Bariatric and Metabolic Consultant Surgeon

Reporting to the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program Director and/or surgeons, the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Behavioral Health Provider provides psychological consultation, support, counseling and intervention to bariatric patients and their significant others through evaluation of psychological well-being, in accordance with the stated philosophy and objectives of the Psychology Department.

The Behavioral Health Provider is accountable for the safety of the care they deliver.

Job Functions:
▪ Assures the safety of the patient population served by demonstrating age-appropriate skills in assessing, implementing and evaluating plans of care.

▪ Performs psychological evaluation for the preoperative metabolic and bariatric surgery patient and provides a formal written evaluation and interpretation of data (i.e. DIET inventory and Psychological questionnaire) as to the patient’s readiness and ability to make an informed decision regarding surgery.

▪ Participates in the weekly Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Team meeting to discuss challenging patients, office dynamics, and/or seek supervision on cases. ▪ Participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans for psychiatric care for the patient and their family, including but not limited to, smoking cessation, addiction treatment, eating disorder monitoring, etc

▪ Participates in post-surgical inpatient rounds on a weekly basis, utilizing here and now methods to create/utilize action based/problem solving techniques around anticipated issues that may arise after leaving the hospital.

▪ Maintains contact with individual’s psychologist/psychiatrist/therapist, if applicable, to provide education to providers about anticipated psychological changes post surgery and to maintain collaborative efforts with recommended treatment plan.

▪ Provides psychological support to postoperative metabolic and bariatric surgery patients surrounding psychosocial issues/stressors. Addresses psychopathology, body image, selfesteem, social support quality of life, marital adjustment, and sexual functioning. Postsurgical follow-up required at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year with any additional support provided as deemed necessary and/or needed.

▪ Provides couples therapy when necessary. Patients will be given the chance to learn about couple therapy and will have the opportunity to benefit from a systems perspective on how their psychopathology relates to their current weight and disordered eating. Psycho education may also be provided to the spouse/partner of the patient that involves explanation of the emotional and physical changes that their spouse may experience after the surgery.

Job Functions:
▪ Attends appropriate in-service and continuing education training program(s) for hospital staff, commensurate with job responsibilities.

▪ Participates in the monthly information sessions. ▪ Participates in unit projects, which seek to improve patient care.

▪ Communicates findings to interdisciplinary team and others as appropriate.

▪ Participates and leads various group meetings, including but not limited to support group, emotional eating, and body image groups. The CBT focused groups may change periodically to address the many issues/topics that may be addressed in a group format, along with patient’s having the opportunity to benefit from the group process as a whole.

▪ Administrative responsibilities including keeping informed of current Bariatric research, attending seminars, data entry for future research studies, and professional development.

▪ Participates in continuing education and/or other appropriate activities to maintain current licensure.

▪ Other duties as assigned from time to time.

**Salary**: ﷼55,000.00 - ﷼65,000.00 per month