04/12/1994 43060

LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST DIRECTOR

DEFINITION: This is highly responsible professional and administrative work in the field of psychology.

An employee in this class plans, organizes and directs a total psychological services program at a state mental health facility or at the agency level of the Department of Corrections. Work includes directing the overall psychological services program including the development of policies and procedures and the
evaluation of existing psychology programs. Supervision is exercised over a staff of licensed and professional personnel. Work is performed under the general
direction of a program administrator and is reviewed for conformance to accepted psychological principles, practices and techniques, and facility and
departmental policies through conferences, reports, and evaluations of program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes and directs a total psychological services program at a state mental health facility, or the agency-wide program for the Department of Corrections.

Coordinates the psychological services program with other disciplines and integrates new policies and procedures into existing programs.

Conducts and ensures psychologist participation in diagnostic and evaluative staff meetings to discuss the diagnosis, etiology, treatment and disposition of patients/clients/inmates.

Consults with psychiatrists, physicians and other professional personnel concerning diagnostic, evaluation and therapeutic training programs.

Plans, conducts and evaluates seminars, inservice and outservice professional training programs.

Ensures the psychological services are performed in accordance with nationally accepted professional, ethical, and accrediting standards.

Establishes the clinical competencies and privileges of psychologists and recommends same to the facility's S.R.S. Director, Clinical Director or other appropriate accrediting authority.

Plans and conducts peer review, quality assurance, cost benefit and utilization review studies annually for the psychological services program.

Prepares reports on progress of the program and makes recommendations for improvement.

Assigns and reviews the work of subordinate staff and evaluates their performance.

Prepares annual psychological services program goals, objectives, capital improvements, staffing and projected programmatic services Plans for facility
planning and budgetary purposes.

Develops policies and procedures regarding psychological services.

Testifies as an expert witness in legal proceedings regarding patients/clients/inmates.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and methods of psychology including statistical measurement of individuals and groups, diagnostic evaluation, therapy, and the relationships between diagnostic findings and therapeutic methodologies.

Knowledge of the application of psychology to individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of mental illnesses and disabilities, their symptoms, treatment and social implications.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of psychological research and experimental design as applied to the field of psychology.

Knowledge of the standards and ethical principles of the practice of professional psychology.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of administration and supervision.

Ability to supervise licensed professional staff in the administration of a psychological services program.

Ability to interpret and evaluate varied psychological data, prepare reports of findings, and develop and implement recommendations.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients/clients/inmates, departmental and facility personnel, and the general public.

Ability to plan, develop, organize, implement and promote psychological services programs.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year as a Licensed Psychologist Manager;

                                                                                                                                                                              or

Two years as a Licensed Psychologist, MH or a Psychologist one year of which must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

                                                                                                                                                                              or

Two years of experience as a licensed professional psychologist in the treatment of inmates or individuals with mental illness and/or mental retardation, one year
of which must have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a current license to practice psychology as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of psychology or possession of a current license to practice psychology as issued by another state with licensure requirements acceptable to the Board. [Pennsylvania licensure must be obtained within one year of employment]