POSITION SUMMARY:
The School
Psychologist assigned to the Department of Special Education works within the
school system, utilizing their specialized knowledge in education law,
instruction, cognitive and social-emotional functioning and working with
educators, parents and other mental health professionals to ensure that every
child learns in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment. The services
provided by school psychologists assure positive interaction between the
student and their peers and students and staff. School Psychologists tailor
their services to the particular needs of each child and situation.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Identifies and assesses services to
address students’ needs through observation of factors impinging on student
adjustment and behavior including factors in the school, home and community;
Provides direct behavioral support by
conducting frequent and ongoing appropriate group and/or individual counseling
designed to increase student attendance, positive student behaviors and social
interactions;
Provides individual and small group
counseling sessions;
Assists in the development and
implementation of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior
Intervention plans (BIPs);
Administers adaptive and
social-emotional/behavioral assessment to assist the school-based team in
determining if students continue to qualify for a 504 Plan, as well as writing
psychological reports summarizing assessment results;
Provides suicide intervention and crisis
support for schools;
Participates as a member of the Student
Instructional Team (SIT), Student Support Team (SST) and other school-based
teams to make recommendations and develop interventions that promote students’
social-emotional development;
Submits documentation and required
reports as required by the Office of Psychological Services and Department of
Special Education confirming the implementation of intervention services and
other required outcomes;
Collaborates with all stakeholder groups
including central office, school administrators, school staff, parents and
outside agencies to bring programs into the schools to assist with promoting
positive behavior supports and interventions;
Collaborates with crisis intervention
resource teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, clinical social
workers and other appropriate personnel to present parent and school-team
trainings on broad areas of mental health, social-emotional development, and
how they impact student academic achievements;
Acts as a liaison with community
agencies that provide services to children;
Attends departmental meetings and
continues professional development programs;
Serves on office, departmental and/or
system committees;
Provides consultation to teachers,
parents, school staff and community agencies;
Attends Office of Psychological Services
and Coordinated Early Intervening Services meetings; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Meets educational and certification
requirements and qualifying scores on the State-approved test for school
psychologist;
Excellent human relation skills;
Excellent oral and written
communications skills; and
Excellent organizational skills.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s or higher degree in school psychology from a
State-approved program; or a master’s or higher degree and complete a State-approved
program in school psychology, culminating a minimum of a 1,200-hour internship
in school psychology; and meet qualifying scores on the State-approved test for
school psychologist.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of or eligible for a Maryland
School Psychologist’s Certificate; or possession of or eligible for
Certification as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), issued by the National
School Psychology Certification Board; or a valid professional certificate in
school psychology from another state and verification of at least 27 months of
satisfactory performance as a school psychologist during the past 7 years on
the basis of which application is being made for a comparable Maryland
certificate.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.