Performance Psychology and Wellness Services Clinician

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Job Summary

The PAWS Clinician will work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive general psychological services and lifetime wellness services for University of Michigan student-athletes. The PAWS Clinician will have a wide-range of clinical and administrative daily responsibilities to include the provision of treatment that spans the spectrum of care, ranging from debilitating emotional distress to optimization of performance, as well as coordinating and providing consultation and relevant training to teams, coaches, Student-Athlete Health & Welfare personnel, and other Athletics team members.

The Performance Psychology and Wellness Services offers clinical education opportunities, paid professional development opportunities, and dedicated sport assignments. PAWS Clinicians are encouraged to use this time to pursue clinical or performance certifications.

Responsibilities*

Essential Functions:

  • Provide individual mental health and AOD assessments, as well as individual, group, and team counseling services, in a confidential setting for student-athletes.
  • Administer optimal performance enhancement techniques for student-athletes.
  • Provide a high level of customer service and communication to all entities at all times.
  • Participate in health and lifetime wellness initiatives for student-athletes.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of student-athlete programming for leadership development, personal growth, and health and wellness.
  • Collaborate with various campus programs on issues related to student-athlete wellness and development.
  • Assess and respond to needs for crisis intervention with individuals and groups within the athletic department.
  • Coordinate referrals to outside resources for mental health and AOD services for student-athletes.
  • Assess the need for ADHD/ADD evaluation/referral, including, but not limited to, psychological testing for mental health diagnosis.
  • Provide consultation with coaches on individual and team dynamics
  • Promote a culture where student-athletes choose to make a commitment to lifelong health and wellness and personal and professional development
  • Participate on a multi-disciplinary team within the athletic department in the management of student-athletes with significant mental health issues, eating disorders, etc.
  • Participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing execution of training and development initiatives for student-athletes, including, but not limited to, annual programming that reaches all student-athletes on the topics of Hazing, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Sexual Misconduct/Harassment, and Bystander Accountability.
  • Maintain a strong rapport with multiple constituencies, including undergraduate and graduate student-athletes, coaches, Michigan Athletic departments and team members, faculty, on-campus resource centers, alumni, former letter-winners, parents, donors, potential employees, and other strategic partners.
  • Establish and maintain collaborative alliances with multiple stakeholders at the University of Michigan.
  • Use technology and social media to foster an effective and efficient overall experience for student-athletes and department team members.
  • Assist with special projects as assigned regarding donor and student-athlete support;
  • Contribute to the development of an environment for team members and student-athletes that is healthy, safe, equitable, and culturally diverse;
  • Accurate documentation and ethical record keeping;
  • Adhere to all policies and procedures as defined by the NCAA, Big 10 Conference, University of Michigan, and University of Michigan Department of Athletics.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
  • Adhere to the Code of Ethics and credentialing requirements of the State of Michigan.
  • Participate in special projects, committees, or other initiatives as assigned.
  • Participate in continuous professional development activities;
  • Represent the University of Michigan and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at University, State, Regional, National, and International conferences and/or meetings as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Supervision and education of assigned students enrolled in clinical internships within the University and professional interns/residents.
  • Supervision and education of other performance team members as assigned.

Travel:

  • Travel with assigned team(s) on occasion as needed and/or directed.

Other Duties:

  • Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities,
    duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may
    change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications*

  • Doctorate in Psychology, Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling.
  • Fully licensed or eligible for licensure in the field of practice as governed by the State of Michigan's Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) or within 90 days of employment.
  • Minimum 3-5 years of clinical experience in sport, higher education, or other related setting.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide treatment that spans the spectrum of care for student-athletes, ranging from debilitating emotional distress to optimization of performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to consider and address the needs and concerns of persons from culturally diverse backgrounds, including students of color, international students, LGBTQIA2S, and non-traditional students, and to foster sensitivity to a diverse and inclusive campus culture. 
  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support student-athletes and the mission of the Department.
  • Sound computer and presentation skills and effective report preparation.
  • Compliance and understanding of Big Ten Conference and NCAA rules. 
  • Ability to champion a culture of innovative thought, life-long learning, and continuous improvement. 
  • Ability to meet Continuing Education requirements as established by the State of Michigan.
  • Ability to follow policies and procedures set forth by the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must be able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, coaches, student-athletes, physicians, and other allied health personnel.
  • Must possess problem-solving and critical thinking skills, innovation and creativity, adaptability, initiative and stress tolerance to various situations in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
  • Must provide a high level of customer service.
  • Ability to work occasional long hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, non-traditional work hours, extended periods of time without days off, travel, and be on-call as a regular part of the position.
  • Proven ability to multitask, work independently, prioritize, and complete tasks in a timely manner. 
  • Demonstrated successful leadership and decision-making skills.
  • Demonstrated track record of developing collaborative relationships with both internal and external constituencies. 
  • Proven ability to multi-task, work independently, prioritize, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
  • Demonstrated track record of developing collaborative relationships with both internal and external constituencies.
  • Knowledge and understanding of working with diverse and multicultural populations.

Desired Qualifications*

  • Advanced training in sport psychology (e.g., Association for Applied Sport Psychology Certified Consultant or member of the USOC sport psychology registry).
  • Knowledge and understanding of eating disorders/disordered eating - assessment and treatment.
  • Knowledge and understanding of unique aspects of the student-athlete population.
  • Knowledge of, and ability to conduct, alcohol and other drug assessments, and ability to work with the student-athlete population on these issues.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

  • Generous time off 
  • A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting 
  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance 
  • Life insurance 
  • Long-term disability coverage 
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.