Contract Psychologist, Community Transition Team - Correctional Health Services

Contract Psychologist Opportunities with Correctional Health Services

Come work with the BCMHSUS Community Transition Teams (CTT) be a part of providing comprehensive care coordination and peer support to ensure seamless transitions for clients after release from provincial custody. The teams support clients with substance use disorders, as well as complex mental health and/or substance use needs.

We:

• Reduce overdose deaths
• Enhance health outcomes
• Reduce harms associated with repeat involvement with the criminal justice system

There are 10 teams located across the province. The Provincial Community Transition Team Hub (the Hub) is located in the Lower Mainland. It provides coordination and standardization across the regional teams. The Hub also supports quality improvement activities as well as education and training for CTT staff.

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BCMHSUS is seeking a Psychologist to join the Community Transition Teams and support individuals during their critical transition from BC Correctional Centres to community living. Psychologists play an essential role in delivering trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care by providing psychological assessments, interventions, and risk evaluations for clients with complex mental health and substance use needs.

As a key member of the CTT’s multidisciplinary team, the Psychologist contributes their clinical expertise to guide care planning, promote client stabilization, and support reintegration. Working in collaboration with nurses, social workers, Indigenous Patient Navigators, peer support workers, and community partners, the Psychologist helps bridge service gaps between correctional facilities and community-based care, contributing to safer transitions and improved health outcomes.

Located throughout the province, CTT teams are linked to each BC provincial correctional centre. Psychologists within this model work virtually providing flexible and responsive care that reflects the unique risks, strengths, and needs of this underserved population.

We welcome skilled clinicians with a commitment to forensic mental health, social justice, and culturally safe care to join the CTT program and make a meaningful impact on the lives of people reintegrating into their communities.

Role Review

As a CTT Contract Psychologist, you will play a key role in supporting the mental wellness and risk stabilization of individuals during their reintegration. The primary mode of service provision for this role is via virtual health care and includes options for remote work.

Depending on the clinical needs and region, your responsibilities may include:

• Conduct psychological assessments for individuals transitioning from correctional facilities or inpatient psychiatric services to community-based placements through Community Transition Teams.
• Provide evidence-based and trauma-informed psychological interventions for clients with complex forensic psychiatric presentations; or individuals currently incarcerated within a provincial correctional facility, or recently released from custody who are reintegrating into the community with support from the Community Transition Teams program.
• Conduct violence and suicide risk assessments to inform care planning, ensure safety, and support continuity of services across justice and health care systems.
• Serve as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team and provide consultation to various stakeholders including other care providers, family members, community partners, social service providers, probation officers, and Indigenous supports.
• Provide structured, evidence-based individual treatment, as well as intake, risk, and outcome assessments, for clients with complex needs—many of whom experience overlapping challenges such as substance use, trauma histories, and housing insecurity.
• Provide psychological services via virtual health technology
• Documenting care in alignment with BCMHSUS protocols, using clinical judgment to support safe and ethical decision-making for this vulnerable population.
• Provide staff education sessions during Community of Care (CoC) meetings when needed, on relevant clinical topics such as moral distress, suicide risk management, trauma-informed care, and other emerging issues.
• Contribute clinical expertise to CTT program development initiatives and joining working groups
• Attend and actively participate in scheduled interdisciplinary meetings, including, CTT Community of Care, Social Worker’s Community of Care, and other regional or program meetings as required to support collaboration and continuous quality improvement.

Qualifications

You have:

• Practicing clinical registration with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia.
• Minimum One (1) year of direct clinical experience performing diagnostic assessment and treatment of adults in a correctional or forensic mental health settings including psychological assessment, violence and suicide risk assessment, evidence-based clinical interventions, and trauma informed practice.
• Commitment to culturally safe, client-centred care.

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) which provides specialized health to British Columbians. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Patients first – Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate - Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose. Learn more about PHSA and BCMHSUS here: http://www.phsa.ca/our-services/programs-services/bc-mental-health-substance-use-services

We hire on the basis of merit and encourage all qualified applicants to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds and experiences. We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can come to work and be their best, authentic self.

We invite you to apply now with your resume and cover letter directly to Dr. Martin Zakrzewski, R.Psych at Martin.Zakrzewski@phsa.ca