The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in Cherokee, IA, is seeking a Licensed/Licensed eligible Psychologist or Mental Health Counselor to join the team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). This is a full-time position with HHS which offers resources for professional growth, opportunity for leadership advancement, and a unique occasion to advance a dynamic forensic behavioral health system in Iowa.

This position will work as part of an inviting and collaborative interdisciplinary team comprised of psychiatric providers, nurses, social workers, psychiatric rehabilitation specialists, and other health disciplines. You will work in conjunction with a doctorate-level forensic evaluator to provide competency restoration treatment, as well as provide therapeutic interventions, crisis management, and behavioral health consultation for civil and forensic commitments. This position will report to the CMHI Social Work Administrator, and receive psychological oversight, support, and collaboration from the HHS Clinical Director’s Office based in Des Moines, IA.

The primary duties of this position include the following:

• Provide didactic and skills-based competence restoration treatment, including implementing a competency restoration curriculum and training restoration providers.
• Provide individual/group/family psychotherapy for adults with serious mental illness.
• Provide crisis and behavioral management to patients, including creating safety, crisis, and behavior support plans.
• Complete clinical documentation and court reporting by required deadlines.
• Assist a doctorate-level forensic evaluator with various psychological assessments and evaluations as appropriate for professional background and competencies. Licensed doctorate-level candidates may complete this work independently.
• Provide psychological or behavioral health consultation, policy considerations, and guide staff training to work more effectively with civil and forensic commitments. This includes best practices for positive behavior management and restraint/seclusion reduction.

In addition, it is hoped that this clinician will assist HHS and their partners in further establishing a system of forensic behavioral healthcare that furthers the agency’s mission of providing high-quality programs and services that protect and improve the health and resiliency of individuals, families, and communities.

Education, training, and experience in forensic mental health is preferred.

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans. Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well.

We have a great total compensation package, including:

• Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contributes 6.29%/State of Iowa contributes 9.44%)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan) (State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (See below for additional information)
• Vacation Leave (96 hours/year to begin, and increases with years of service)
• Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance ($20,000 paid for by the State of Iowa)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer
HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a doctorate degree in psychology, behavior analysis, or counseling.
2) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in psychology, behavior analysis, social work, or counseling, and experience equal to two years of full-time clinical work in the provision of counseling and therapy in an institutional or community mental health, intellectual disability, long-term care, or correctional program.
3) Possession of a license to practice psychology from the Iowa Board of Psychology.
4) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as a Psychologist 1.

Additional Qualification Requirements

• Designated positions at the Glenwood and Woodward Resource Centers require certification with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, or require such certification within a period of time after hire as determined by the appointing authority.
• Designated positions may require licensure by the Iowa Board of Psychology Examiners, as determined by the appointing authority.