Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP)

Position Function/Purpose

Serve on the district’s special education program’s assessment team. Conduct psychological evaluations of referred students. Plan and manage the psychological services program for students and parents. Coordinate interagency referrals and agreements. Provide training for teachers in special teaching methods and behavioral intervention. Provide supervision as needed by MISD for psychology interns, psychologists with temporary licensing, and Licensed Specialists with less than three years of experience.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of psychological theory, assessment of child and adolescent personality, knowledge of objective and projective personality measures.

• Knowledge of educational foundations

• Ability to manage programs effectively and efficiently

• Ability to demonstrate leadership of professional staff and provide clinical supervision

• Ability to interpret statistical educational data

• Knowledge of Special Education laws pertaining to the education of students with emotional disabilities.

Terms of Contract: According to district approved calendar

Major Responsibilities and duties:

Instructional Management

1. Provide psychological evaluations on referred students in a timely manner, keeping accurate, complete, and current records of psychological reports.

2. Participate and contribute information for campus ARD meetings.

3. Accurately utilize comprehensive assessment data and teacher/staff input in diagnosing individual student needs and placement.

4. Assist in setting goals and objectives for the individual educational plans for assigned students.

5. Assist school personnel and parents in planning and implementing the individual educational plan for appropriate students.

6. Coordinate parent training activities and events for students in self-contained programs or who are diagnosed with pervasive developmental disabilities.

7. Offer suggestions and training to teachers and administrators for more effective methods of teaching individuals with developmental disabilities.

8. As needed by the District, provide direct, systematic, face-to-face supervision as required under the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) Act of all LSSP psychology interns, and/or individuals with a temporary LSSP license.

School/Organization Climate

9. Initiate and encourage communication between special and regular education teachers.

10. Work cooperatively with others in campus and district programs.

11. Support programs and actions that facilitate a positive, caring climate for learning and an orderly, purposeful environment.

School/Organization Improvement

12. Support the administration and administrative policies of the district and the campus.

13. Have a clear sense of the psychologist’s purpose and be actively involved I the design and implementation of the district programs for special education students.

14. Identify, analyze, and apply research findings to facilitate school improvement.

15. Utilize appropriate information systems and records necessary for attainment of the special education department’s mission and overall school improvement.

16. Make recommendations to the administration concerning the design and implementation of the district programs for the emotionally disturbed.

17. Make recommendations to the administration concerning crisis intervention and school violence issues.

Student Management

18. Select and administer evaluative instruments for the purpose of diagnosing individual students’ needs.

19. Determine the presence or absence of emotional, behavioral and autistic disorders and file a report of these finding to the ARD committee.

20. Provide psychotherapeutic services to students when necessary.

21. Provide consultation to special education classes for the emotionally disturbed concerning behavior management.

22. Make recommendations to the ARD committee for consideration of additional psychological and psychiatric services when appropriate.

23. Assist the Special Education Director in monitoring the district’s compliance with regulations related to students with emotional disabilities especially as related to student discipline.

School/Community Relations

24. Employ problem-solving and decision-making strategies in dealing with students, parents, and staff.

25. Interpret test results to school personnel, parents, and outside agencies, as appropriate.

26. Serve as a resource person by conferring with students, school personnel, parents, and outside agencies for the purpose of gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information.

27. Accurately represent the policies, programs, and goals of the district’s special education program.

28. Cooperate with community health and social welfare agencies.

29. Interpret school psychological services to teachers and parents.

30. Emphasize and facilitate communication between the school and community.

Professional Growth and Development

31. Maintain and project a professional image.

32. Be receptive to supervision and suggestions from others.

33. Protect personal and/or confidential information about students, teachers and parents.

34. Display self-control, poise, and positive attitudes in times of stress and/or conflict.

35. Observe designated working hours and fulfill responsibilities beyond those hours when appropriate.

36. Manage time efficiently.

37. Be knowledgeable concerning the application of local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines for special education.

38. See means to develop professionally by participating in workshops, in-services, state and regional meetings and conferences.

39. Plan and conduct in-services for regular education staff members in order to disseminate current special education information.

40. Perform such other duties as may be assigned or as may be necessary for job effectiveness.

41. Assist with in-service training of school personnel.

42. Keep abreast of new developments in the field.

43. Utilize information and insights gained in professional development programs for self-improvement.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervise and evaluate the performance of personnel as assigned.

Equipment used

• telephone

• Computer and printer

• Calculator

• Copy Machine

Work conditions

Emotional – Moderate emotional control under stress

Physical – Moderate carrying and lifting, standing, sitting, walking, use of fingers, eyes and ears.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities. Additionally, the minimum level of education noted as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) as determined by the hiring manager.