Psychologist

Health & Human Services; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Well-Being, is seeking a Psychologist (NS) to perform diagnostic testing for infants and toddlers, assess development, and determine eligibility for the Infant Toddler Program.

The role includes conducting assessments in home or community settings, preparing formal reports, and contributing to IFSP development while coordinating with service providers and families.

Qualifications

• Knowledge in psychology including behavior, learning, development, and intervention.
• Experience with trauma-informed treatment programs preferred.
• Knowledge of tests for children and child development from birth to three.
• Understanding of developmental disabilities and family needs across contexts.
• Ability to establish rapport and conduct clinical interviews with testing.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices for young children and caregiver coaching.
• Ability to document clearly and work with minimal supervision in a team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct diagnostic testing of infants and toddlers to determine developmental levels.
• Perform developmental assessments using standardized instruments meeting APA standards.
• Prepare formal written assessment reports and participate in IFSP development.
• Collaborate with CDSA staff and Service Coordinators on eligibility and recommendations.
• Explain results to families and other professionals; provide consultation as needed.
• Maintain client records per CDSA/ITP and billing standards.

Skills

Psychology knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Children testing expertise

Developmental knowledge

Rapport with families

Evidence-based practices

Clear written communication

Tools

APA standards testing

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Child and Family Well Being Job Classification Title Psychologist (NS) Position Number 60040024 Grade MH17

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The CDSA Psychologist will conduct diagnostic psychological testing of infants and toddlers to determine developmental levels and functional needs related to intellectual/cognitive functioning (acquired knowledge, attention, language, memory, planning and problem solving, and visual spatial abilities), behavioral concerns, and social emotional adjustment, and determine eligibility criteria for the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program. Conducts developmental testing to include assessment of motor, language, social, adaptive, and/or cognitive functioning by standardized developmental instruments that meet American Psychological Association standards. Involves direct individual observation and assessment with the child as well as interview with the parent as needed for developmental, adaptive, behavioral, or social emotional information. Assessments/evaluations are conducted primarily in the child’s natural environment which is typically a home or childcare setting where the child’s daily care occurs or in other community settings that serve children. Participates in clinical staffing with Service Coordinators and other CDSA clinical staff to compile assessment results, determine potential eligibility for the Infant Toddler Program, make diagnoses, and formulate intervention recommendations. Prepares formal written assessment reports. Participates in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) development as needed and provides consultation to other disciplines and service providers working with individual children on specific IFSP outcomes. Interprets assessment results to families, caregivers, and other professionals. Provides treatment services as needed to infants and toddlers and their families, in a variety of settings including the home, childcare and other community settings. Assists to ensure that psychological services are integrated with other disciplines to address outcomes identified on the IFSP. The Staff Psychologist will communicate regularly with the Early Intervention Service Coordinator and other team members to address progress and changing needs. Provides psychological consultation to families and other community providers to address child social-emotional and cognitive development, behavior, and infant mental health issues and family functioning. Acts as a resource to the agency and community regarding psychological needs of infants and toddlers. Provides consultation and technical assistance to CDSA staff and community providers in infant/toddler mental health, behavior management, and social emotional development and dysfunction. Maintains client records in accordance with CDSA/ITP and 3rd party reimbursement standards. Attends scheduled staff meetings and trainings and completes required daily/monthly documentation activities (e.g. time and travel, billing, etc.). Attends professional development events to stay current on recommended and evidence-based practices. Follows departmental, division, and agency policies and procedures. The Staff Psychologist may participate in Quality Assurance/Improvement activities, such as child record reviews and specific QA/QI initiatives. The Staff Psychologist may act as a representative of the CDSA in providing trainings to families and other agencies on various topics. The Staff Psychologist may represent the CDSA on local boards and committees, as requested by the CDSA Director. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $66,696 -$110,049 Recruitment Range: $66,696 -$78,569

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.

• Knowledge in the field of psychology, including human behavior, learning, development and principles of therapeutic intervention.
• Experience with trauma informed treatment programs such as Circle of Security Parenting Program and Child Parent Psychoparenting (CPP), etc. is preferred.
• Knowledge of the nature, administration and interpretation of psychological and developmental tests for children and thorough knowledge of child development from birth to three years.
• Knowledge of developmental disabilities and needs of young children and their families with a wide range of behavior, mental health and psychosocial concerns.
• Skill in establishing rapport with clients and utilizing clinical interview and standardized testing for assessing intellectual, psychosocial, behavioral, and child/family needs and concerns.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices used in working with young children and families, such as natural learning environment practices and caregiver coaching, is preferred.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written form, to maintain client records, and to work with a minimal amount of supervision as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to drive and travel by car across the CDSA’s catchment area. Use of fingers and hands for computer and keyboarding, and sitting for extended periods of time. Some light lifting (less than 10 pounds) may also occur.

Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours.

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

About the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being

The Division of Child and Family Well-Being (DCFW) brings together complementary NC Department of Health and Human services to support North Carolina’s children growing up safe, healthy, and thriving in nurturing and resilient families and communities.

Compensation and Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).

• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Background Checks

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Contact

Recruiter: Charlene Michele Moore Email: [e-mail]

Eligibility for Licensure

Eligibility for licensure in North Carolina under the provisions of the NC Psychology Practice Act (G.S. 90-270).

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.