Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  00061515

Description Activated On:  3/3/2026 2:36:05 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. 

 Provides direct service care to patients on assigned unit(s), offering the highest quality of treatment and therapeutic learning opportunities to enhance the quality of patients' lives and support individuals in the process of their recovery.

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.

Under the direction of a licensed psychology director and/or psychology manager/supervisor, performs a variety of clinical duties as a Psychological Services Specialist (PSS), Mental Health. PSS provides services under supervision such as individual and group therapy, and psychological assessments as assigned. Serves as a member of the treatment team. Works with patients depending on the current assignment. Works with director to assess the needs of patients on assigned unit(s), and:
1. Plans, develops and conducts group therapy programs that occur at least several times per week based on the unit program schedule and patients' needs.
2. Conducts individual therapy based on identification of patient need and/or referral from treatment team. Utilize evidence-based approaches in treatment.
3. Participate in the multi-disciplinary treatment team meeting, assisting in the development of the Individual Comprehensive Treatment and Recovery Plan. Will adhere to NSH treatment plan policy and psychology department and regulatory body standards.
4. Doctoral level staff will complete psychological testing based upon referral. Will select, administer, score and interpret tests and complete the report under the direct supervision of the licensed psychologist director or supervisor.
5. Performs all job duties in compliance with Department of Psychology and Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (PI) standards.
6. Maintains records such as weekly/monthly progress notes and initial/annual assessments according to NSH and Psychology department standards.
7. Participates in professional training by attending or conducting CE programs or in-services in order to maintain professional competence.
8. Participates in the development of behavioral plans as indicated.
9. Communicates/contributes psychological information regarding patient care (i.e., case conceptualizations, identification of treatment needs, recommendations for interventions, etc.) to inform the patient's treatment care plan.
10. Assists team members with crisis intervention when indicated, using Mandt training as well as clinical skills in crisis prevention and de-escalation.
11. Maintains active engagement in departmental activities such as department meetings at least once per month, departmental trainings, participating in any voluntary committees or workgroups.
12. Demonstrates cultural competence--an awareness to one's own culture and respect for the clients' culture, world view and belief system in order to enhance trust in the clinician and improve treatment.
13. Complete departmental and annual hospital trainings.
14. Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned. Purpose and standards will be given at the time of each assignment.
15. Ability to complete documentation in Electronic Health Records system.

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.

Addresses and resolves routine unit problems directly, as they arise. Problems that have potential for wider impact (e.g., those that involve other disciplines) are addressed in consultation with the psychology manager or director.

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.   N/A
 
2.   N/A
 
3.   N/A
 
4.   N/A
 
5.   N/A
 
6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
 
 1. Individual therapy
 2. Group therapy
 3. Provides treatment and intervention recommendations based upon assessment and observation of the individual patient
 4. Doctoral level staff--conduct psychological testing as needed based upon referral
 5. Functions as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team
 6. Maintain quality documentation in accordance with hospital and regulatory body standards
 7. Complete required annual trainings (i.e., Mandt crisis prevention, CPR certification, Infection Control, Safety, etc.)
 8. Able to ambulate independently on patient care areas without use of assistive mobility device (i.e., walker, wheelchair, cane, etc.)
 9. Mobility from office to unit on a daily basis and to other buildings as needed
 10.