School Psychologist

                                                          South Western School District

POSITION TITLE | School Psychologist

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

12 Month Confidential Employee Contract (range 210 days - 260 days)

Salary and benefits as described in the South Western School District Confidential Salaries and Benefits

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s Degree in related applicable field  with PA Specialist certification 1875 School Psychologist PK-12

WORK ENVIRONMENT

District professional staff, principals and assistant principals, district administrators

JOB SUMMARY/GOAL:

To provide needed psychological consultation and evaluation services and support for pupils referred by other professional personnel

ESSENTIAL TASKS:

1. Provide consultation and assessment services for students with suspected learning and/or behavioral problems.
2. Provide assistance to, and serve on, building level Instructional Support Teams and/or Student Assistance Teams as requested by building principals.
3. Provide individual assessments and program recommendations for students referred for Multidisciplinary Team Evaluations.
4. Provide consultation, counseling and follow-up with parents, school staff, and administrators in regard to the educational and psychological needs of students who have been evaluated.  Develop required and appropriate reports upon completion of evaluations (i.e., Comprehensive Evaluation Reports).
5. Provide follow-up evaluations, as required by law and/or recommended by building level teams, for students enrolled in special education and gifted programs.
6. As appropriate, participate in building level team meetings regarding individual students, parent conferences, evaluation follow-up meetings, IEP conferences, etc.
7. Provide consultation to special education teachers regarding instructional and behavioral interventions for identified students.
8. Participate with building level teams in the development of FBAs and Positive Behavior Support Plans
9. Provide consultation, observation, evaluation, and/or parent counseling services concerning, problems of pupils which inhibit social, emotional, and academic development.
10. Provide referral to and liaison with psychological support resource services outside the school district.
11. Assist in recommending appropriate educational placements for students requiring services beyond the capabilities of the district.
12. Develop a working understanding of state and federal laws as they apply to school psychological services, and assist in the interpretation of such laws for district staff, and be responsible for the consistent implementation of school laws in areas of job responsibility.
13. Coordinate the district’s psychological testing program, and consult with administration regarding district-wide assessment and program evaluation.
14. Work with school staff (teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators) to assure that suspected child/sexual abuse cases are reported as mandated by law.
15. Work with school staff (teachers, counselors, nurses, administrators) to assure that appropriate communications are maintained when students are hospitalized for mental health reasons.
16. Provide direct and indirect support for students in emotional support and therapeutic emotional support programs via social skill instruction, individual counseling, group counseling, and consultation with staff.
17. Perform functions necessary to support a systematic program of psychological services.  These functions may include the following areas:
    1. Maintain data concerning local community agencies and providers of Mental Health/Psychological Services
    2. Assist in the preparation of the annual budget for psychological service
    3. Maintain accurate and current records for pupils seen for psychological services
    4. Pursue professional growth and development
    5. Contribute to district-wide policy development pertaining to psychological services
    6. Complete required district, state and/or federal reports.
18. Perform other activities as directed by the Assistant to the Superintendent or the Superintendent.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KSA):

Knowledge:

• Current knowledge of the fields of education, psychology, and related disciplines
• Child and Adolescent Development, understanding typical and atypical development across cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral domains.
• Knowledge of effective instructional practices, learning theories, and factors that influence student motivation.
• Understanding of common mental health disorders in children and adolescents, as well as intervention strategies.
• Knowledge of relevant laws and ethical codes governing school psychology practice in Pennsylvania, including those set forth by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Skills:

• Possess strong organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficiency in word processing skills and other basic computer skills
• Strong interpersonal, human relations, and communication skills
• Expertise in using, administering, scoring and interpreting results from formal and informal assessments that evaluate academic achievement, intelligence, social-emotional skills, and behavior.
• Developing and implementing individual and group interventions to address student needs.

Abilities:

• Ability to collaborate with other district administrators, building level principals and assistant principals, other educators, learners, and community members
• Ability to effectively interact with students and adults in a variety of situations
• Ability to analyze data from assessments and interventions to draw meaningful conclusions.
• Ability to respond effectively to crisis situations involving students.