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Psychologist 3


The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.


Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health


About the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH)

The Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) leads Louisiana’s efforts to improve the lives of individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Through statewide partnerships, program oversight, and direct services, OBH supports a comprehensive, integrated system of care serving both Medicaid and non-Medicaid populations.


About the Position

Make a direct impact on behavioral health outcomes across Louisiana communities. Join a mission-driven team addressing critical mental health needs across the state.


Up to 10% pay increase upon attainment of permanent status for eligible hires


This position serves within the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) Medical Director’s Office and provides leadership over Louisiana’s statewide forensic and inpatient behavioral health systems, including oversight of East Louisiana Mental Health System and Central Louisiana State Hospital, as well as partner facilities.

The role drives key statewide initiatives. It ensures compliance with federal requirements, overseeing programs such as juvenile competency restoration and civil commitment processes, and monitoring clinical quality, safety, and patient placement across inpatient systems. The position also collaborates with multiple agencies and stakeholders to support a coordinated, effective system of care.


The ideal candidate is a licensed psychologist with experience in state-level behavioral health hospital systems, including forensic and 24-hour facility settings, and a strong interest in forensic and inpatient behavioral health. This role is well-suited for someone who is comfortable working within complex systems and collaborating across clinical, legal, and programmatic environments.

Requirements

Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice psychology followed by one year of experience in psychological research, testing, or counseling.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.Job Duties:

This position focuses on program oversight, coordination, and system-level impact and does not involve the provision of direct clinical services.


  • Provides statewide leadership and oversight of forensic and inpatient behavioral health programs, ensuring quality, compliance, and effective service delivery across multiple facilities. 
  • Serves as Divisional Supervisory Monitor for contracted hospitals, including East Louisiana Mental Health System and Central Louisiana State Hospital, overseeing continued stay approvals, clinical quality, and operational performance. 
  • Leads complex case coordination for individuals with significant behavioral health needs, ensuring appropriate placement and access to care across Louisiana’s inpatient system. 
  • Functions as a subject matter expert on judicial commitments, forensic services, and complex psychiatric cases, advising leadership, legal teams, and external stakeholders. 
  • Reviews and evaluates judicial commitment petitions statewide, providing clinical guidance and recommendations to support appropriate patient placement and legal action. 
  • Directs the statewide 648(b) civil commitment evaluation process, including oversight of court-ordered evaluations, physician coordination, and compliance with legal timelines and requirements. 
  • Manages Louisiana’s juvenile competency restoration program, providing supervision, training oversight, and coordination of services across multiple regions and provider networks. 
  • Collaborates with state agencies, local governing entities (LGEs), legal partners, and courts to resolve complex cases and improve coordination across behavioral health and justice systems. 
  • Analyzes legislation, develops policy recommendations, and contributes to program 
  • Represents OBH in meetings, legislative discussions, and interagency initiatives, while supporting contracts, grants, and special projects that expand and improve behavioral health services.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Behavioral Health / Headquarters-Medical Director / Statewide

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary appointment, Promotional appointment, Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months), or Detail to Special Duty 

Cost Center: 3301010102

Position Number(s): 50417940

Compensation: Eligible hires may receive up to a 10% pay increase upon attainment of permanent status.  


How To Apply

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.


To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. 


* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.


For information on how to check your application status and understand status updates, please click HERE.


Contact Information:

Casey Hickman

Casey.Hickman@la.gov

LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA 70821

225-342-6477


This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218. 


LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. 


Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.


LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.

Date Posted
04/24/2026
Job Reference
OBH/CSH/220362
Organization
LDH-Office of Behavioral Health
Location
Statewide, LA
Category
Mental Health/Social Services
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