• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: Lerner Hall
• Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000

Position Summary

Columbia Health is among the nation’s largest and most comprehensive student health programs, serving a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population in the stimulating and dynamic academic environment of a leading research university located at the heart of New York City.  Our Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), the primary mental health provider for approximately 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students, is staffed by 60 Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, and Postdoctoral Fellows. The Senior Psychologist provides direct clinical services to patients served by CPS and serves as a clinical consultant and liaison to one or more schools and/or other key campus constituencies in order to promote early intervention in potentially emergent situations; participate in other prevention initiatives; identify and manage high-risk cases among the CPS patient population; and participate in the training and supervision of fellows and junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Serves as chief liaison and clinical consultant to one or more School, campus program or organization (e.g., Athletics, Greek Life, Academic Advisement Center, clergy, Milvets) and/or community resource. 

• Fosters early recognition of students at risk and timely referral of such students for psychological services. 

• Provides guidance in identifying and managing potentially volatile campus situations.

• Collaborates with providers, other services and University partners within and outside of Columbia Health on clinical and other work-related activities including but not limited to consultation with deans and other campus staff concerned about specific student problems and handling of administrative referrals. Maintains up-to-date and accurate patient records. 

• Provides psychological evaluations involving diagnostic assessment based on a review of the presenting problem(s) and of the patient’s developmental, social, psychological, academic/employment, and treatment history. 

  • Provides short-term and moderate-term psychotherapy and crisis intervention.

• Manages emergent situations through direct crisis intervention and therapy with at-risk students and by providing consultation and support to junior staff treating such students.

  • Participates in other risk management functions of CPS, including, as needed, consultation to   behavioral intervention teams, participation in administrative evaluations, and periodic audits of junior staff charts from a quality assurance and risk management perspective. 

• Participates in QA and evaluation activities; compiles data in areas of specialty, as needed by the Associate Vice President, Counseling and Psychological Services. 

• Depending on the needs of the Service, and the provider’s individual areas of specialization, participates in at least two of the following specialized activities:

  • Develops and implements therapy groups, psychoeducational workshops and/or other outreach activities.

  • Facilitates or co-facilitates a clinical consultation group or the Trauma Support Team and provides verbal and written feedback to the Associate Vice President regarding the progress of group members.

  • Leadership role in Behavioral Health Initiative.

  • Participates in Columbia Health or University committees and initiatives; prepares presentations and documentation, as needed, in connection with these activities.

  • Clinical oversight during drop-in hours, including, but not limited to, managing patient flow, triaging cases and facilitating hospitalizations or otherwise managing student crises.

  • Develops, implements and provides clinical services addressing specific student populations including, but not limited to, veterans, international students, students of color, first gen students, and/or LGBTQ students.

  • Provides training and supervision to junior licensed staff, psychology fellows and/or psychiatric residents in training. Provides Associate Vice President with verbal feedback regarding supervisees’ progress as well as written feedback for their performance appraisals.

• Performs other duties as assigned. 
• Some evening hours and on-call duties required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Ph.D. or Psy.D. in clinical psychology or Ph. D in counseling psychology.

• New York State license or eligible. 

• Requires a minimum of 8 years' related experience with a least 5 years supervisory experience, preferably in a college or university counseling service or equivalent setting.

• Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic skills, particularly using short-term treatment interventions and crisis intervention. 

• Demonstrated experience in the assessment and management of suicidality and crisis intervention and in trauma-informed treatment. Passion for, and experience in, working with trauma survivors.

• Availability to work outside of ordinary business hours (i.e., 9 to 5 PM) as needed during the academic year.

• Experience in college counseling is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience: Demonstrable experience and expertise in working with one or more of the following populations: Acculturation challenges among international students (proficiency in Mandarin, Korean, Hindi and/or other languages is a plus); LGBTQ populations, Multicultural counseling, Veterans’ concerns, Trauma support, Eating disorders, Alcohol and substance abuse, Health psychology.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.