School Psychologist

Job Title: School Psychologist

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Department: Special Education

Reports To: Director for Special Education

Approved By: Board of Trustee

____________________________________________________________________________________________ SUMMARY:

Performs professional psychological work in assessment, behavior management, and counseling for students with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Assess the psychological and psychoeducational needs of students referred to special education services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

Master's degree in psychology

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Texas license as a licensed specialist in school psychology granted by The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologist *

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of procedures for assessing achievement and intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning for educational purposes
• Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions
• Knowledge of psycho-social development
• Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations as assigned
• Skilled in dealing with handicapped students and their parents
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the school community
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education

policies

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment

• Select and administer assessments and observations to evaluate the intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of referred students and to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations.
• Score and interpret test data.
• Develop psychological evaluation reports, functional behavior assessments, and behavior intervention plans.
• Conduct or participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with appropriate placement and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
• May serve as case manager and implement the special education assessment process for students on assigned campuses.

Consultation

• Conduct group, individual, and family counseling sessions and facilitative therapy for students with diagnosed problems.
• Serve as consultant on mental health topics for instructors in the school health program.
• Consult with school staff regarding implementation of behavior intervention plans and in managing behaviorally disruptive students.
• Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel with identification and understanding of students with emotional, social, and behavioral disturbances.
• Meet with parents to discuss pertinent background information and test results.
• Consult with teachers and relevant staff concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Consult with psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, and community agencies concerning intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of students as needed.

Program Management

• Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
• May provide clinical supervision to intern or trainee. **
• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of psychological services and assessment procedures and make changes based on findings.
• Assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including case records, test results, statistical data, and test inventories.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the areas of psychological services, assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
• Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.

Communication

• Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors. Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, parents, supervisors and administrators.

Other

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in staff development training programs to improve job performance.
• Participate in meetings and special events as assigned.
• Exercise professional judgment in absences; be punctual to work, meetings, and appointments. Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, board of trustees, staff, students, parents, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply mathematical skills such as concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Occasional absences are understood but regular attendance is required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, especially when transferring students to and from wheelchairs or assisting with positioning students. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Frequent districtwide travel is required.

The employee must maintain emotional control under stress.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in this environment is usually quiet. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works inside.