School Psychologist Job Horsham area,Pennsylvania USA,Education / Teaching

School Psychologist

The primary purpose of the School Psychologist is to identify and assess the learning, development, and adjustment characteristics and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and adjustment. Use assessment data about the student and his/her environment(s) in developing appropriate interventions and programs. To evaluate students referred by MTSS, IEP teams, and parents to determine whether they are in need of specially designed instruction as delineated by Chapter 14, 15 and 16 of the PA Special Education Regulations.

The School Psychologist reports directly to the Director of Pupil Services. Work cooperatively with other administrators, supervisors, staff, outside agencies, parents and students to perform job responsibilities. The terms of employment are 189 teacher days and 11 additional days beyond the employee school calendar.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Conduct non-biased assessments with consideration of the characteristics of the student (including ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, and handicapping conditions).

Work with school teams to plan and monitor interventions to support the teaching process and to maximize learning and adjustment.

Provide consultation to parents, teachers, other school personnel, and community agencies to enhance the learning and adjustment of students.

Assist in the planning, development, and evaluation of programs to meet identified learning and adjustment needs.

Work with others to develop programs and program strategies to maximize learning for students.

Assist school personnel and parents in analyzing and interpreting evaluation results.

Assist in identifying factors in the learning environment that may affect the student and assessing their degree of impact.

Integrate data from assessment procedures and develop hypotheses relative to instructional and educational programming and program eligibility and placement.

Assist in providing liaison and coordination between the school system and other relevant agencies to facilitate services for students and families.

Interpret education policies, programs, and procedures related to psychological services.

Provide information, and/or education in the application of learning theory, child development and other psychological principles to school personnel and parents.

Engage in continuing professional development by assessing one's own needs and seeking ways to address needs.

Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary assessment team assigned to each school and work as a team member in making placement decisions, developing intervention plans, and planning programs to meet the special needs of children.

Participate in eligibility committee meetings and contributes to the development of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Conduct specialized individual and group counseling sessions to address specific emotional, social, and behavioral needs of students.

Qualifications and physical requirements include:

Master's degree or specialists degree and be eligible for a Pennsylvania Certification as a school psychologist
Possess a comprehensive knowledge of school psychology theory, child development, substance abuse education, tests and measurements, and crisis management
Familiarity with state and federal laws pertaining to the identification and educational needs of special education students
Possess the ability to practically apply assessment, counseling, interviewing, and crisis intervention skills
Possess effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, support staff, co-workers and outside professional contacts.
Possess effective communication, judgmental, planning and human relation skills
Attend work related meetings
Handle confidential information
Maintain stamina during the workday
Meet deadlines, stay organized
Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, and to talk and hear
Have specific vision abilities; to include close vision and the ability to adjust focus
Need to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery,…