Job Title: Pain Psychologist

Department: Neurosciences, Behavioral Health

Location: Unity at Ridgeway - Spine Center

Hours Per Week: Per Diem

Schedule: Variable

SUMMARY:

Provide mental health treatment at the lowest level of intervention while allowing the patient the highest quality of life. The pain psychologist will work closely with the neuropsychologists, psychometrists and will split time between evaluations for pain pumps and stims as well as CBT and DBT counseling services. They will also work closely with neurologists for migraine and headache treatments.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Initial Assessment (Screening)
• Using interviewing and observational skills, identifies assessment data appropriate to the chronological and developmental age of adults and records data.
• Establishes a therapeutic alliance with patient.
• Demonstrates use of clinical and theoretical information appropriate to the chronological and developmental age of patients.
• Documents assessment data obtained from interviews and observations of the patient and obtained from appropriate sources.
• Demonstrates knowledge of a number of contemporary psychological tests including Standard Intelligence and Achievement tests, Objective Personality Tests and Projective Personality tests and their use with  patients.
• Demonstrates competence in the administration of appropriate psychological tests to patients.
• Documents testing data through psychological reports.
• Treatment Planning
• Formulates a comprehensive treatment plan integrating comprehensive initial assessment data that is appropriate to the chronological and developmental age of patients.
• Collaborates with patient and others to develop appropriate objectives and outcomes of care.
• Coordinates care with primary medical providers and others in the community as appropriate.
• Implementation of Treatment Plan 
• Engages in therapeutic relationships that focus on patient’s needs and provides a structured process for patient to reach the objectives outlined in the treatment plan.
• Revises interventions based on patient’s response.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in providing Brief Individual Therapy for patients.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in providing Group Therapy for patients.
• Documents all treatment contacts accurately and in accordance with BHN policy.
• Collaborates and communicates with primary care providers and multidisciplinary team as appropriate and discusses contacts in patient’s record.
• Evaluates treatment plan in accordance with BHN policy and revises treatment plan based on most current assessment data.
• Devises criteria for termination of the patient from treatment as part of the treatment process.
• Caseload Management
• Demonstrates ability to keep caseload dynamic.
• Demonstrates ability to determine least restrictive level of care for patient.
• Can articulate status of progress of patients on caseload, focus of treatment and plan for length of stay.
• Demonstrates ability to manage the indirect responsibilities of patient care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctoral degree in one of the following areas of Psychology: Clinical, School, or Counseling Psychology
• Strong analytical, computer, and communication skills
• NYS licensed Psychologist or eligible