PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANT - UNDERFILL

Responsibilities

Administer, score and interpret a wide variety of diagnostic and projective tests in order to evaluate and diagnose clients, patients, parolees, students or inmates; write comprehensive psychological reports to include test results, clinical observations, findings and recommendations; document services provided in client charts.

Provide crisis intervention services; de-escalate clients who are hostile, combative or physically aggressive, following established agency policies; refer clients to community resources or other agencies; arrange for residential or inpatient admissions as necessary.

Participate in treatment team meetings to discuss the status and progress of clients and recommend specific courses of treatment; develop treatment plans or individualized functional analysis programs; provide individual, family and group therapy and substance abuse counseling utilizing a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques.

Perform psycho-sexual evaluations on sex offenders to include diagnostic classification and a report summary identifying the diagnosis, risk assessment, mental health assessment, education level, family and medical history, statement of amenability to treatment, and suggested treatment interventions.

Review psychosocial assessments written by other clinicians to monitor and evaluate treatment effectiveness, determine eligibility for program services or benefits applying the appropriate laws and regulations; consult with treating clinicians; ensure service delivery goals are met; and documentation is completed according to agency policy and applicable regulations and/or accreditation requirements.

Record information necessary to bill for services and recommend third party payments as appropriate.

Provide oral and written court testimony as a witness regarding the mental status of clients and evaluation findings which may include recommendations for involuntary commitments.

Plan, develop and coordinate program services to meet the needs of the population served; participate in committees and facility activities in developing service delivery needs assessments and evaluations, policies and procedures; assist in writing and administering grants; prepare documentation required for budget development and monitor expenditures; and participate in accrediting and quality review programs.

Develop and conduct presentations or training programs for clients, families, community groups and agency staff as assigned.

Requirements

• An active doctoral psychology internship agreement and/or a certificate of successful completion of a doctoral psychology internship program is required at the time of application.
• Psychological Assistants must be approved as a Registered Psychological Assistant by the State of Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners at the time of appointment and must remain in good standing with the Board as a condition of continuing employment.
• A pre-employment criminal history check and fingerprinting are required. Persons offered employment in this position will be required to pay for these items.
• This position requires up to 25% of travel.
• A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and as a condition of continuing employment.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Working knowledge of: American Psychological Association Code of Ethics and State laws and regulations related to the practice of psychology; reference books including psychological treatment, diagnostic and statistical manuals; theories, principles and practices of psychological testing and interpretation of test results.
• General knowledge of: types, etiology, and treatment of mental disorders; clinical assessment methods; detailed therapeutic principles and techniques used in providing psychological services to clients with mental illness, intellectual and related disabilities; psychopharmacology; crisis intervention techniques; agency and community resources; normal and abnormal human behavior and development; educational and learning disorders; client rights and confidentiality of information.
• Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, inmates, co-workers, and the public; conduct clinical and mental status evaluations and interviews; administer, score and interpret psychological tests; communicate test results in written and oral form; diagnose mental illness, intellectual and related disabilities; assess client behavior and develop goals for therapy; and facilitate therapeutic individual, group, and family counseling sessions.

  Benefits

  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
  • Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
  • Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
  • Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
  • Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).
  • Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
  • No Nevada state income tax.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
  • Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.