MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 2501
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND Grade 29
CLASS SPECIFICATION
PSYCHOLOGIST
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is advanced-level professional clinical psychology work providing direct clinical services (crisis intervention, psychological assessment, testing, evaluation, diagnosis, and psychotherapeutic treatment) to child, adolescent and adult clients with problems concerning personality, emotional adjustment, behavior or mental illness. Contacts are with clients and their families, County Government health care professionals and other public and private health care-related agency representatives, and representatives of the court and school systems for the purpose of consultation/reaching agreement on treatment plans, providing and coordinating direct treatment services, and resolving clinical problems. The public service and assistance a Psychologist provides involves intensive interaction with the client and client family members.
An employee in this class is responsible for conducting a wide variety of psychodiagnostic evaluations and tests in order to assess intellectual capacity, emotional function, capacity for life functions, abstract reasoning, memory, sequential reasoning, and other mental/emotional areas as they reflect mental health and behavior problems. A Psychologist is trained and licensed to conduct these intensive psychological tests, and considerable latitude for independent judgment, initiative and action is exercised. The employee applies mastery of the field of clinical psychology to interpret and apply new theories/developments to unusual conditions and psychological problems which are not always susceptible to treatment by conventional methods. Work is performed under the general direction of a program manager/administrator in accordance with applicable Federal, State and County regulations and policies. The work, which has a direct impact on the health and well-being of clients, is reviewed through records and conferences for effectiveness in meeting program objectives. A Psychologist performs highly analytical work in the application and interpretation of psychodiagnostic test results, and in the application of extensive forms of analysis to make a psychological diagnosis. Employees in this class may be assigned to the Police Department, and provide consultation services to management and supervisors concerning psychological issues, and develop and present recruit and in-service training. Work, which is primarily sedentary in nature and performed in an office environment, involves occasional exposure to aggressive and unpredictable behavior from clients.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Provides direct clinical service to clients which includes stabilizing
and managing individuals in mental health crises (crisis intervention);
independently conducting psychodiagnostic evaluations and formulating
diagnoses; providing individual, family and group psychotherapy; and establishing
and maintaining client records.
Participates in special studies and research projects; e.g., developing
data base for statistical analysis of client information, designing validation
study for psychological testing program, etc.
Interprets results of psychodiagnostic evaluations for referring staff
members; agencies requesting special evaluations, i.e., courts, schools,
and hospitals; as well as for patients and family members.
Provides consultation to management and supervisors concerning psychological
issues, and develops and presents training.
Administers, scores and interprets a wide range of standardized psychological
tests to measure and evaluate intellectual functioning, personality structure,
interest, aptitude and related psychological factors; prepares comprehensive
reports on such tests for use in diagnosis and treatment.
Collaborates with multi-disciplinary mental health team for treatment
planning, case review and consultation.
Provides clinical supervision and training to masters and doctoral level
students and volunteers.
Consults with County Government health care and social service professionals
and private service providers to establish and improve mental health programs
and services.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Two (2) years of post-doctoral experience in clinical therapeutic
practice, including diagnostic and psychological testing service experience.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
Doctoral degree in Psychology as defined in Title 18, Health Occupations
Article, Section 1-101(g) Annotated Code of Maryland.
Equivalency: None.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of, and the ability to apply the theories and principles
of psychology, human growth and development, normal and abnormal personality
development, and learning theory; interviewing techniques; and personality,
intelligence, interest and aptitude measurements.
Thorough knowledge of and the ability to apply psychological principles
and methods in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of
psychological problems, emotional and/or mental conditions of individuals
and groups.
Thorough knowledge of modern psychological tests, testing techniques and
procedures.
Thorough knowledge of the psychological services provided in a community
mental health program.
Thorough knowledge of applicable Federal, State and County laws and regulations.
Ability to administer, score and interpret difficult and complex psychological
tests.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with
clients and their families, County health care professionals and other
public and private health care-related agency representatives, and representatives
of the court and school systems.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside
the office as necessary.
LICENSE:
Certification by Maryland State Board of Examiners for Psychologists.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Limited Core Exam.
Class Established: December 1964
Revised: November 1969
January 1988
May 1996(M)
January 2006
Formerly titled: Psychologist III