Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00114806	Description Activated On: 1/20/2026 12:39:02 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.

Function:
The employee occupying this position is assigned to serve individuals in all areas of Danville State Hospital. The employee provides Psychological Services for mentally ill individuals under direct supervision of the Licensed Psychologist Director.

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.

Provides Psychological Treatment: Assures all individuals are offered / provided the opportunity to engage in and benefit from Psychological Services. Collaborates with individuals to identify and change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. Implements evidence-based interventions tailored to the individual or group. Educates individuals about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and self-care practices, enhancing individuals’ understanding of their experiences. Monitors progress to assess intervention effectiveness, providing feedback to the individual. Assures continuity of care by stepping in to cover groups for other psychology staff through prearrangement or by request. Avails self to individuals outside of scheduled, routine programs at clinically critical times to provide best practices for individuals' care and safety. Provides support for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises and assesses risk for dangerous behaviors. Assists with off-campus trips and hospital wide alternate programming. Ensures that services provided meet CMS / DOH guidelines, and DSH policies / procedures.

Assessment and evaluation: Conducts thorough assessments to understand Individuals’ psychological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral concerns by gathering relevant information about personal histories and current life circumstances using all available means. Performs and documents psychological assessments /tests under the guidance of licensed supervisor. Assesses treatment efficacy through metrics and individual feedback.

Maintains electronic health records (EHR) so that information is current and consistent: Enters and updates interventions on individual treatment plans (ITPs); documents weekly/monthly notes, admission, transfer, and discharge notes; conducts initial and annual assessments per policy; and enters progress notes and note-worthy interactions with individuals.

Supports quality assurance: Seeks to improve the quality of services; safeguards high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish. Is well acquainted with and upholds ethical standards set by their professional title, and/or the American Psychological Association. Continually strives for professional and personal improvement; stays current with advancements in psychotherapy practices and participates in ongoing professional development. Accepts and works within clear lines of responsibility and accountability in order to keep professional independence in balance with collaborative care and overall organizational productivity.

Serves as treatment team coordinator: Helps integrate individuals' care across the different disciplines represented on a treatment team; assists in assuring that ITPs and meetings relating to ITPs are scheduled in compliance with policy and procedure; assists in assuring that the team conferences begin and end on time; addresses individuals' needs and treatment goals in a person centered and trauma informed manner; and assists in creating and maintaining a psychologically safe collaborative environment for the best outcomes. Seeks trainings in areas of identified weakness in order to successfully lead the team through ITP concerns.

Collaborates closely with interdisciplinary treatment team members to provide integrated care and address individuals’ holistic needs. Assures one’s own consistent, timely attendance and full participation in treatment team conferences and other team- and individual-related meetings. Assists in developing, updating ITPs and presenting them during team meetings. Acts as a consultant with other professionals to educate them about psychological treatments or encourage use of specific psychological interventions when appropriate.

Attends and participates in other meetings: Attends case conferences, clinical meetings, CSPs meetings, etc., in order to provide information to hospital staff regarding knowledge of individuals’ needs and psychological treatment. Attends and participates in department meetings to review issues and promote department knowledge of unit issues and coordinator concerns. Supports the hospital and/or department by serving on committees or carrying out special projects.

Provides Individualized incentive programs to motivate positive cognitive and behavior change.

Communicates in a professional manner. Responds timely to phone messages, emails, etc.

Completes required hospital trainings within the specified time frames.

Maintains current certification in CPR and MANDT.

Performs other related duties as required.

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.

Provides Psychological Treatment independently. Is able to make independent decisions related to individual treatment and group therapy. Confers with the treatment team as the team coordinator to ensure coordination of services and schedules to meet CMS requirements.

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:

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

1.	Provides psychological treatment in individual and group-based formats in adherence with CMS / DOH regulations
2.	Strengthens desirable behaviors and reduces frequency of undesirable behaviors.
3.	Safely manages a group of Individuals. Adept at creating therapeutic relationships.
4.	Serves as a coordinator on a treatment team; knows CMS regulations regarding treatment team coordination and timelines.
5.	Provides consultation on psychological / behavioral concerns, topics.
6.	Ensures all documentation is timely, per policy and CMS / DOH timelines.
7.	Uses computer keyboard and EHR software proficiently and effectively.
8.	Obtains and maintains MANDT and CPR certifications.
9.	Reads, writes, and orally communication in fluent English.
10.	Can walk the length of the unit hallways multiple times per day.