School Psychologist

Job Title

Psychologist

Salary Scale

TCH

Location

PSC Code

085000

Reports To

Assistant Superintendent of Exceptional Children

Shift Type

Full Time/Exempt

General Statement of Job

Under limited supervision provides a broad range of psychological services to assigned schools including but not limited to psychological testing consultation and counseling of students.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Administers ability achievement supplementary personality and behavior psychological evaluations to students on an individual basis. Scores tests and prepares reports on each student referred.
• Observes and evaluates student behavior; analyzes school records teachers evaluations parent information and relevant medical information.
• Makes referrals to District staff professionals other agencies and medical professionals as necessary.
• Provides mental health services such as individual and group counseling for students.
• Interprets test results and other relevant information; develops concisely written reports including student diagnoses and placement recommendations.
• Conducts formal and informal consultations with teachers administrators and parents regarding student assessments; participates in schools Student Assessment Teams. Recommends strategies to facilitate academic and social performance.
• Attends and participates in multidisciplinary placement committee meetings. Reviews psychoeducational assessments and participates in developing IEPs.
• May serve as Lead Psychologist coordinating psychological services throughout the District including ordering supplies monitoring Medicaid billing monitoring colleagues reports and providing guidance and assistance as needed assisting in the selection of new school psychologists etc.
• Coordinates crisis management programs and provides crisis intervention services at the school and District levels.
• Collaborates with medical mental health and social service agencies for the benefit of students and their families.
• Conducts and/or participates in inservice instruction for teachers and parents.
• Keeps abreast of developments legislation and innovations in the profession.
• Serves on District and statewide committees for education and psychology.
• Uses a computer to retrieve and record student information to prepare reports and correspondence and to score tests.
• Completes forms for Medicaid reimbursement.
• Receives reviews prepares and/or submits various records and reports including professional studies psychological reports school records activity logs travel log placement forms memos correspondence etc.
• Operates a variety of equipment such as a computer telephone vehicle etc.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor other administrators teachers and other District personnel private mental health professionals community service agencies medical professionals students parents etc.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs various administrative / clerical tasks as required including but not limited to typing copying and filing documents and forms answering the telephone attending meetings etc.
• Performs related duties as required.

Essential Functions

Physical Requirements:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including a computer telephone vehicle. Must be able to exert up to five pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of five to ten pounds.

Data Conception:

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data people or things.

Interpersonal Communications:

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving assignments and/or directions to assistants and receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.

Language Ability:

Requires the ability to read a variety of laws policies and procedures evaluation materials professional studies medical reference materials etc. Requires the ability to prepare complex reports student goals and objectives evaluation reports records correspondence etc. with proper format punctuation spelling and grammar using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of instructions in oral written mathematical or schedule form and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Requires the ability to use influence systems in supervising assistants; to learn and understand complex principles and techniques to make independent judgments in absence of supervision and to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude:

Requires the ability to record and deliver information to explain procedures to follow and give verbal and written instructions and to counsel and teach students colleagues and assistants. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including special education medical physical and occupational therapy assistive technology language sign language etc.

Numerical Aptitude:

Requires the ability to add and subtract totals to multiply and divide to utilize mathematical formulas to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time. Must be able to use practical applications of statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length width and shape and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office and specialized machinery and to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity:

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items keyboards office equipment control knobs buttons switches catches small tools etc. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree or to tension as a regular consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications:

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

Training and Education

Requires a Masters Degree plus 30 additional credits in School Psychology and experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. Must have state certification.

Performance Evaluation Criteria

Job Knowledge:

Has thorough knowledge of the methods procedures and policies of Student Support Services as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Psychologist. Is knowledgeable in the laws ordinances standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Has considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Florence 1 Schools and other governmental agencies. Has thorough knowledge of psychological skills techniques and theories. Is able to organize collect and report psychological data in order to develop prescriptive educational programs. Adheres to strict timelines for notification of testing test result conferences and placement decisions. Has the ability to offer guidance and assistance to parents teachers colleagues and employees of other departments as required. Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine and nonroutine tasks. Is able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision. Is able to read and interpret complex professional studies reports and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job. Knows how to prepare complex psychological assessment reports student records correspondence etc. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department. Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation. Is able to make sound educated decisions. Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Has the ability to plan organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Has good organizational technical and human relations skills. Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency. Has skill in the use of computers.

Quality of Work:

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all District departments and divisions coworkers and the public.

Quantity of Work:

Performs described Specific Duties and Responsibilities and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the District.

Dependability:

Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work. Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives District policy standards and prescribed procedures. Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:

Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and timeoff requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:

Maintains an enthusiastic selfreliant and selfstarting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountability. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body to ensure student safety and wellbeing.

Cooperation:

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same. Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified (i.e. poor communications variance with District policy or procedures etc.. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District.

Relationships:

Shares knowledge with managers supervisors and staff for mutual and district benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees staff and managers in other departments representatives from organizations and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good district image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the District. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District. Interacts effectively with higher management professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound timemanagement methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends required meetings planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety:

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies. Sees that standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Terms of Employment

200 day work agreement. Salary and work year to be established by the district.

Florence 1 Schools does not discriminate in the selection employment or promotion of employees on the basis of race color sex national origin age religion disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or S.C. law.