School Psychologist

Caddo Parish Schools Job Description

Job Title: School Psychologist

Prepared By: Nadalie Thomas

Prepared Date: January 20, 2005

Approved By: Jan Holliday

Approved Date: January 24, 2005

SUMMARY

Reports to a designated Pupil Appraisal team facilitator, enables students to derive the fullest possible educational experience from school by providing a full-range of psychological services to students in need of such assistance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops performance objectives and prepares a professional growth plan supporting department and school system goals.

• Explains and interprets school psychological services to parents, teachers, principals, and other members of the parish school system.

• Implements and/or assists teachers and other school personnel in the design and implementation of educational and behavioral interventions for referred pupils.

• Provides individual or group therapy/counseling for those children whose identified problems would benefit from such services.

• Evaluates, as a pupil appraisal service staff member in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Bulletin 1508 and the regulations implementing Act 754, those pupils suspected of being in need of special educational services.

• Functions as evaluation coordinator for designated referred students.

• Participates in due process proceedings when necessary.

• Interprets assessment findings to parents, teachers, principals, and other professional parish personnel and responsible practitioners outside the school.

• Confers with parents, teachers, principals, the team facilitator and other parish professional staff whenever necessary on matters relative to assessment, behavior management, exceptional children, learning, child development, and any other areas within the expertise of the school psychologist.

• Serves on designated school building level committees.

QUALIFICATIONS

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 to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in psychology from an accredited graduate program and certification by the State Department of Education in School Psychology.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to relate to and communicate with exceptional children in an accepting and non-biased manner.

• Ability to relate to and verbally communicate with all professional and non-professional contacts on the level of each individual's ability and level of understanding.

• Ability to effectively communicate in written reports and correspondence information germane to the individual case.

• Ability to plan and organize duties in an efficient manner.

• Ability to treat all information in a confidential manner.

• Ability to maintain stability to work effectively under pressure.

• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with Special Education Center staff, schools, agencies, and the public.

• Neat, well groomed appearance.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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 regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.

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. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to: neglect of duty, dishonesty, engagement in acts that are contrary to CPSB policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system.

CHAIN OF SUPERVISION

Assigned Pupil Appraisal Facilitator

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

182 days