School Psychologist

Position Type:
Student Support Services/Psychologist

JOB PURPOSE
Provides direct support and interventions to students; consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies; work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. Position performs specialized psychological work in an educational setting to enable students to achieve optimal learning. Position collects, interprets, and synthesizes information about a student's sensory motor/perceptual functioning, academic achievement, intelligence, social/emotional adjustment, and significant crises that influence academic and behavioral functioning. Position works cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team member to provide services and to devise appropriate services for referred students and their families.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Maintains an accurate and effective working knowledge of the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, other applicable federal and state disability laws and their implementing regulations as they relate to school psychology in general, and to the roles and responsibilities of a School Psychologist as defined by the National Association of School Psychologists:

Improve Academic Achievement

• Promote student motivation and engagement
• Conduct psychological and academic assessments
• Individualize instruction and interventions
• Manage student and classroom behavior
• Monitor student progress
• Collect and interpret student and classroom data
• Reduce inappropriate referrals to special education.

Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

• Improve students communication and social skills
• Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Promote problem solving, anger management, and conflict resolution
• Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
• Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
• Make referrals to and coordinate services with community-based providers

Support Diverse Learners

• Assess diverse learning needs
• Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
• Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities