Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP)

NORTHWEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Title: LSSP – Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (0144)

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Dept. / Campus: Campuses Assigned         

Duty Days: 202

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt                 

Pay Grade: A27
Date Revised: 02/2021

Primary Purpose:

Assume a leadership role in the adaptive behavior program for the Northwest ISD Special Education Department.  Provide consultation to school personnel and parents concerning prevention and intervention strategies relating to learning or behavioral problems of students.  Perform professional psychological work in assessment, behavior management, and counseling for students with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Assess the psychological and psycho-educational needs of students referred to special education services. Serve on the assessment team, and conduct comprehensive individual evaluations of students referred for special education placement.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Master’s degree in psychology from accredited college or university

Valid Texas license as a licensed specialist in school psychology granted by the Texas State Current license from Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychology or currently completing

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Ability to work with school and community population

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

Experience:

Two years experience providing psychology services in an educational setting

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• 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
• Consult with teachers and relevant staff concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
• Serve as a member of the appraisal team by administering individually structured psychological evaluations to students who present learning and /or behavioral problems or to those suspected of needing an adjusted special placement.
• Confer with parents and school personnel to interpret test findings and offer appropriate recommendations.  
• Prepare written confidential reports of data to be sent to school principals or others at parent’s request.
• Provide consultative services to principals, counselors, teachers, parents, and other
• professionals in the community.
• Provide group and/or individual counseling to those students in the adaptive behavior program who have demonstrated need for this service.
• Observe a given child in the classroom, at home, and in hospital settings or private schools as requested to ascertain their educational and/or emotional needs.
• Review data on children for whom special placement is requested.
• Provide consultative services to Northwest ISD’s diagnosticians through in-service and attendance at regularly scheduled meetings.
• Be aware of eligibility criteria for various special education services and placements in the district.
• Visit residential settings where Northwest ISD’s students who are diagnosed as emotionally disturbed have been placed at district expense.
• Monitor procedures for admission into the adaptive behavior program.
• Act as district liaison between area psychiatric facilities and Northwest ISD. Serve as department liaison with parents of emotionally disturbed students who are new to the district. 
• Request and evaluate data from sources outside the district.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Use appropriate district approved physical safety techniques including restraint
• Dress and shoes appropriate to job responsibilities
• Participate in Admission, Review and Dismissal meetings as needed.

SHARS/ MAC / RMTS:
Northwest ISD participates in the School Health and Related Services (SHARS)  and MAC programs which allows our district to request Medicaid reimbursement for certain health-related services. The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee determines SHARS services.

As a special education staff member, you will be required to train and bill for SHARS reimbursements for students on your caseload.  Trainings will be provided for SHARS, for RMTS (Random Moment in Time Studies), where staff are chosen randomly to answer a few questions, and for MAC (Diagnosticians and non-Personal Care Providers only).  Training will be provided at the beginning of each school year as well as on an “as needed” basis for new hires.

Supervisory Duties:
N/A

Equipment Used:

Personal computer, printer, copier, fax machine

Working Conditions:

Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular districtwide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; moderate lifting and carrying. May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities. Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds or more.  Position requires bending, stooping, pulling, pushing, twisting, overhead reaching and keyboarding.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned, alternative methods of performing your duties, or skills that may be required.

Salary : $72,170 - $95,015