Psychologist
Full time - Albany, NY
The Sleep Lab Psychologist is responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and treating psychological and behavioral issues related to sleep disorders. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the psychologist plays a crucial role in assessing patients with various sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep apnea-related psychological factors. The psychologist utilizes evidence-based therapies and interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), to improve patients' sleep quality and overall mental health.
Key Responsibilities
- Clinical Assessment: Conduct psychological assessments, including clinical interviews, sleep questionnaires, and when appropriate, diagnostic tests, to evaluate sleep disorders and related mental health issues.
- Behavioral Interventions: Provide individual therapy using evidence-based treatments such as CBT-I, mindfulness-based techniques, and relaxation training to help patients manage sleep disorders.
- Collaboration: Work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with sleep physicians and advanced practitioners, to create integrated treatment plans for patients.
- Patient Education: Educate patients and their families about sleep hygiene, behavioral changes, and coping strategies to manage sleep disturbances or PAP intolerance.
- Data Analysis: Review and interpret data from polysomnography, actigraphy, and other diagnostic tools to inform psychological treatment strategies.
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and confidential patient records in compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.
- Training: Provide education and training on behavioral sleep medicine to staff, students, and community outreach programs as applicable.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Education: Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Licensure: Current and valid licensure as a Psychologist in New York
- Experience: Experience in clinical psychology with a focus on sleep disorders or behavioral medicine preferred. Familiarity with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and other evidence-based interventions for sleep disorders.
- Skills: Strong clinical assessment and diagnostic skills, ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proficiency in data interpretation and report writing.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certification or formal training in Behavioral Sleep Medicine.
- Experience evaluating sleep studies and working with polysomnographic data.
Working Conditions
- Work is primarily conducted in a clinical sleep lab environment.