Sports Performance Psychology Professional

Overview

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices.

Summary:

The Sports Psychologist (SPP) is responsible for the implementation of mental health and performance psychology programs, including education and awareness to improve operator mission capabilities, psychological health, and performance. The SPP shall develop, plan, and initiate individualized and group-oriented programs for development and support of peak performance of individual operators and unit teams via various strategies/programs to include, but not limited to interviewing, behavioral assessment, problem solving, Psychoeducation, and goal-driven behavior plans. The contractor shall be available for on-call service hours to advise the commander on support for their squadron members. In the event of a scenario requiring additional on-call service hours, those hours will be deducted from the weekly total.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop, plan, and initiate programs to support all aspects of operator readiness and resilience, to include working with operators and their families.
• Provide professional expertise, consultation, and ensure increased awareness in areas of operational performance, interpersonal enhancement strategies, psychological health optimization, and enhanced coordination of clinical and nonclinical services.
• Develop, plan, and initiate individualized and unit-oriented programs targeting the development of increased psychological capacity to enhance total performance. Programs include goal-driven measures to ensure individual and unit readiness.
• Provide brief, targeted plans to meet training goals, utilizing cognitive and behavior strategies to improve operator mission capabilities.
• Provide short education and skill building on accepted exposure strategies to minimize or mitigate the negative impact of occupational exposures to maximize psychological growth.
• Provide consultation with individual squadron members that allows for private engagement on goal setting, performance plan development to increase capacity, and strategies to maximize unit communication and unit cohesion.
• Activities are not associated with healthcare assessment or treatment and hence will not be part of a healthcare record.
• Documentation of performance plans and service utilization will be kept according to professional ethical standards. Knowledge of conditions/circumstances that rise above the level of the Privacy Act of 1974 will be reported to the unit commander, Reserve Medical Unit, and/or emergency support services. This includes, but is not limited to, imminent harm to self, imminent harm to others, and/or imminent harm to mission.
• Perform regular consultations with operators to guide the development of their performance plans and evaluate the efficacy of optimization strategies.
• The frequency of these sessions will be dependent on the individual operator needs and life circumstances, determined in conjunction with the operator and mutually agreed upon.
• Provide unit command consultation.
• Meet regularly with unit leadership as part of the human performance team to provide consultation on unit performance, resilience, well-being, and overall organizational effectiveness.
• Conduct, administer, and interpret results using psychological assessment tools.
• Conduct baseline and post-event screening and collect/analyze data and monitor trends in psychological health. This will be accomplished in coordination with the existing monthly reported unit-specific Human Performance Program requirements and long-term objectives based on the unit's specific mission requirements.
• Conduct and document analysis of assessment results both individually and collectively for the squadron.
• Results will be presented to command as part of quarterly and annual reports.
• Manage relevant process improvement, program validation, and related research in coordination with the monthly reported unit-specific Human Performance Program requirements and long-term objectives based on the unit's specific mission requirements.
• Provide enhanced coordination and increased access to medical support in healthcare to be accomplished within 2 business days of squadron member's request.
• Function as liaison and coordinate with base and other military psychological professionals.
• Function as liaison and coordinate with other Psychological Healthcare supports across AFRC including other Healthcare Optimization Teams.
• Have a documented plan for suicidal ideation/intent/attempt, significant life events, serious incidents, and casualties, and/or mental health crisis.
• Assist unit leadership in responding to squadron members in crisis and enhance coordination of referrals and coordination of appropriate levels of support and/or healthcare.
• Provide support and awareness of Pre-MEDCON, MEDCON, and LOD processes to service members as necessary.
• Assist with navigating support and care at the appropriate level including nonclinical, spiritual, and medical levels of care from sources in the civilian economy, military community, and/or within the Veterans Administration.
• Provide follow-up awareness and support in above-listed situations or other circumstances as appropriate.
• Consult with medical personnel, legal authorities, and military commands as appropriate.
• Shall be capable of meeting physical demands of training with SOF including the ability to hike over rough terrain and function in austere environments to observe SOF training evolutions, assist with strength and conditioning testing and training protocols, and lift and manipulate loads or weights up to 20 kilograms.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of professional standards and ethics regarding the delivery of psychological services including performance psychology.
• Strong understanding of psychological principles as they apply to sports performance and athlete well-being.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with athletes and coaching staff.
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, problem-solving, and emotional regulation techniques.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Sport/Performance Psychology from an accredited educational institution. Alternative degrees considered: master's degree in psychology/counseling, master's degree in social work, master's degree in industrial/organizational psychology.
• Education and training in clinical/counseling psychology to include knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse conditions, post-traumatic stress, suicide intervention, mood and anxiety conditions, and family/marital issues.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
• Minimum of three years of working experience with individuals/groups of elite athletes at NCAA Division I Collegiate, Olympic, professional sports, and/or Special Operations/AFSPECWAR military members. Prior experience working with multidisciplinary teams providing human performance and healthcare services required.
• Possess and maintain license and/or certification in accordance with education and training.
• Shall maintain organizational memberships in accordance with scope of practice.
• Must be a member in good standing with AASP, American Psychological Association (APA) Division 47 and/or Division 19, and/or other Professional organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree preferred.
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) from Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
• Preferred licenses include:
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).
• Licensed Psychologist.
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW).

Pay and Benefits:

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.