Job Title:                     School Psychologist

Contract Length:          205 days

FLSA Status:                Exempt

Job Summary

Position performs specialized psychological work in an educational setting to enable students to achieve optimal learning.  Position collects, interprets, and synthesizes information about a student’s sensory motor/perceptual functioning, academic achievement, intelligence, social/emotional adjustment, and significant crises that influence academic and behavioral functioning.  Position works cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team member to provide services and to devise an appropriate service plan for referred students and their families.

Essential Duties

1. Performs casework services with students/families to help resolve student’s behavioral, learning, and social problems.
2. Selects and administers age appropriate psychological tests, assessment methods, and materials in order to determine the needs of the student.
3. Consults with teachers and other school personnel to obtain information regarding the reason for referral.
4. Gathers background information on the student’s psychological history by conducting behavioral observations, conducting interviews, and reviewing school records.
5. Interprets assessment results and compiles comprehensive psychological assessment reports that address the reason for referral and include appropriate recommendations for students Pre K through 12 or program completion.
6. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary assessment team assigned to each school and works as a team member in making placement decisions, developing intervention plans, and planning programs to meet the special needs of children.
7. Communicates case findings and recommendations to teachers and other school personnel as needed.
8. Chairs or leads eligibility committee meetings and contributes to the development of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) as appropriate.
9. Serves as a resource to teachers and staff regarding psychological services and the academic/psychological needs of students.
10. Conferences with and provides information and support to parents/guardians of students, if requested.
11. Conducts in-service training and workshops for teachers and staff regarding mental health issues and proper procedures for the identification and referral of students.
12. Organizes and conducts specialized programs.
13. Serves as a liaison between the student, home, school, private counseling facilities and community resources such as social services, court services, and family agencies. Serves as a member of the Family Assessment and Planning Team on a rotating basis.  May be asked to cover for the director to attend Community and Policy Management Team (CPMT) meetings if needed.
14. Provides follow-up support and periodic re-evaluation services as necessary.
15. Acts as a member of the school crisis team to provide intervention to students as necessary.
16. Compiles monthly reports; maintains accurate case records; and compiles necessary documentation for work completed on Medicaid eligible children.
17. Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.
18. Keeps abreast of developments and research in the field of school psychology.
19. Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education.

Job Specifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities Required)

Must be fully licensed by the state of Virginia to practice as a school psychologist.  Must possess a Specialist in Education degree in school psychology.  Must possess the ability to synthesize and interpret diagnostic and assessment data.  Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of school psychology theory, child development, substance abuse education, tests and measurements, and crisis management.  Must possess the ability to practically apply assessment, counseling, interviewing, and crisis intervention skills.  Must possess the ability to work cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team member.  Must possess excellent communication and time management skills.  Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community agencies, students, families, team members, and others.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors, and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds; and to bend, stoop, sit on the floor, climb stairs, walk and reach overhead.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Duties are normally performed in a school environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Clearance

Criminal Justice Background check, Fingerprinting, TB Assessment

Supervision Exercised:  None

Supervision Received:  Director of Special Education

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee.  The applicant will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or appropriate administrator.  Accomack County Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.