Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING

Position Number:  50697925

Description Activated On:  6/30/2025 2:17:57 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 qualified mental health professional position whose function is to facilitate the planning, development, coordination, and administration of treatment services and programming at LYDC. An employee in this position is also responsible for providing consultation to supervisory and counseling staff and serves as a key member of the clinical team in accordance with the Department of Human Services, Office of Children Youth and Families (OCYF), Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, and facility policies. A Psychological Services Specialist demonstrates a high degree of skill and knowledge in the field of counseling/psychotherapy. The employee in this position reports directly to the Youth Development Counselor Manager.

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.

Prepares written clinical evaluations on each resident in assigned area from information obtained by conducting a file review, clinical interview, consulting with program staff and administering the recommended specialized assessment protocol.

Coordinates mental health services via involvement in the psychiatric protocol as defined by the Bureau/Agency policy, serving as a consultant to supervisory/counseling staff, making recommendations for special programming, assisting in treatment plan development and monitoring in order to provide individualized clinical treatment services.

Provides direct services to residents by participating in individual, family and group counseling/therapy as required, attends court or mental health hearings and completes psychological assessments/reports.

Provides training to direct care service staff by providing consultation on individual cases and attending clinical staffings.

Participate in meetings with Probation Officers to exchange information and assist in release planning, in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.

Conducts training of Suicide Awareness & Management to staff during the Juvenile Justice Academy and Mandatory Annual Training with a co-facilitator from the Training Dept. Also co-facilitates this training with all presently employed staff at SESTU and at NCSTU as needed.

Performs individual and/or group psychotherapy in resident's living area.

Oversees the administration of MAYSI 2.

Participates in professional training by attending in-service and out-service training, reviews professional literature, and participates in research, as required, in order to maintain constant professional growth and development, maintain professional licensing as indicated.

Participates in program development meetings with contracted clinical consultants.

Applies the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) in work situations as required.

Facilitates Introduction to Working with Juvenile Offenders (one day) and Counseling Academy (five day) training for all staff when scheduled.

Adhere to all federal, state and agency regulations, policies and procedures governing confidentiality. (HIPAA)

Attend and participate in staff meetings, supervisory conferences and employee training programs, including Suicide Intervention/Prevention, Safe Crisis Management, CPR/AED/First Aid, and Cultural Diversity in order to develop and maintain job skills.

Maintain order and discipline by intervening with residents through active supervision, responding to emergencies and employing the least restrictive intervention technique in order to prevent escapes, control inappropriate behavior and maintain a safe and secure environment.

Work overtime as required by operational necessities and emergencies. Must be able to work mandatory overtime in compliance with overtime provisions of the collective bargaining agreement, with little or no advance notice, whether on or off duty at the time of notification.

Adheres to ethical principles and standards as defined by the American Psychological Association.

Perform 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.

Participation in determination for resident need to see the agency’s psychiatrist.

Participation in determination when a resident can be removed from one-on-one status.

Participation in determination of the suicide risk level for each resident.

In response to emergency situations, determine appropriate action

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. Administer and score psychological tests/conducts clinical interviews
 2. Trains and consults with staff
 3. Analyze and interpret case records.
 4. Interpret and write psychological reports
 5. Face to face clinical interventions
 6. Develop and coordinate treatment plans
 7. Represent agency at juvenile court and other hearings
 8. Pass training and recertification courses as required
 9. Maintain standards of attendance
 10. Travel and work overtime as assigned