JOB TITLE: PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES SPECIALIST, DOC

JOB CODE: 42990

DEFINITION: This is professional psychological services work in a state correctional facility.

An employee in this job applies psychological principles, practices, and techniques to assist incarcerated individuals in achieving correctional diagnostic, classification, and treatment goals. Work involves conducting psychological interviews and evaluations, selecting therapeutic techniques and methods, providing individual and group counseling and therapy, developing and implementing psychological treatment plans and strategies, and serving as a member of institutional multi-disciplinary treatment committees. Work may also involve selecting, administering, and interpreting psychological tests. Work is performed under the general supervision of a licensed psychologist or administrative supervisor and is evaluated through clinical supervision and administrative review for effectiveness, adherence to established psychological practices and standards, and achievement of treatment and rehabilitation program goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Selects, administers, and interprets psychological tests designed to measure such factors as personality, intelligence, achievement, aptitude, and interest under supervision of a licensed psychologist.

• Selects therapeutic techniques and methods to conduct individual and group behavioral counseling and therapy in consultation with the clinical supervisor.

• Provides individual and group counseling, treatment, and therapy to incarcerated individuals.

• Completes suicide risk assessments, when clinically indicated, for the purpose of determining the most appropriate clinical actions to ensure the safety of incarcerated individuals.

• Conducts evaluations and interviews to prepare psychological reports and make recommendations for treatment programming.

• Participates in diagnostic and evaluative staff meetings to discuss the diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and disposition of incarcerated individuals.

• Prepares individual treatment plans or behavior modification plans for the review and approval of a licensed psychologist.

• Engages in both individual clinical and group observation in accordance with policy or at the direction of the clinical supervisor.

• Serves as a member of multi-disciplinary institutional committees for patient treatment plan purposes.

• Provides sex offender programming.

• Serves as Institutional Mental Health Coordinator by coordinating and consulting with other institutional departments, agencies, and state mental health facilities to facilitate the delivery of direct psychological care as directed by the supervisor.

• Participates in research studies designed to maximize the effectiveness of a psychological services program at a state correctional facility.

• Provides testimony or depositions for court cases requiring information on psychological services.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices of psychology.

• Knowledge of psychological testing administration, techniques, and interpretation.

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

• Knowledge of mental diseases, their treatment strategies, and their social implications.

• Knowledge of psychological techniques employed in the modification and management of human behavior.

• Knowledge of clinical interviewing techniques.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• A master’s degree in psychology or a closely related field that includes fifteen graduate level credits in psychology or counseling.