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ABOLISHED 02/02/2017 PER PAY LETTER 17-11 - Staff Psychologist -Clinical, Correctional Facility (9290)

ABOLISHED 02/02/2017 PER PAY LETTER 17-11 - Staff Psychologist -Clinical, Correctional Facility

California State Personnel Board Specification

  • Schematic Code: XL95
  • Class Code: 9290
  • Established: 06/15/1993
  • Revised: --
  • Title Changed: --

Definition

Under direction, in a State correctional facility or outpatient clinic in the Department of Corrections or the Department of the Youth Authority, to carry out difficult assignments in clinical psychology which involve the assessment and treatment of youthful offenders or adults (including crisis intervention), program development and evaluation, clinical research, professional training, and consultation; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates or youthful offenders; to protect and maintain the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This class is concerned with the clinical range of psychological services and concentrates on the psychological aspects of mental disability, its alleviation, change and study. Employees in this class independently carry journeyperson assignments of clinical psychological work with a minimum of supervision. They may review the work of Clinical Psychology Interns and Psychology Associates and give general advice and assistance to them, but their primary responsibility is the completion of their staff assignments. Employees in the next higher level class of Senior Psychologist, Correctional Facility, supervise a project staff of Psychologists and other professional and preprofessionals or carry out particularly responsible and advanced assignments. Employees in the next lower class of Psychology Associate, Correctional Facility, who are appointed on a limited-term basis while completing degree requirements, are assigned lighter work loads and given close guidance and direction.

Typical Tasks

In a correctional setting, applies psychological knowledge and techniques to the problems of mental disorders of youthful offenders and adults in a correctional facility or clinic; conducts group and individual psychotherapy, psychodrama, family therapy, confrontive therapy, sensitivity training, behavior therapy, conditioning, and other forms of behavior modifications; selects, administers, scores and interprets personality, intelligence and other psychological tests; based on psychological tests and observations, case history, treatment progress and social factors, assesses patients needs and makes recommendations on admission, transfer, parole, discharge and therapeutic activities; provides crisis intervention with agitated, suicidal, and/or aggressive youthful offenders; consults with medical personnel regarding the findings of medical examinations and evidence of organic disturbances related to behavior disorders, and with nursing, social work, rehabilitation and other staff regarding precipitating events, complications and potential for adjustment; initiates and develops new programs for the treatment, training or rehabilitation of youthful offenders or inmates; evaluates and reports on current and new programs; participates in treatment team, staff and professional meetings; on request, acts as a consultant within the facility or area or to other agencies and groups; on request, testifies as an expert witness in court proceedings; may work with community groups to develop supportive resources and conduct mental health education; may participate in training programs for psychology interns, nurses, other staff, and volunteers; may participate in interviews for the selection of personnel; initiates, designs and reports on clinical psychological research and collaborates in other research projects and programs; consults with professional personnel on the technical aspects of research design and analysis of data; maintains familiarity with professional developments and research; may write articles for publication; compiles and analyzes statistics; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the California Department of Corrections or the Department of the Youth Authority; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves, others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches inmates or youthful offenders for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Completion of all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Psychology with specialization in clinical or child clinical psychology, from a recognized college or university. Graduates of foreign universities except Canadian, and graduates of unaccredited universities must meet the educational requirements for State licensure as a Psychologist as evidenced by a written statement from the Psychology Examining Committee of the Medical Board of California. This statement will also be required to determine the sufficiency of an academic specialty believed equivalent to those mentioned here. (Applicants who are within six months of receiving their degree will be admitted to the examination, but will not be eligible for appointment until receipt of the degree and completion of the internship or additional experience specified below.) and

 

Completion of a university-approved internship in clinical psychology equivalent to one full year of supervised training (1800 hours). The internship must be in addition to practicum work associated with specific academic courses or the doctoral dissertation. (One full year of experience in the practice of clinical psychologist may be substituted for the required internship provided it follows two years of graduate study in psychology.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Theories and research on personality and intellectual growth and development, human motivation, and disordered behavior; techniques of behavior modification including group and individual psychotherapy, remotivation, psychodrama and conditioning; uses, administration and interpretation of psychological tests and measurements; characteristics and social aspects of mental disorders and retardation; statistics as applied to tests and measurements; research methodology, design and data analysis; group dynamics; functions of psychology in various mental health or correctional settings; professional training in psychology and allied disciplines, and current trends in the field of mental health and correctional psychology; allied professional services and community organization.

 

Ability to: Assess behavior, identify normal and abnormal behavior tendencies; modify problems, attitudes and behavior; establish rapport with youthful offenders or inmates; recognizes situations requiring the creative application of technical skills; develop and evaluate creative approaches to the assessment and treatment of mental disorders and to the conduct of research; conduct research; evaluate biometric, psychiatric and psychological data; teach and participate in professional training; serve as a consultant; establish and maintain effective relationships with other personnel and community groups; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; prepare reports; and communicate effectively.

Special Personal Characteristics

Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; scientific and professional integrity, emotional stability, patience, alertness; tact; and keenness of observation.

Special Physical Characteristics

Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well- being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates or youthful offenders.

 

Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates or youthful offenders and/or the protection of personal and real property.

Additional Desirable Qualification

Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology.

  Updated: 8/2/2017
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