The Pediatric Consult Liaison Psychologist (CL Psychologist) position is a behavioral health provider who works in a consultative role, providing behavioral health interventions to pediatric patients and their families within the Randall Children’s Hospital with a focus on supporting babies, children, adolescents, and their families on adjusting to complex health issues.

The CL Psychologist is an integral member of the care team whose role is to help address a broad spectrum of behavioral health needs in the inpatient setting. Their goal is to improve outcomes and shorten length of hospital stay by reducing the psychological distress that many patients and families experience from managing new and serious diagnoses, physical and psychological trauma, exacerbation of chronic conditions, and medical symptoms with no clear etiology. CL Psychology also helps patients manage chronic pain, provides support for children and families who are dealing with end of life issues or poor prognoses. CL psychology will intervene when patients are struggling to adjust to their medical issues, are not adhering to care plans, or have disruptive behaviors inhibiting care. The CL psychologist provides consultative services for behavioral health issues in the form of assessment, management and triage of psychological and social concerns in concert with other members of the patient’s inpatient care team.

This position requires advanced level skill in delivering evidence-based interventions targeted to improve overall health for patients with a variety of emotional and behavioral issues.  The work includes the CL Psychologist meeting with patients and families for an assessment and providing recommendations to the care team to enhance the patient's care plan.  When indicated, the CL Psychologist may meet with patients and families for several subsequent consults during a hospital stay.  The CL Psychologist will also work closely with CL Psychiatry and Social Work Care Management to create care plans for patients post-discharge.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education:

• Psychology Doctoral degree from an accredited school of Psychology.
• Completion of Psychology Internship and Residency.

 Experience:

• Minimum of two years of pediatric clinical experience including prior inpatient experience. 
• Preferred experience with trauma informed care, working in integrated medical teams, and working in fast paced environments.

Licensure/Certification:

• Licensed Psychologist (PhD/PsyD).

SKILLS:

• Able to conduct Cognitive-Behavioral or solution focused interventions.
• Recognizes and advocates for patients regarding behavioral health strategies/interventions to the treatment team.  Promotes health behavior change through evaluation, brief intervention and education. 
• Works with multidisciplinary team to help support the patient’s health.
• Coordinates with physicians, nurses, social work care managers, registered dieticians, and all other members of the care team to provide excellent consultation.
• Demonstrates competencies in assessment of emotional, cognitive and behavioral disorders in child, adolescent.
• Demonstrates competencies in understanding the relationship between medical and psychological conditions.  Demonstrates competency in assessment cognitive and psychological problems associated with, and/or exacerbating medical conditions.
• Demonstrates excellent communication and relational skills. This role requires managing the needs of multiple parties skillfully and with consistent follow through and informative documentation.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled. Sorry, no J1 or H-1B visa opportunities.

For additional information please formally apply or contact Erin Pendergraft at EPENDERG@LHS.ORG.