Job Overview: The School Psychologist supports students’ ability to access the general education environment and the general education curriculum to achieve at high standards. He/she applies expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to help children academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. The School Psychologist diagnoses mental disorders and provides therapeutic services and supports students’ social and emotional growth. The focus of the work of the School Psychologist is in the following areas: self regulation, social skills, resilience, problem solving, anger management, bullying prevention, self-determination, positive self-esteem, restorative justice, and behavior principles.
Reports To: The Psychologist reports to the Director of Student Services, and collaborates with all classroom based teachers and staff and contracted mental health providers.
Responsibilities and Duties
Response to Intervention (RTI)
- Conduct observations and write corresponding observation reports with recommendations
- Conduct screenings and write corresponding screening reports with recommendations
- Conduct evaluations such as psycho-educational evaluations, clinical evaluations, ADHD evaluations, and Autism evaluations.
- Disseminate rating scales and interpret and report results/conclusions
- Design Tier I social/emotional/behavioral strategies, interventions, and supports for implementation by the general education teacher in the general education environment; design behavioral data collection instruments to be used by the general education teacher in general education settings
- Design and implement Tier II strategies, interventions, and supports for the general education environment
- Design and implement Tier III strategies, interventions, and supports for resource room pull-out
- Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
- Use the results of FBAs to inform the creation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
- Facilitate periodic BIP reviews
- Develop present levels of functional performance at the beginning and end of every Tier in the RTI Process
- Ensure the collection of baseline and on-going behavioral data; analyze the data; and graph the data results
- Participate in Student Support Team meetings, as needed, to discuss students’ response to behavioral interventions and to determine next steps
- Consult with general education teachers and parents
- Document all communications with parents
Individualized Education Plans
- Conduct observations and write corresponding observation reports with recommendations
- Conduct screenings and write corresponding reports with recommendations
- Conduct evaluations such as psycho-educational evaluations, clinical evaluations, ADHD evaluations, and Autism evaluations. and use information provided through rating scales to formulate conclusions, interpret results, and write corresponding evaluation reports with clinical impressions and recommendations
- Conduct FBAs
- Use the results of FBAs to inform the creation of BIPs
- Facilitate periodic BIP reviews
- Participate in AED, IEP, Evaluation, Reevaluation, and Manifestation Determination meetings, as requested
- Develop draft IEPs to include: Present Levels of Functional Performance, Accommodations, Modifications, Supplementary Aids and Supports, and Goals
- Deliver direct and indirect related services consistent with the IEP
- Maintain regular service trackers
- Monitor and report student progress triennially and during ESY
- Document all communications with parents
504 Accommodation Plans
- Conduct observations and write corresponding observation reports with recommendations
- Conduct screenings and write corresponding screening reports with recommendations
- Conduct evaluations and use information from rating scales to formulate conclusions, interpret results, and write corresponding evaluation reports with clinical impressions and recommendations
- Conduct FBAs
- Develop BIPs
- Review medical documentation of disabling social/emotional/behavioral conditions requiring reasonable accommodations
- Develop draft 504 accommodations
- Participate in 504 meetings, as requested
- Deliver psychological direct and indirect services consistent with 504 Accommodation Plans
- Monitor and report student progress at least annually
- Document all communications with parents
Other
- Conduct risk assessments
- Develop safety plans, as appropriate
- Develop/implement bullying prevention programs
- Collaborate with the Restorative Practices Team and as, appropriate, participate in student reflections; restorative circles; disciplinary action panels; and processing of incidents with students
- Respond to crisis situations
- Consult on cases involving child abuse/neglect and homelessness
- Support school safety by assisting with student arrival and dismissal procedures
- Participate in school events outside of regular school hours (i.e. Learning Expos, open houses, etc.)
- Provide Psychology services in Mundo Verde’s summer program (runs through 3rd week in July) for an additional stipend
- Supervise students pursuing their psychology license if the opportunity / need arises
Other duties as assigned
