The Psychologist in the Pain Management Center (CPM) will assess and treat patients with chronic benign pain in an interdisciplinary chronic pain management program focused on functional restoration. The psychologist will collaborate with medical/nursing staff and physical, occupational, vocational, and relaxation therapists, to provide a comprehensive program to teach patients pain management skills and help them to achieve a more functional lifestyle. 

The Psychologist will be responsible for initial evaluations to determine the patients’ psychological, cognitive, and emotional status and will advise the physician regarding readiness for the CPM program and/or the need for prior psychological interventions. The psychologist develops treatment plans and for psycho-educational interventions in a small group setting, teaching patients basic pain mechanisms, pain management techniques, emotion regulation, and stress management tools.  The psychologist will also treat patients individually to enhance acceptance of chronic pain and help patients to develop the necessary cognitive and emotional tools to manage pain and improve quality of life. 

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Conduct clinical assessments through semi-structured interviews of patients to formulate an individualized plan of treatment.
2. Select, administer, interpret, and report on results of psychological tests to develop treatment plans.
3. Employ various structured and unstructured treatment techniques on an individual and group basis to address psychological needs of patients. Adapt care as appropriate for individual characteristics of the patient. Assure patient safety in all aspects of service delivery.
4. Monitor patient’s progress during treatment and revise goals and plans as necessary. Alert appropriate treatment team members to critical changes in patient’s psychological status.
5. Consult with treatment teams regarding psychological factors that affect implementation of and compliance with treatment, goals and therapeutic relationships. Participate in clinical and programmatic team meetings. Co-treat with other disciplines as required.
6. Contribute to discharge planning by providing community referrals and resources for psychological services and providing education to family members regarding the patient’s status, management of emotional and behavioral concerns, and family support.
7. Complete appropriate documentation of assessments and treatment of patients and families. Comply with prescribed standards for adequacy and timeliness of documentation. Accurately bill for services and adhere to standards set for level of clinical productivity.
8. Evaluate own performance and development in relation to institutional and discipline specific standards. Maintain prescribed organizational competencies and discipline specific licensure. Seek continuing education and certifications to stay current and/or advance in discipline specific practices.
9. Adhere to and conducts practice according to prescribed ethical codes of the organization and discipline.
10. Contribute to the success and advancement of the organization through appropriate productivity; apply discipline specific expertise for program planning and evaluation; contribute to efficient/effective delivery of services.
11. Participate in scholarly activities for professional development and advancement of the goals of the organization. Collaborate with others in applied research in the field of rehabilitation and psychology. Lecture and teach within the organization and at other external professional forums. Contribute to academic life in the organization by seeking academic appointment, participating in committees, and mentoring students in clinical practice.
12. Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Current licensure by the State of Illinois.
2. Completion of a Ph.D. or Psy.D. from an accredited school of psychology and successful completion of a clinical internship and necessary postdoctoral supervised experience to obtain licensure. Knowledge of behavioral principles and therapy acquired through this level of academic study.
3. Approximately two to three years of progressively more complex experience in health related clinical environments. Advanced training and certification in health psychology, rehabilitation psychology desirable to meet this standard.
4. Training and experience with cognitive – behavioral psychotherapy and/or mindfulness based stress management  
5. Training and experience in MI (motivational interviewing), ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), and biofeedback-assisted relaxation considered a plus.
6. Interpersonal skills necessary for effective communication and collaboration with patients, families, physicians, other allied health professionals, and organizational administrators.
7. Analytic skills to exercise good judgment and problem solving in delivery of clinical and administrative services.
8. Knowledge and application of general professional skills for attention to detail, accountability and follow through, flexibility, and adaptability to changing work requirements. 
9. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Required Skills Required Experience

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain Planisware best-practice system designs by applying practical knowledge within the Planisware environment.
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of Planisware configuration.
• Take self-directed lead in analyzing system incident reports, performing root-cause analysis, assessing alternatives, and implementing a solution.
• Provide functional expertise in testing Planisware modifications and communicating the changes to the organization.
• Manage common configuration issues and system updates based on evolving business requirements and process changes.
• Design and implement complex system solutions as required to support Business needs.
• Organize and perform project planning, analysis, regression testing, and verification of Planisware system release upgrades and functional enhancements.
• Provide end-user system training.
• Identify improvement opportunities for application support processes and implement changes based on business needs.