Travel Licensed Psychologist for SNF Behavioral Health

The Licensed Psychologist provides behavioral health evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and consultation services to residents across multiple Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). The role supports regulatory compliance (CMS, CDPH), QAPI initiatives, and interdisciplinary care planning, with a focus on:

• Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
• Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
• Dementia-related behaviors
• Adjustment disorders and psychosocial stressors

The Psychologist plays a key role in ensuring timely behavioral health interventions, reducing rehospitalizations, improving quality measures, and supporting survey readiness and compliance monitoring.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis
   • Conduct initial and ongoing psychological evaluations for new admissions (especially TAPS-triggered residents) and behavioral changes or acute events.
   • Utilize standardized tools: TAPS (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Substance), PHQ-9, BIMS, MoCA (as applicable).
   • Provide DSM-5-based diagnoses and clinical impressions.
   • Determine risk level (Low / Moderate / High behavioral risk).
2. Treatment Planning & Intervention
   • Develop individualized behavioral health care plans in collaboration with IDT.
   • Provide psychotherapy (brief, solution-focused, supportive), behavioral interventions, and coping strategies.
   • Address aggression, agitation, wandering, refusal of care, substance-seeking behaviors, depression, anxiety, and trauma.
3. Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Collaboration
   • Participate in care plan meetings, behavioral health rounds, and post-incident reviews (falls, altercations, substance events).
   • Provide recommendations to DON, Social Services, Nursing, Activities.
   • Support root cause analysis (RCA) and intervention planning.
4. Behavioral Health Program Support
   • Assist facilities with TAPS compliance workflows and Behavioral Health Rapid Response protocols.
   • Develop and refine behavioral care pathways, de-escalation strategies, and non-pharmacological interventions.
5. Regulatory & Compliance Support
   • Ensure documentation meets CMS F-Tags (e.g., F740–F745 Behavioral Health), Title 22 (California SNF regulations), and CDPH survey expectations.
   • Provide documentation that is survey-ready and legally defensible.
   • Assist during surveys, IDR processes, and compliance monitor reviews.
6. Staff Education & Training
   • Provide training to nursing staff (RN/LVN/CNA), social services, and leadership team on managing difficult behaviors, substance use disorder awareness, suicide risk identification, and trauma-informed care.
   • Support DSD with competency validation.
7. Crisis Intervention
   • Respond to suicidal ideation or attempts, aggressive or violent behavior, and acute psychosis.
   • Provide immediate assessment and recommendations for transfer (if needed).
   • Clearance documentation for return from acute care.
8. Documentation Requirements
   • Complete timely documentation including initial evaluations (within facility-defined timeframe), progress notes, IDT recommendations, and risk assessments.
   • Ensure clarity, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
   • Integration into EMR (e.g., MatrixCare).
9. Quality Improvement (QAPI) Participation
   • Participate in QAPI initiatives related to behavioral health outcomes, reduction in antipsychotic use, and rehospitalization rates.
   • Provide data insights and recommendations.
   • Assist with behavioral health dashboards and trending.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in Psychology from an accredited institution.
• Active, unrestricted license as a Psychologist in the State of California.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in SNF, subacute, or geriatric settings (preferred) and behavioral health or substance use treatment.
• Experience with dementia care and post-acute / long-term care populations.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of geriatric psychology, substance use disorders (SUD), and behavioral interventions in SNF settings.
• Familiarity with CMS regulations and survey process, QAPI frameworks.
• Ability to work independently across multiple facilities, communicate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, and provide clear, defensible clinical documentation.

Work Environment

Multi-site SNF coverage across Northern California with a combination of on-site facility visits and potential telehealth services (if applicable). Travel required between facilities.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality (HIPAA compliance).
• Adhere to facility and corporate policies.
• Support organizational mission, vision, and core values.
• Participate in regional clinical meetings as assigned.

Salary Range: $140,000.00 to $160,000.00 per year depending on experience.