Psychologist (Health Facility Safety) (Various Specialties) Consolidated Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established August 1, 2000

Scope

This consolidated series specification describes classes used by the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, or at correctional facilities or psychiatric outpatient clinics contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services, which are concerned with providing psychological services in a health facility for forensic clients, patients, or inmates who are developmentally or mentally disordered offenders. Specific classes have been established for the following specialties:

Definition of Series

Persons in this series of specialty classes apply psychological knowledge and techniques to the problems of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This consolidated series of classes is distinguished from the classes in the Psychologist (Health Facility) consolidated class series by the custody requirements imposed by the criminal nature of the forensic client, patient, or inmate population and by the security features of correctional facilities, developmental centers, or State hospitals. In addition, this consolidated class series is distinguished from the nonlicensed Psychologist (Various Specialties) consolidated class series by the fact that it is only used in a health facility or in other settings where possession of a valid license as a Psychologist is legally required.

Typical Tasks

Conduct various forms of group and individual therapy, including behavior modification and psychotherapy; select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests; assess forensic clients, patients, or inmates and make recommendations on admission, transfer, discharge, and therapeutic activities; consult with medical personnel regarding forensic client, patient, or inmate status; evaluate and report on current and new programs; participate in treatment team, staff, and professional meetings; serve as consultants within the facility or to other agencies and groups; may work with community groups to develop supportive resources and conduct mental health education; may participate in training programs for other staff and volunteers; may participate in interviews for the selection of personnel; initiate, design, collaborate, and report on psychological research or program evaluation; may write articles for publication; may compile and analyze statistics; and observe and intervene in instances of disruptive or assaultive behavior.

Assist staff in the counting, distribution, and accounting for all utensils to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting facility to identify security breaches that could lead to forensic client, patient, or inmate escape; and observing and intervening in forensic client, patient, or inmate behavior that may signal an impending escape attempt.

While all Psychologists in health facilities will be involved in a wide range of psychological services, staff assignments will differ among the five specialties in both kind and emphasis:

Clinical

The psychological aspects of mental disability, its alleviation, change, and study.

Counseling

Rehabilitation and the occupational and environmental aspects of adaptation and adjustment.

Educational

Learning and achievement and the psychological aspects of training, remedial, and special education.

Experimental

The application of research techniques for the scientific study and control of maladaptive and disturbed behavior, and to further basic knowledge of human behavior.

Social

The impact of community and social forces on behavior and adjustment, social interaction, and group process.

Minimum Qualifications

All Classes:

License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. and Possession of the education and experience for the appropriate specialty (Clinical, Counseling, Educational, Experimental, or Social) as outlined in Section 1396 of the Board of Psychology's Regulations.

Individuals who do not qualify for licensure by the California Board of Psychology or who are in the process of securing this license will be admitted into the examination and may be appointed, but must secure a valid license within three years of an appointment or the employment shall be terminated. For persons employed less than full time, an extension of a waiver of licensure may be granted for additional years proportional to the extent of part-time employment, as long as the person is employed without interruption in service, but in no case shall the waiver exceed five years.

(Unlicensed individuals who are recruited from outside the State of California and who qualify for licensure may take the examination and may be appointed for a maximum of two years at which time licensure shall have been obtained or the employment shall be terminated. Additionally, they must take the licensure examination at the earliest possible date after the date of employment.)

Clinical

Education: Completion of all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Psychology from a recognized college or university with specialization in clinical or child clinical psychology. [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 California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. 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.)]

Counseling

Education: Completion of all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Psychology from a recognized college or university with specialization in counseling or industrial or rehabilitation psychology. [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 California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. 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.)]

Educational

Education: Completion of all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Psychology from a recognized college or university with specialization in educational, developmental, or school psychology; or special education or mental retardation with specialization in psychology. [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 California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. 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.)]

Experimental

Education: Completion of all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Psychology from a recognized college or university with specialization in experimental (such as psychophysics, statistics, learning, or motivation) or physiological (such as neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, psychobiology, or behavior genetics) psychology or applied behavior analysis or modifications. [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 California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. 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.)]

Social

Education: Completion of all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Psychology from a recognized college or university with specialization in social or community psychology; or sociology with a minor in psychology or mental health. [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 California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. 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.)]

Knowledge and Abilities

All Classes:

Knowledge of: (With particular reference to their specialty.) Psychological theories and research; principles, techniques, and problems in developing and coordinating a specialized psychological treatment program; principles, techniques, and trends in psychology with particular reference to normal and disordered behavior, human development, motivation, personality learning, individual differences, adaptation, and social interaction; methods for the assessment and modification of human behavior; characteristics and social aspects of mental disorders and retardation; research methodology and program evaluation; institutional and social process; group dynamics; functions of psychologists in various mental health services; current trends in the field of mental health; professional training; and community organization and allied professional services.

Ability to: Plan, organize, and work in a specialized psychological treatment program involving members of other treatment disciplines; provide professional consultation and program leadership; teach and participate in professional training; recognize situations requiring the creative application of technical skills; develop and evaluate creative approaches to the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of mental disorders, to the conduct of research, and to the development and direction of a psychological program; plan, organize, and conduct research, data analysis, and program evaluation; conduct assessment and psychological treatment procedures; secure the cooperation of professional and lay groups; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; and communicate effectively.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Classes:

An interest and a willingness to work at developmental centers, State hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; possession of scientific and professional integrity; alertness; tact; patience; and emotional stability.

Special Physical Characteristics

All Classes:

Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

Drug Testing Requirement

All Classes:

Applicants for positions in these classes are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

Class History