PSYCHOLOGIST SENIOR 45052

7/1/89 B

This is the second level class in the Psychologist series. Positions in this class provide comprehensive psychological evaluation and treatment services to clients in one or more designated programs or units. Considerable time is devoted to conducting intensive individual, group or family therapy sessions; planning and coordinating services to a caseload; providing consultation in the treatment planning process, ensuring quality assurance of services provided and serving on interdisciplinary treatment teams. Positions may lead other Psychologists in the provision of services or may serve as the only psychologist in an institutional program. This class is distinguished from the Psychologist class which devotes considerable time to diagnostic testing and may or may not follow through with therapy. It is distinguished from the Psychologist Supervisor by the latter's responsibility to formally supervise other Psychologists and Psychologist Seniors.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty as a senior psychologist in the planning, directing, integrating and coordinating of psychological services and functions in one or more units. Develops and monitors quality assurance programs; serves as a consultant to Psychologists, counselors, social workers, medical staff, security staff, instructors and administrators on client treatment; and conducts psychotherapy in the treatment of clients with emotional/behavioral dysfunctions. Conducts comprehensive psychological assessments through clinical interviews, psychological testing and interpretation and observation in order to assess intellectual and cognitive abilities, aptitude, achievement, interests and personality and follows through with individual, group, and/or family therapy sessions. Performs testing in order to assist in formulating treatment plans, provide documentation for legal or financial issues, or document need for other types of treatment. Serves as a member of an interdisciplinary team recommending methods of treatment, discharge and/or transfers, additional services, documenting processes, and treatment interventions. May provide crisis intervention; conduct forensic evaluations; appear in court as an expert witness; and/or train direct care staff in various methods of behavioral management.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor; however, positions may lead, direct or coordinate the work of others.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from a facility director, clinical program director, Psychology Director, or Psychology Supervisor.

Scope: Work affects the well-being of clients and the quality of services provided by the facility or program unit(s).

Impact of Actions: Work has moderate impact on programs administered and may result in significant costs, time, money, services, and/or public and employee goodwill.

Personal Contacts: Frequent contacts with staff members of private and public facilities, colleges and universities; personnel of court systems, governmental social service programs, and community service boards; clients' relatives; facility security and administrative personnel; medical personnel; and other service providers for the purpose of obtaining and providing information related to psychological services.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the principles and methods of psychological services delivery including psychological assessments, diagnostic evaluations, psychotherapy, behavioral programming/research and treatment modalities, and program design and evaluation.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to develop and administer psychological programs/ treatment; conduct psychotherapy in treatment; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Licensed as a clinical psychologist or psychologist, clinical may be required in accordance with the Attorney General's interpretation of Section 54.1-3601.4 of the Code of Virginia. A license may also be required in accordance with Section 19.2-169.5 of the Code of Virginia.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with advanced course work in psychology, such as would be received in a Psychology Ph.D. program.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience which provides an understanding of psychological services; application of principles and practices of psychological services delivery; and program evaluation and design.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class, along with the Psychology Supervisor class, replaces the Psychologist C Ph.D. class. This class was established in June 1989 as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program.