Psychological Assistant II

The Southeast Regional Office of DDS is looking for a dynamic clinician, with significant experience in Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS), and strong organizational and interpersonal skills, for the Emergency Stabilization Program (SESP) located in Wrentham, MA.  This program provides behavioral support, medication management and evaluation, medical oversight, and other therapeutic services dependent on the participant's treatment goals.  This position is a key member of the Interdisciplinary Team and works on site with the program's staff and participants providing assessment, development, implementations, and monitoring of functionally based treatment planning, feedback and input in the ongoing treatment planning, and training for staff and other clinicians.  Active participant in referral, intake, ongoing treatment, and transition for participants back to the community, providing summary of treatment goals and recommendations for community providers, family, and Area Office.  Clinical supervision is provided by the Regional Licensed Psychologist; administrative supervision is provided by the SESP Manager. 

Please Note: A current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license or equivalent license from the state in which you reside is required for this role.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

-       Review each referral for the SESP, identifying information needed, questions for individual’s existing Team members, and providing feedback and input on potential treatment goals and strategies.

-       Develop PBS plan/ protocols for accepted referrals, providing training to staff.

-       Develop and implement data collection systems (spreadsheets/ graphs); assess the data frequently and revise treatment as needed. 

-       Ongoing assessment and observation provided through each stay, modifying the plan and providing additional training and feedback as needed.

-       Recommend additional therapeutic supports (O.T. SLP, etc…) as needed to support the individual’s goals, provide input for clinician, and follow- up with recommendations. 

-       Provide crisis intervention during psychiatric/ behavioral emergencies including the application of PABC de-escalation and restraint techniques as required.

-       Work closely with the SESP’s psychiatric provider to ensure consistency in care.   

-       Work with the Interdisciplinary Team to monitor progress towards admission goals and to transition successfully back to the community.  Prepare data and observations for IDT Review and Case Consultation. 

-       Participate in planning for discharge, preparing a detailed discharge summary outlining recommendations for behavioral supports and strategies, recommended community therapeutic supports if needed, and summarize progress towards admission goals.  Provide training to receiving staff/ family as needed and requested.  Share treatment plan with receiving clinician.

-       Participate in the program’s PBS Leadership meeting as a PBS Qualified Clinician.

-       Participate in all case consultations, Interdisciplinary Team meetings, referral meetings, and Intake meetings and staff meetings as requested.  Participate in the initial visits with the potential referrals with the SESP Manager. 

-       Maintain and improve knowledge of positive behavior supports; completing DDS required trainings as well as CEUs/ trainings for licensure. 

-       Ensure that PBS/ DDS Regulatory requirements are being met.

-       Exercise discretion in handling confidential information.

-       Always conduct self in a professional manner and represent the Department and its mission accurately and positively.

-       Complies with all DDS policies and regulations.

-       Performs other related professional duties as required. 

Required Qualifications:

• -       Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of general and developmental psychology.

• -       Knowledge of types and symptoms of psychiatric and/ or emotional disorders.

• -       Knowledge Positive Behavior Supports and the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis and experience with their application to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 

• -       Knowledge of principles and practices of psychological testing and developmental assessment.

• -       Experience conducting Functional Behavior Assessment, and using the information obtained to develop sound, functionally based supports and interventions utilizing a PBS framework.

• -       Knowledge of methods of design and data analysis and ability to analyze, draw conclusions and make recommendations. 

• -       Knowledge of interviewing techniques.

• -       Knowledge of general report writing.

• -       Knowledge of crisis management procedures, certified in a recognized curriculum.

• -       Ability to develop and implement treatment planning, utilizing a PBS framework. 

• -       Ability to organize workload and to effectively communicate with others.

• -       Ability to work in group situations.

• -       Ability to plan, develop, and present effective training curriculum.

• -       Ability to work with individuals who are under emotional and/ or physical stress.

• -       Ability to develop and maintain harmonious relationships with others.

• -       Ability to make decisions, act quickly, and maintain a calm demeanor in stressful and/ or emergency situations. 

• -       Strong organizational skills.

• -       Strong interpersonal skills.

• -       Exercises discretion in handling sensitive and PHI information. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience and licensure to meet the requirements as a PBS Qualified Clinician:

• Master’s degree in psychology and 3 years of supervised experience using Applied Behavioral Analysis with individual with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  

• Currently licensed in Massachusetts as a psychologist, an applied behavioral analyst, BCBA, or a LMHC.
• Have at least 3 years of training, including post graduate work or formal training, and/ or experience in function based behavioral assessment and treatment.
• Have at least 3 years of clinical experience in the treatment of individuals with developmental disabilities.  

Please Note:

This position is located in the Emergency Stabilization Program in Wrentham, MA. 

Schedule: 

Full-time – 40-hour weekly position

Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Days off – Saturday and Sunday

Flexibility required to meet the needs of the program/area office.

About the Department of Developmental Services: 

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B+ operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds

Pre-Hire Process:

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

• Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry
• Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.  http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori 

• National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks

   

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4.

ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT.  

This is a Civil Service position.  If there is no Civil Service list for this title, employees appointed must take and pass the next Civil Service examination when administered.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100%25 of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.