• Assesses, monitors, and evaluates incarcerated individuals at NCCF with mental health diagnoses and/or psychotropic medication prescriptions. Triage incarcerated individuals who are scheduled or who request to be scheduled to see the psychiatrist. Facilitates telemed sessions with the psychiatrist. Assesses/reassesses inmates who are requesting mental health services (kiosks). Schedule and assesses referrals from staff and addresses any emergency referrals immediately. Works closely with the assigned psychiatric provider to formulate a plan of care.
• Ensures that medication prescriptions are current to avoid delays or interruptions in the implementation of treatment plans. Works with the Nursing Director and psychiatrist to determine which incarcerated individual may be eligible for Self-Administered Medications according to DOC policy.
• Administers, scores, and interprets a variety of psychological assessment instruments including intelligence, personality, and vocational tests. Completes other evaluations as requested.
• Provides individual therapy, interventions, assignments, and reading materials to incarcerated individuals that may assist in improving their mental health. Researches, develops, and facilitates instructional classes for incarcerated individuals (Seeking Safety and MRT Trauma).
• Makes recommendations as to whether incarcerated individuals with mental health diagnoses can participate in the minimum outs programs.
• Conducts psychological evaluations as requested by the Board of Parole (BOP) and schedules psychiatric evaluations to ensure that these are completed prior to the incarcerated individual being reviewed by the BOP.
• Coordinates with counselors to ensure that all psychological evaluations are completed on schedule. Also updates counselors on the mental health status for individuals being reviewed by the BOP.
• Works with the Re-entry Coordinator to aid incarcerated individuals in need of mental health follow-up care and/or assistance with applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• Communicates effectively with suboxone group at NCCF to ensure referrals are investigated properly to determine need. Makes sure education is provided and any assessments, forms, or applications are completed. Helps coordinate care with psychiatrist including re-entry coordinator, TSD, NSD, and counselor in the process.
• Monitors incoming trips and reviews all incarcerated individuals arriving at NCCF. Alerts staff of any incarcerated individual who may need additional monitoring. Completes psychologist transfer-in on all incarcerated individuals admitted to NCCF and schedules follow up appointments as required by Department of Corrections Mental Health policies to monitor mental health needs.
• Scores the Sexual Violence Propensity (SVP) intake evaluation and screens on all incarcerated individuals upon admission to NCCF. Per PREA standards 115.41 and 115.81, those who have had a charge of a sexual related offense, are currently serving time for a sexual offense or have received a report while incarcerated for sexual misconduct will be offered follow up meeting with medical or mental health practitioner. Also, any incarcerated individual who has reported sexual abuse perpetrated onto them in their past will be offered follow up meeting with medical or mental health practitioner. Documentation of screening and follow up meetings will be kept for PREA Audits.
• Also acts as a qualified staff person to assist with individuals who have been victimized by sexual violence inside the facility when an advocate is not available. PREA Standard 115.21.
• Contributes comments to assist the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in cases where special needs incarcerated individuals have a received a major disciplinary report. Assesses incarcerated individuals who are a potential threat to self or others and is responsible for their plan of care. Assists security staff with managing behavioral concerns in relation to mental health.
• Consults with interdisciplinary team of staff when unusually difficult cases are encountered. Ensures that documentation is completed and all parties receive updated communication for coordination of care. Will coordinate with MHBURC (Mental Health Utilization Review Committee) for hard to place incarcerated individuals.
• Conducts rounds to D-Segregation as requested by the incarcerated individual or at least weekly for those in segregation. This is documented in ICON Medical.
• Oversees the Incarcerated Individual Observer program for Mental Health Observation (MHO) and Suicide Self Injury Prevention (SSIP) cases. Makes sure all appropriate documentation is kept according to policy.
• Develops, coordinates, and co-manages programs to accommodate incarcerated individuals with special needs. This involves collaborating with interdisciplinary staff in identifying individuals for this program and designing individualized behavior modification plans and instructing direct care staff. Regularly consults with incarcerated individual mentors who assist with special needs patients and meets with both individuals to proactively address special mental health needs.
• Develops and oversees the Mental Health Mentor Program designed to pair report-free incarcerated individuals who have demonstrated positive attitude/behavior with other incarcerated individuals who are having difficulty adjusting to the environment or a lower functioning level that might contribute to vulnerability or limit their participation in programs/activities. Interviews and hires mentor candidates, provides training, and monitors progress with assigned mentees.
• Instructs the Mental Health First Aid course for incarcerated individuals.
• Provides mental health training and education for staff including but not limited to; presentations, workshops, and informational emails.
• Attends treatment and health services department meetings and state-wide mental health meetings as scheduled.
• Completes other tasks assigned by supervisor.
• Documents all encounters in ICON Medical.

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

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a doctorate degree in psychology, behavior analysis, 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.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in psychology, behavior analysis, or counseling, and experience equal to four 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.
• Possession of a license to practice psychology from the Iowa Board of Psychology.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as a Psychologist 2.

• 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.

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