CLINICAL CHILD /PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGIST

PEDIATRIC PSYCHOLOGIST

JOB SUMMARY

• The pediatric psychologist has responsibility for providing comprehensive psychological services to one or more inpatient, outpatient, and/or day treatment programs serving children from birth through adolescence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF POSITION

• Involved in Division administrative functions and Division and hospital program development.
• Responsibilities include psychological assessments of children and families
• Participates in the development of interdisciplinary treatment plans,
• Provides consultative services to children, families, staff members, teams, and outside agencies
• Provides supportive counseling and psychotherapeutic services to children and families
• Participates in Division administrative functions and projects,
• Participates in hospital committees and work groups.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Educational Requirements

• Doctoral degree in American Psychological Association approved professional psychology program with specific training in pediatric psychology. Post doctoral fellowship in pediatric psychology preferred.

• Licensure, Certification and Registration
• Work Orientation and Experience
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Other Requirements Specific to Assigned Area

• License eligibility in the state of Maryland

• One to three years post graduate work in the field of pediatric psychology preferred.

• Knowledge normal and abnormal child development and family functioning and their relationship to chronic illness and disability.
• Knowledge and skills in psychological assessment of children, adolescents, and families.
• Knowledge and skills in a broad range of child focused individual, group, and family psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction in the psychological management of children.
• Ability to communicate effectively with physicians and other team members, family members, community agencies, referral sources, and payors, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with an economically and culturally diverse population.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Supervision Received

• Reports to the Division Director. Amount and type of supervision depends on licensing level and experience.

• Supervision Exercised

• Supervises pediatric psychology interns, externs, and post doctoral fellows. If qualified, may supervise unlicensed staff psychology associates.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Directly communicates with patients, family members, other health care team members, other health system staff, and representatives of referring and other outside agencies and payors. Must be able to handle crisis and sensitive situations in a professional manner.

TOOLS/EQUIPMENT USED

• Uses on-line health information network system, personal computer, telephone, fax, and various psychological test instruments.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Typical health care environment. Occasional stress due to multiple demands, shifting priorities, shifting patient populations, and tight time frames. Periodically serves as on-call psychologist during evening and weekend hours. May occasionally be involved in the restraint of a patient. Limited risk of exposure to body fluids, infectious waste, or blood borne diseases. Employees are expected to exercise good judgment in the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to established protocol.

This job description identifies the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not to be considered an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties or skills required of an incumbent.