School Psychologist

Psychologist

School Psychologists support students' learning, social development, and mental and behavioral health using problem solving, comprehensive psycho educational assessments, data-based decision-making, and the delivery of evidence-based interventions. School psychologists collaborate and consult with educators, families, and other professionals to help create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students.

To foster a positive and supportive learning environment by providing mental health services, conducting assessments, and collaborating with educators, parents, and school staff to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of students. This will include developing individualized interventions, promoting mental wellness programs, and ensuring students receive the necessary support to thrive academically and personally.

Qualifications:

• Qualified applicants will have completed an accredited graduate degree program at the specialist level (e.g., Ed.S., M.A. + CAGS; M.A. + CAS; M.S./M.A.) or higher requiring a minimum of 60 graduate credits.
• Qualified applicants will hold or be eligible to obtain a valid School Psychologist license/certificate issued by PDE.

Essential Functions:

• Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability School psychologists utilize varied models and methods of assessment and data collection for identifying strengths and needs of individual students and the broader school community, developing effective services and programs, and measuring progress and outcomes.
• Consultation and Collaboration School psychologists consult and collaborate with colleagues, students, families and other stakeholders to promote effective implementation of services.
• Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills School psychologists, in collaboration with others, use assessment and data collection methods and to implement and evaluate services that support cognitive and academic skills.
• Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills School psychologists, in collaboration with others, use assessment and data-collection methods to implement and evaluate services that support socialization, learning, and mental and behavioral health, including but not limited to behavioral supports, individual and group counseling, and social skills training.
• School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning School psychologists develop and implement practices and strategies to create and maintain effective and supportive learning environments for children and others (e.g., positive behavior interventions and supports).
• Preventive and Responsive Services School psychologists promote services that enhance learning, mental and behavioral health, safety, and physical well-being through protective and adaptive factors and implement effective crisis preparation, response, and recovery.
• Family–School Collaboration Services School psychologists implement and evaluate services that respond to culture and context and facilitate family and school partnerships and interactions with community agencies for enhancement of academic and social–behavioral outcomes for children.
• Diversity in Development and Learning School psychologists provide effective professional services that promote effective functioning for individuals, families, and schools with diverse characteristics, cultures, and backgrounds and across multiple contexts, with recognition that an understanding and respect for diversity in development and learning and advocacy for social justice are foundations for all aspects of service delivery.
• Research and Program Evaluation School psychologists evaluate and apply research as a foundation for service delivery and, in collaboration with others, use various techniques and technology resources for data collection, measurement, and analysis to support effective practices at the individual, group, and/or systems levels.
• Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice School psychologists provide services consistent with ethical, legal, and professional standards; engage in responsive ethical and professional decision-making; collaborate with other professionals; and apply professional work characteristics needed for effective practice as school psychologists, including respect for human diversity and social justice, communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, responsibility, adaptability, initiative, dependability, and technology skills.

Marginal Functions:

• While the primary role is to prevent and address long-term mental health concerns, school psychologists may also be involved in crisis management, including helping students and staff during traumatic events or emergencies.
• They may occasionally provide training or workshops for teachers, parents, and staff on topics related to mental health, behavior management, or special education processes.
• Although their main responsibility may be psychological assessment and counseling, school psychologists may assist with the…