treatment and diagnostic modalities.
- Maintains USPHS basic readiness status.
- Knowledge of a wide range of complex behavioral health concepts, principles, and practices to perform psychological assessments of considerable diversity.
- Comprehensive knowledge of managing non-compliant patients, special needs populations, and patients with significant deficits in coping skills, thereby requiring continuing professional clinical support.
- Bilingual communication capability. Spanish preferred but not required.
Preferred and Not Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Correctional healthcare experience.
- Certification as Correctional Healthcare Professional (CCHP).
- Knowledge and/or experience with IHSC policies, NCCHC and PBNDS requirements.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below.
The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 12/18/2024.
PLEASE NOTE: If your materials are not received by the closing date, your application will be evaluated solely on the information available and you may not receive full consideration or may not be considered eligible. Also, if you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.
Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, contact the Human Resources Office representative listed on this announcement at least one day prior to the closing date for further instructions.
Next steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. To check your status, log on to your USAJOBS account, click on "Application Status," and then click "More Information." We expect to make a job offer within 60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. View more information on applying for federal employment.