Psychological Assistant II

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking a motivated and experienced individual for the Psychological Assistant II position. The selected candidate for this position will provide a full range of psychological services including conduct assessments, create positive behavioral support plans, attend meetings, training staff, provide input into Medication Treatment Plans, and Individual Service Plans (ISPs), and provide individual and group counseling.

Job Responsibilities: (The duties and responsibilities stated are general summary and not all inclusive.)

· Responsible for staff training on individual treatment programs within the unit.

· Provides direct hands-on individual training and active involvement with assigned caseload, managing aggression, self-injury, socially inappropriate behavior and providing skill acquisition training programs

· Provides crisis intervention during behavioral/psychiatric emergencies including application of restraint techniques as required.

· Provides clinical assessments using appropriate psychological testing/assessment tools in evaluating individual residents as required, under the ultimate supervision of a licensed psychologist.

· Develops and implements systems for data collection with all residents who receive psychoactive medication and/or who have behavioral treatment programs, as assigned.

· Is knowledgeable about classes of medication and specific drugs that affect behavior and psychiatric conditions and works with medical staff and psychiatry on assessment of behavioral effects of those medications, using a data-based model.

· Uses computer spreadsheet and graphing programs such as Microsoft Excel to organize and graphically present data for all individuals with restrictive treatment plans, those on psychoactive medication and others as assigned.

· Works under the clinical supervision of a licensed psychologist.

· Has knowledge of the principles and techniques of Applied Behavior Analysis, including single subject methodology and remains current in the relevant research literature through professional development and attendance at professional conferences.

· Evaluates residents and determines their need for psychological services, as assigned.

· Maintains his/her area within the Psychology Dept. Microsoft Access database on a regular basis as required to keep it current.

· Carries clinical caseload of adults with intellectual challenges residing at the Wrentham Developmental Center as assigned by Director of Psychology, spending the majority of time in direct psychological services to these individuals

· Develops Behavioral/Psychological treatment plans, using current appropriate clinical techniques.

· Maintains his/her area within the Psychology Dept. Microsoft Access database on a regular basis as required to keep it current.

· Ability to develop effective client training programs, working under supervision.

· Strong interpersonal skills.

· Performs other related professional duties as required.

· Works within an interdisciplinary team approach in development and implementation of treatment programs and in transitioning individuals into community placement.

· Trains and supports other staff, professional, paraprofessional and direct care, in the use of psychological techniques to change behavior and foster learning.

· Attends and participates in annual reviews, quarterly reviews and team meetings, drug reviews and other meetings regarding residents, as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of general and developmental psychology.

· Improves knowledge of psychological theory and research through journals, textbooks, inservices and professional conferences as appropriate, on an ongoing basis.

· Skill at communication using sign language, when required.

· Ability to work within an interdisciplinary service delivery system.

· Uses the facility computer network to develop and maintain all written clinical work and all data analysis and to store all programs and assessments.

· Uses the facility computer network to correspond with other clinical staff and administrators as required.

· Functions as a clinical resource to the interdisciplinary team on issues of human development, assessment and particularly the application of Behavior Modification technology to all areas of individual training and data collection and analysis using single subject research methodology.

· Knowledge of crisis management procedures.

· Knowledge of Positive Behavior Support and Trauma Informed Care

Agency Requirements:

- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Wrentham Developmental Center a Title XIX Facility requires a Master’s Degree due to Code of Federal Regulations § 483.430 Condition of participation: Facility staffing, to be designated as a psychologist, individual must have at least a Master's degree in psychology from an accredited school: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483.

Please Note:

This position is located in the Wrentham Developmental Center, in Wrentham, MA.

Schedule Information:

Full-time – 40-hour weekly position

Schedule – Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Days off – Sunday and Saturday

Flexibility required to meet the needs of the program.

About the Department of Developmental Services:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2.7B operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds