What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Psychologist position at Perkins School for the Blind?
Perkins helps children with disabilities find their place in the world. An international NGO, we are committed to delivering best-in-class education to children, providing immersive training and support to professionals and families, advocating for inclusion, and accelerating innovation for people with disabilities. At Perkins, we think courageously, act collaboratively, and we own our work. Join a supportive community committed to growth where your work makes a difference.
What You Can Expect in this Role:
As our School Psychologist, you will thrive in our collaborative, supportive and gratifying Deafblind Program. Experience working in a school where students needs come first and your contributions have a global impact.
As a key member of our program, you will provide direct psychotherapeutic individual and group counseling and perform diagnostic evaluations for students who are blind, visually impaired, Deafblind multiply impaired.
You will provide in-service training related to clinical issues to program staff, work with families of enrolled students, provide case management services, design individual and group behavior management programs, provide crisis intervention in classroom or cottage; and provide ongoing support and consultation regarding behavioral concerns to program staff. You will provide or arrange for psycho-diagnostic testing of students within the program on a periodic basis.
You are a member of a unique interdisciplinary program team that provides educational, prevocational/vocational, and residential services.
We’d love to talk with you if you're interested in having an impact by:
- Participating as a member of the interdisciplinary evaluation team; Acting as liaison between Perkins and other mental health professionals who have direct contact with students.
- Providing crisis intervention to students as needed and assist in making necessary referrals to specialists; Provide ongoing consultation to program staff.
- Planning, developing and implementing behavior management programs for individual students and communicate this information and coordinate consistent application of the program to the appropriate individuals.
- Providing consultation to families regarding approved behavior management techniques.
- Serving as a consultant on research related to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, Deafblind and multiply impaired.
- Developing or adapting measurement instruments for use with individuals who are blind, visually impaired, Deafblind and multiply impaired.
- Participating in program meetings, case reviews, triennial evaluations and IEP meetings and prepare reports of current progress and needs of the students.
- Providing formal and informal in-service training to staff members.
- Participating in the screening of evaluation of individuals referred for placement and participate on interdisciplinary teams to determine admissions and future programming.
- Making professional contributions to the field including planning and participating in workshops, delivering presentations at conferences, conducting research in the field and preparing articles for publication in professional journals.
- Providing field placement supervision and act as a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students when requested.
- Preparing reports based on observations and assessments of students; Maintaining appropriate current records on students.
- Collecting and preparing statistical data regarding service delivery as requested.
Education Requirements:
- Master’s Degree required from a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) approved college or university in school psychology; Massachusetts DESE Certification as School Psychologist required with three (3) years experience as a school psychologist.
We have benefits that put you first, including an employer contributing retirement plan, tuition reimbursement from day one, professional development for our employees, personal days, paid time off and paid sick leave. Our campus is quaint, charming and historical, a perfect mix of legacy and modern buildings. It is located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and a 5 minute drive from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.
