Psychologist - Corrections - Soledad, CA

Position: Psychologist
Location: Correctional Facility in Soledad, California
Pay Range: $109.54 to $111.54 per hour
Contract Type: Full-time, 6 to 9 month contract with eligibility for extension

Minimum Requirements

• At least 12 continuous months of direct patient care experience in a public or private institution within the last 3 years
• Current clinical competencies
• Valid government-issued photo identification (Drivers License or Passport)
• Active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association
• Current and valid California Psychologist license (hard copy required)

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance
• Bonus eligibility upon contract extension
• Forty hours of paid sick leave
• Weekly payroll via direct deposit
• Pre-employment screenings (physical exam, drug test, mask fit, background check) are fully covered
• Opportunity for temp-to-perm placement with long-term state benefits, if available

Primary Responsibilities

• Deliver psychological services to mentally ill inmates under the direction of the Senior Psychologist, Supervisor, or Chief of Mental Health
• Monitor and supervise inmate conduct while maintaining a safe environment
• Serve as clinician-of-the-day during scheduled shifts, providing emergency mental health response as needed
• Collaborate effectively with all staff disciplines to maintain a high standard of care
• Conduct thorough mental health assessments that include criminal, psychological, and substance use histories
• Provide crisis intervention, group therapy, and individual counseling sessions
• Perform clinical assessments, including interviews conducted in inmate housing units, which may require walking long distances or stair climbing
• Identify and assess psychiatric symptoms, diagnose disorders, and plan treatments accordingly
• Administer, score, and interpret a range of psychological tests
• Prepare clinical documentation such as diagnostic reports and treatment plans aligned with current standards of care
• Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings and coordinate with facility healthcare staff on complex cases
• Record all services rendered using SOAPE-formatted progress notes
• Conduct mental status exams (MSEs) and review inmate records to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning
• Build community partnerships and refer inmates to appropriate external programs as approved
• Develop educational materials and facilitate mental health education for inmates, particularly those with chronic mental illness or sex offense histories
• Support inmates in accessing social and financial benefits such as SSI
• Track mental health program data for audits and quality assurance purposes
• Communicate with approved family members or caregivers after proper authorization
• Establish and maintain therapeutic rapport with inmates and their support systems to improve care outcomes
• Represent the department in formal or informal mental health discussions or initiatives
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new mental health programs and rehabilitative services