ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and Severe Malnutrition Psychologist

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Department

Department

Pav M - Acute Eating Disorder

ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders & Severe Malnutrition (3M) is the world’s only Center of Excellence for the treatment of patients with extreme medical complications resulting from eating disorders and severe malnutrition. Nurses in the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders play a vital role on the multidisciplinary team providing comprehensive and collaborative care to this patient population.

The ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders is a 30-bed unit with a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:5. CNAs and behavioral healthcare techs provide 1:1 care and supervision for every patient. This unique population requires both medical and behavioral interventions.

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the psychologist provides doctoral level integrated behavioral health services and functions as a key member of the primary care medical team. Services will be provided at the ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders and severe malnutrition with a focus on eating disorders , malnutrition, and other related issues. Services include expert diagnostic assessment and evidence-based treatment for feeding and eating disorders, as well as comorbid psychiatric disorders. The psychologist strives to create a positive customer service experience by committing to highest standards set forth by Denver Health. The psychologist provides therapy services, consultation, and functions as a part of a large multidisciplinary team. The psychologist is actively involved in quality improvement, data monitoring, and research projects. Participates in supervision and teaching for the pre-doctoral psychology internship and provides supervision to psychology residents and practicum students as needed.

Essential Functions:

• Provide high quality clinical services to individuals inpatient for medical stabilization for an eating disorder and/or severe malnutrition, including short-term evidence-based behavioral health interventions, motivational interviewing, and specialist supportive psychotherapy. (20%)
• Provide services that are appropriate to the age and developmental level of the patient. (10%)
• Consult with providers as part of the interdisciplinary team and generate recommendations, referrals, and case management as needed. (10%)
• Conduct brief diagnostic screening of patients using evidence-based assessments and screening tools. (5%)
• Conduct safety and risk assessment as needed. (5%)
• Generate documentation of assessment and intervention in the medical record in a timely manner. (10%)
• Actively participate in regular team meetings and huddles of the ACUTE interdisciplinary team. (15%)
• Participate in ACUTE meetings to maintain cohesion and improve awareness of department functioning. (5%)
• Participate in teaching and didactics as part of the training faculty of the Division of Psychology for psychology pre-doctoral residents and practicum students. (5%)
• Provide teaching and presentation of relevant topics to the ACUTE staff. (5%)
• Provide teaching and presentation of relevant topics to the medical residents and training programs within Denver Health and University of Colorado. (5%)
• Participate in academic efforts in research and professional writing. (5%)

Education:

• Doctorate Degree in psychology from an accredited school Required

Work Experience:

• 1-3 years One year of postdoctoral experience Required

Licenses:

• PSY-Licensed Psychologist - State Board of Psychologist Examiners Required and
• BLS-Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) - AHA - American Heart Association or American Red Cross Required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge and skills in effective psychological practice in primary care medical settings, including evidence-based, brief therapy modalities, crisis intervention, and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of patient populations’ cultural, religious, ethnic, and social systems in interactions, care planning, and education.
• Knowledge of medical terms, abbreviations, diagnoses, treatment, and prognosis.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and motivation to work as part of a dynamic interdisciplinary team in a medical setting.
• Skill in providing care appropriate to the age of the patients served within the clinic setting.
• Skill in establishing a therapeutic alliance and engaging the patient in collaborative goal setting and prioritizing patient needs as part of the care team in the primary care clinic setting.
• Ability to participate as a faculty member with the Division of Medicine and provide teaching and supervision as needed for the psychology internship training program through the Department of Psychiatry.
• Ability to respond to feedback and incorporate it into practice.
• Ability to manage the therapeutic relationship including triaging patient to specialty mental health services and termination.
• Ability to respond to trauma or psychiatric emergency including writing involuntary mental health holds.
• Microsoft Office skills required.
• Knowledge of electronic health record preferred.

Shift

Work Type

Salary

Benefits

At Denver Health, we take care of the people who take care of our community. Our benefits are built to support your life, your family, and your future — with generous paid time off, fully paid parental leave, exceptional retirement contributions, comprehensive health coverage, and nationally recognized well-being programs. We invest in your growth through tuition assistance, career advancement pathways, and professional development — while also offering meaningful financial advantages through loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions. When you join Denver Health, you’re joining a mission-driven organization that invests in you.

Here is a small list of our benefit programs:

• Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, inclusive of vacation, personal/sick, and 7 Holidays
• 100% paid parental leave up to 6 weeks
• Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution up to 9.5%
• Generous medical, dental, vision plans in addition to employer paid disability and life insurance.
• Comprehensive well-being programs including on-site employee fitness center located on Denver Health main campus and nationally recognized RESTORE Center
• Free RTD EcoPass (public transportation)
• Childcare discount programs & exclusive perks on large brands, travel, and more
• Tuition reimbursement & assistance
• Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center (WFDC) that support internal career growth and advancement pathways
• Professional clinical advancement program & shared governance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer+ free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the PSLF program
• National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligible employer

About Denver Health

Denver Health is an integrated, high-quality academic healthcare system considered a model for the nation that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a 555-bed acute care medical center, Denver’s 911 emergency medical response system, 10 family health centers, 19 school-based health centers, Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety, the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, Denver Health Medical Plan and Denver Health Foundation.

As Colorado’s primary, and essential, safety-net healthcare system, Denver Health is a mission-driven organization that has provided millions in uncompensated care for the uninsured each year.

Located near downtown Denver, Denver Health is just minutes away from many of the cultural and recreational activities Denver has to offer.

Denver Health is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We value the unique ideas, talents and contributions reflective of the needs of our community. All job applicants for safety-sensitive positions must pass a pre-employment drug test, once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled.