Salary : $81,203.20 - $124,883.20 Annually
Location : Independence - 50644 - Buchanan County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00161
Agency: 400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-POST
Point of Contact: Job DescriptionThe Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a full-time Psychologist or MA-Level Therapist to join the team at the Independence Mental Health Institute (IMHI).
HHS prefers an independently licensed provider at the doctoral or master's level, but licensure is not required for this position.
This position offers opportunities for professional growth, leadership advancement, and team-based clinical work with youth with serious emotional disturbances and complex behavioral health needs.
IMHI is a state-operated, acute psychiatric hospital that is accredited by the Joint Commission and CMS certified. Independence MHI operates 56 total beds with 20 beds for adult patients and 36 beds for child/adolescent patients.
This Psychologist or MA-Level Therapist position is designed to help meet the needs of IMHI's youth with complex behavioral health needs. The hospital includes an off-ward school that meets the educational needs of youth while hospitalized at IMHI.
The Psychologist or MA-Level Therapist will work as an active member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team comprised of psychiatric providers, nurses, social workers, activity specialists, and other disciplines.
This is one of three Psychologist/MA-Level Therapist positions at the facility, with each psychological/counseling provider working on a separate unit or caseload. This position reports to the IMHI Education Administrator, and receives clinical oversight, support, and collaboration from the HHS Clinical Director (licensed, doctoral-level psychologist).
The primary duties of this position include: - Provide professional psychological or mental health counseling services for youth admitted to an acute psychiatric hospital. Services include individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, family psychotherapy or consultation, crisis and behavioral management, and psychological testing and report writing (as competent).
- Actively participate as a multi-disciplinary treatment team member providing evidence-based, individualized, person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented interventions for child and adolescent patients.
- Conduct various psychological screens, assessments, and reports to clarify diagnosis, determine eligibility for services (e.g., intellectual disability), provide treatment and support recommendations, and address unique psycho-legal issues like incompetence to stand trial (as competent).
- Provide psychological consultation, policy guidance, and staff training that promotes a strong continuity of care and improves the team's ability to work more effectively with youth with challenging and complex behavioral health needs. This includes best practices for positive behavior management and restraint/seclusion reduction.
- For licensed, doctoral-level psychologists, opportunities may be available for clinical supervision of practicum trainees/predoctoral interns/post-doctoral fellows. Preceptor guidance to psychiatric residents/fellows from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) may also be available through Iowa's Public Psychiatry Fellowship program.
- Clinical adjunct faculty appointment with UIHC may be available. This appointment would include access to numerous virtual learning opportunities, like grand rounds, continuing education credits, and online access to numerous clinical databases, journal articles, and electronic books.
- Additional collegial engagement and support opportunities are available through the HHS Clinical Director and coordination with clinical leads across HHS' state-operated facilities. When a long-term team member was asked "why did you choose a career at IMHI," the team member stated, "It really is the work that has kept me here. The work is rewarding. The patients are the most difficult to treat and most expensive. We are the final stop for getting cutting edge psychiatric treatment."
Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.
IMHI provides inpatient treatment and acute psychiatric services, includingindividualized treatment plans and support for children and adolescent patients to continue their education. Individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well. If you enjoy helping people with adult, children and family services, mental health treatment, disabilities services, and long-term care, this is a wonderful opportunity to consider. For more IMHI info:
When a long-term team member was asked "why did you choose a career at IMHI," the team member stated, "It really is the work that has kept me here. The work is rewarding. The patients are the most difficult to treat and most expensive. We are the final stop for getting cutting edge psychiatric treatment."
Benefits of Joining IMHIWorking for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.
- Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
- Paid Time Off: Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation(96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
- Retirement Plans: Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
- Insurance Coverage: Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
- Employee Assistance Program: Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
- Employee Discount Programs: Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.
For additional information on benefits
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Independence HighlightsIMHI is in Independence, Iowa, a city of approximately 6,000, located in scenic Northeast Iowa. The Wapsipinicon River flows through town offering many recreational opportunities from canoeing to fishing. Independence is a progressive community sporting a newer public library, trails, and Cedar Rock state park which includes a Frank Lloyd Wright home.
Independence is 30 minutes from Waterloo/Cedar Falls home of the UNI Panthers, 45 minutes from Cedar Rapids and 1 hour from Iowa City, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Minimum Qualification Requirements Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in psychology, mental health counseling, applied behavior analysis, clinical social work, behavioral sciences, mental health, or a closely-related field.
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Additional Qualification Requirements Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain one or more of the following certificates, licenses, or endorsements:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor (LCADAC)
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Licensed Behavioral Analyst
- Provisional Licensed Psychologist
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Have you graduated from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in psychology, mental health counseling, applied behavior analysis, clinical social work, behavioral sciences, mental health, or a closely-related field?
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