Psychologist

nc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 67,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks a Staff Psychologist (NS) for the Infant and Toddler Program. You will conduct developmental and cognitive assessments of infants and toddlers, perform diagnostic testing, and help determine eligibility for services.

You will collaborate with Service Coordinators, prepare assessment reports, support IFSP development, and provide consultation to families and other professionals in community settings.

Qualifications

• Knowledge in psychology, human behavior, learning and development.
• Experience with trauma-informed treatment programs is preferred.
• Knowledge of developmental tests for children and child development.
• Familiarity with child development from birth to three years.

Responsibilities

• Conduct diagnostic testing of infants and toddlers to determine functioning.
• Assess eligibility for the North Carolina Infant Toddler Program.
• Prepare formal written assessment reports.
• Participate in IFSP development and provide family consultation.
• Maintain records and collaborate with CDSA staff and service providers.

Skills

Psychology knowledge

Trauma-informed care

Developmental testing

Child development

CPP training

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