Psychologist - Corrections - Soledad, CA

Position Title: Psychologist
Location: Correctional Facility in Soledad, California
Pay Rate: $140.74 to $142.74 per hour
Schedule: Full-time, 6 to 9 month contract with potential for extension

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 12 continuous months of direct patient care experience within the past 3 years in a public or private institution
• Clinical competencies must be up to date
• Valid government-issued photo ID (Drivers License or Passport)
• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association
• Valid and current California Psychologist license (hard copy required)

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage
• Bonus available upon contract extension
• Forty hours of paid sick leave
• Weekly direct deposit payroll
• All pre-employment screening (physical, drug test, mask fit test, and background check) fully paid by the employer
• Opportunity for permanent state employment with excellent long-term benefits, if available

Job Responsibilities

• Provide psychological services to inmates under the direction of the Senior Psychologist, Supervisor, or Chief of Mental Health
• Maintain order and ensure the safety and supervision of patient-inmates
• Serve as clinician-of-the-day on a rotating basis to respond to emergencies during scheduled workdays
• Collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team to foster a supportive and productive environment
• Conduct initial mental health evaluations, including case history, psychological assessments, and treatment recommendations
• Provide face-to-face interventions including crisis counseling, group therapy, and one-on-one psychotherapy
• May conduct assessments at the cell front, including units requiring stair access or extended walking distances
• Identify psychiatric disorders and accurately assess, diagnose, and manage treatment
• Administer, score, and interpret psychological assessments across various modalities
• Write clinical reports and develop treatment plans in accordance with best practices
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and consult on complex mental health cases
• Maintain thorough documentation of all care provided, including SOAPE-formatted progress notes
• Conduct mental status exams and review prior records such as medical charts, court documents, and criminal reports to aid in diagnosis
• Establish partnerships with community-based programs and agencies to support treatment continuity
• Provide education and develop resources for mentally ill and sex offender inmates
• Assist inmates in accessing social services and entitlement benefits such as SSI
• Collect and review data for audits related to mental health compliance
• Submit relevant documentation to support staff for record-keeping and administrative tracking
• Communicate with relatives or caregivers only with a signed release from the inmate
• Build therapeutic relationships with inmates and their support networks, as permitted
• Represent the facility in mental health discussions and contribute to program development
• Support the design and implementation of new rehabilitation and training initiatives for patient-inmates