Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00001842	Description Activated On: 11/24/2025 1:11:16 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This is a professionally trained position that is responsible for the management and supervision of psychological services. Independent judgment is required in planning, directing, controlling and implementing a program suitable to the emotional and physical needs of the patients. Each program must be organized around the interests and mental abilities of individual patients. All psychological services must be in compliance with the requirements of Department of Health, Medicare and Medical Assistance.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to provide services appropriate to the age of consumers comprising the hospital population. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth/development over the life span, interpret the appropriate information needed to identify requirements relative to age-specific needs and ensure suitable programming/interventions/services are provided. Work effectively in cross-cultural situations as evidenced by demonstrated ability to value diversity, understand the dynamics of differences, and incorporate knowledge about culture into the adaptation of programming/interventions/services as appropriate. Maintains diplomate status as lead of the Co-occurring program for those with mental illness and substance abuse diagnoses.
Specific Duties Include: Plans, organizes, and directs work within the department by developing annual department goals, creating, and prioritizing studies/projects and assigning, reviewing and evaluating subordinate work efforts in order to ensure the delivery of psychological services.
Serves as an alternate agent responsible for evaluating/assessing/responding to referrals from any units within the hospital.
Performs psychological testing requiring a significant level of expertise to facilitate diagnostic clarification and/or treatment planning. Specifically, establishes a monitor of testing completion for all admitted individuals with a diagnosis of ID(Intellectual Disability) as per current guidelines.
Controls department personnel by reviewing performance, interviewing, hiring, and terminating in order that the productivity of the work force is maintained.
Monitors departmental activity by using predetermined criteria/standards to assess the effectiveness of service delivery/performance.
Stimulates and facilitates the development of subordinates by counseling, motivating, problem-solving, training, and guiding to maximize the productivity and improve the morale of each member of the staff.
Maximizes departmental participation in the Medicare Part B Program without compromising the standards and principles of Professional Psychology.
Provides subordinates with clear and specific expectations by establishing annual goals, objectives, and performance factors in order to enhance the probability of worker effectiveness.
Serves as liaison between the hospital and the Adult Basic Education Program, RACC and the Conrad Weiser education entitlement programs.
This employee has been assigned responsibility as a Patient Abuse Investigator at Wernersville State Hospital. As such, the employee is expected to participate in all required training and, as assigned, conduct, and carry out investigations in a professional and timely manner. Investigations will be carried out in a manner consistent with DHS Manual Section 7178 and Hospital Policy. While performing patient abuse investigations, the employee will be responsible to report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
Follows current DHS guidelines for monitoring and controlling overtime usage including:
a. A pre-approved process and documentation of overtime usage (WSH Overtime Report).
b. Time and attendance management.
c. All operationally necessary work assignments shall, whenever possible, be performed within the regular shift.
Follows current DHS guidelines for best scheduling practices that will ensure staffing minimums while controlling overtime including the use of part time, wage, annuitants, seasonal employees, flex hours, and alternate work schedules.
Assures that EPRs for the department are submitted on time, meeting all guidelines of HR-600 or subsequent policy directives addressing EPR submission.
Assures appropriate coverage staffing for the Psychology Department as directed and provides Department and SRS coverage as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

The Licensed Psychologist Director, M/H has the overall responsibility for the operations of the Department of Psychology. A broad base of decision-making, effecting departmental implementation of hospital policy and professional standards of service, is, therefore, an essential function of this position.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Psychologist

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.

5.

6.

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Applies principles of psychology and plans/develops psychological program.
2.	Establishes working relationships and works effectively with people.
3.	Analyzes/interprets rules, regulations/standards.
4.	Develops policies/procedures.
5.	Communicates clearly verbally/in writing.
6.	Travels as needed.
7.	Supervises effectiveness of staff in the psychology department.
8.	Work overtime as required; Subject to emergency call in.
9.	Read, write and communicates orally in English.
10.	Obtains and maintains Crisis Intervention and CPR certification, and appropriately utilizes skills.