What are the responsibilities and job description for the Psychological Assistant II position at Wrentham Developmental Center?
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
About the Department of Developmental Services:
For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds
Pre-Hire Process:
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
- Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:
- Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry
- Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
- National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.
For technical help with MassCareers, including logging into your profile and/or resetting your password, please call the Employee Service Center at 617-979-8500 for assistance.
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4.
ALL EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ON A BI-WEEKLY BASIS AND MUST HAVE DIRECT DEPOSIT.
This is a Civil Service position. If there is no Civil Service list for this title, employees appointed must take and pass the next Civil Service examination when administered.
Comprehensive Benefits
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