PSYCHOLOGIST 3                                                 L0767

Definition:

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

An employee in this class plans, organizes and directs a total psychological services program. 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 professional and technical 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.

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

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

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

Plans, conducts and evaluates seminars, in-service, and out-service professional training programs.

Ensures the psychological services are performed in accord 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 service plans and budget for the facility psychological services program.

Develops policies and procedures regarding psychological services.

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

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, psychotherapy, 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 professional and technical 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, departmental and facility personnel, and the general public.

Ability to develop, plan, organize, implement, and promote a facility wide psychological services program.

Minimum Experience and Training:

Two years as a Psychologist 2;

or

Six years of post-doctoral experience in a clinical, applied, or behavioral field of psychological services, including two years in a supervisory capacity; and a doctoral degree in a clinical, applied, or behaviorally oriented field of psychology including a clinical internship or one year of clinical, applied, or behavioral experience under the supervision of a doctoral level psychologist.</span></p>

Necessary Special Requirement:

Possession of a current license to practice psychology as issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychologist Examiners 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.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Applicants for positions in Mental Health facilities must meet the current guidelines for defining a doctoral degree in psychology as developed and published by the Council for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.

Date Established or Last Revised

Class Specification - 1986

Evaluation Guide - 1995

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST10