Psychologist

Who we are:

At the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), we strive to exemplify The Heart of Hopefor individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use disorders.

We proudly employ over 2,800 dedicated employees across our six inpatient behavioral health hospitals, Ohio Pharmacy Services, Ohio’s prison systems, and the central office located in the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus, OH.

DBH Values:

• Service-Oriented (Person Centered, Solution Oriented, Customer Service Focused)
• Collaborative (Approachable, Reasonable, Transparent)
• Value Driven
• Innovative (Yes Before No)
• Strong Sense of Urgency

Our team of highly qualified professionals advances a critical system of behavioral healthcare in Ohio that helps people be well, get well, and stay well. Join our collaborative, service-oriented environment, where you will be respected and valued

The Ohio Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is proud to be an Ohio Recovery Friendly Workplace, committed to supporting the health and well-being of all employees, including those in recovery. We foster an inclusive, stigma-free environment where individuals impacted by mental health and substance use challenges are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our workplace culture promotes wellness, second-chance hiring, and recovery-informed policies that reflect our mission to serve Ohioans with compassion and respect, both in the community and within our own team

Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.

What you’ll do at DBH

Psychological Assessment & Evaluation

• Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations, including cognitive, personality, diagnostic, and risk assessments.
• Administer, score, interpret, and document psychological testing results.
• Perform forensic evaluations, including competency-to-stand-trial and mental state assessments.
• Develop risk assessments and risk management plans for justice-involved individuals.

Therapeutic Services & Patient Care

• Provide individual psychotherapy, group therapy, behavioral interventions, and psychosocial rehabilitation services.
• Deliver trauma-informed and patient-centered care to support recovery and treatment goals.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans.
• Facilitate therapeutic groups and evidence-based interventions designed to improve patient outcomes.

Forensic Psychology Services

• Complete court-ordered forensic assessments and evaluations.
• Provide expert consultation and testimony regarding forensic findings when required.
• Support the treatment and assessment needs of a justice-involved patient population.

Treatment Team Collaboration

• Serve as a key member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
• Provide psychological consultation and recommendations to support treatment planning and clinical decision-making.

Program Development & Quality Improvement

• Develop and implement programs that promote patient recovery and rehabilitation.
• Participate in hospital initiatives focused on improving patient care, treatment effectiveness, and clinical outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts and best practices in psychological services.

Professional Leadership & Engagement

• Attend and actively participate in meetings, committees, and workgroups.
• Maintain professional standards and documentation in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.

• Engage in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance clinical and forensic psychology skills.

Our regional hospitals have a high percentage of justice-involved patients. Psychologists will work in the specialized areas of clinical and forensic psychology. Psychologists serve an essential role in assessing and treating patients in The Department of Behavioral Health Regional Psychiatric Hospitals. They provide trauma-focused and patient-centered care, forensic evaluations including competency to stand trial and mental status at the time of offense, and collaboration and consultation with multidisciplinary treatment teams. Skills related to the forensic sub-specialty will be supported with training and mentorship if limited upon hire. Strong clinical skills are essential. Psychologists conduct psychological evaluations, including cognitive, personality, and risk assessments, diagnose mental health conditions, develop and implement treatment plans and provide clinical interventions such as individual and group therapy. Psychologists may also conduct court ordered forensic assessments, provide testimony, consultation, and supervision.

Psychologists will also contribute to hospital initiatives aimed at improving patient care and treatment outcomes, as well as working closely with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and other team members to coordinate patient care within the regional psychiatric hospital.

This is an hourly position covered by the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of 15 on the Ohio Health Care SEIU/1199 Pay Range Schedule Day, afternoon and evening shifts available, weekend and holiday rotations. This position is located within our Summit Behavioral Healthcare location, located at 1101 Summit Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237.

Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin atStep 1of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.

Additional Salary / Appointment Information:

Longevity supplement after 5 years of service.

The reasons given by psychologists who work in state psychiatric hospitals include:

• Personal and professional growth
• Advocating for patients
• Working with complex psychiatric challenges
• Untangling psycho-legal questions
• Ample continuing educational opportunities
• Presenting at professional conferences/workshops
• Mentoring upcoming psychologists through practicums and post-doctoral programs

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Position Qualifications:

License to practice psychology as issued by Ohio State Board of Psychology per Section 4732.12 or 4732.15 (A) of Ohio Revised Code.

Primary Skill: Psychology
Technical Skills: Forensic, Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Counseling and Rehabilitation
Professional Skills: Collaboration, Establishing Relationships, Listening, Teamwork, Time Management, Observation

Required Educational Transcripts

Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants mustsubmit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.

Application Procedures

To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.

Background Check Notice

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at andrew.seifert@dbh.ohio.gov or 614-466-8884.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.