CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Code: 05559 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, performs psychological assessments, group, individual, or family therapy evaluations, and treatment of patients with problems of personality, emotional adjustment, or mental illness; administers and interprets psychological tests used for diagnosing mental and personality disorders, prepares reports and recommendations, and performs psychotherapeutic tasks; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Organizes assigned established work program in the field of psychological testing and/or psychotherapy and develops appropriate work methods.
• Either alone or as a member of a patient care team assesses, evaluates, and treats patients with problems of personality, emotional adjustment, or mental illness.
• Administers and interprets a wide variety of standardized group and individual psychological tests used for diagnosing mental and personality disorders.
• Uses data derived from psychological tests to diagnose disorders and formulates or assists the patient care team in formulating an appropriate course of treatment.
• Treats psychological disorders to effect improved adjustments utilizing various accepted psychotherapeutic techniques, and becomes familiar with the family, social, and economic forces that affect clients and patients.
• Selects the approach to use in individual therapy, such as directive, nondirective, and supportive therapy, and plans frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
• Takes an active part in special research studies dealing with psychological and behavioral problems.
• Collects and analyzes data and prepares reports.
• Participates in education projects, case conferences, and seminars.
• Drafts correspondence and prepares psychological, psychosocial, statistical, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Psychology with completion of a one (1) year supervised clinical internship.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of theory and practice of clinical psychology and of therapeutic techniques and treatment. Knowledge of problems involved in administering various types of tests and in scoring, analyzing, and interpreting tests and test results. Ability to carry out assigned work in the field of psychological testing and/or psychotherapy and to develop effective work methods in accord with established procedures. Ability to work effectively with children and adult patients, associates, subordinates, supervisory officials, and other persons interested in, or concerned with, the mental health and psychology programs of the institution or clinic. Ability to select and administer psychometric, vocational, aptitude, performance, and special tests to children and adults; ability to score the tests, and to analyze and interpret the results; ability to correlate the results of tests with other findings. Ability to conduct special studies of behavior and other problems. Ability to do assigned research work. Ability to keep current with literature, trends of thought, and new developments in the field of psychology, psychometry, and research. Ability to collect materials for and prepare clear, accurate, and informative psychological, statistical, and other reports, containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to draft correspondence. Ability to assist in the establishment and maintenance of the essential psychology records, studies, and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or, related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. LC N/A25-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A25- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 11/23/1996