PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANT

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is currently recruiting for a Psychological Assistant in Reno, Nevada.

This recruitment will be used to underfill positions within the Licensed Psychologist series.

Advancement to the next level may occur after meeting the minimum qualifications, satisfactory performance, and with endorsement of the appointing authority.

This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies as they occur in the following program(s): Sierra Regional Center, Nevada Early Intervention Services, and Rural Regional Center.

The Psychological Assistant must have completed a doctoral program and register with Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners. An applicant who is currently licensed in another state will be expected to obtain licensure in Nevada.

This position in Developmental Services provides support to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including Autism, Seizure Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Many of the individuals served also present with co-occurring mental health diagnoses.

Key responsibilities include conducting psychological evaluations, providing consultation and counseling, delivering behavioral support, facilitating individual, family, and group therapies, managing crises and providing interventions/recommendations.

All work is guided by the principles of Person-Centered Planning and Positive Behavior Support, in alignment with the agency’s mission.

The incumbent will collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team of psychologists and clinicians dedicated to supporting community-based services.

ADSD fosters a positive, inclusive, and diverse work environment that values innovation, teamwork, and collaboration.

The mission of ADSD is to empower individuals and their support systems by providing resources for disabilities and aging - connecting Nevadans to services and improving their quality of life.

Licensed Psychologists provide psychological testing, evaluation, psychotherapy, counseling, and consultation to clients or inmates in residential, inpatient and outpatient settings, at a mental health, intellectual disabilities, or correctional facility, or in other settings where psychological services are provided.

Professional duties are performed in accordance with license requirements of the State of Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners.

An active doctoral psychology internship agreement and/or a certificate of successful completion of a doctoral psychology internship program is required at the time of application.

• Administer, score and interpret a wide variety of diagnostic and projective tests in order to evaluate and diagnose clients, patients, parolees, students or inmates;
• Write comprehensive psychological reports to include test results, clinical observations, findings and recommendations;
• Document services provided in client charts.

• Participate in treatment team meetings to discuss the status and progress of clients and recommend specific courses of treatment;
• Develop treatment plans or individualized functional analysis programs;
• Provide individual, family and group therapy and substance abuse counseling utilizing a variety of psychotherapeutic techniques.

• Review psychosocial assessments written by other clinicians to monitor and evaluate treatment effectiveness, determine eligibility for program services or benefits applying the appropriate laws and regulations;
• Consult with treating clinicians;
• Ensure service delivery goals are met;
• And documentation is completed according to agency policy and applicable regulations and/or accreditation requirements.

• Record information necessary to bill for services and recommend third party payments as appropriate.

• Plan, develop and coordinate program services to meet the needs of the population served;
• Participate in committees and facility activities in developing service delivery needs assessments and evaluations, policies and procedures;
• Assist in writing and administering grants;
• Prepare documentation required for budget development and monitor expenditures;
• And participate in accrediting and quality review programs.

• Develop and conduct presentations or training programs for clients, families, community groups and agency staff as assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Under the direct clinical supervision of a Licensed Psychologist, incumbents perform the duties described above in a trainee capacity. Incumbents may be automatically progressed to Licensed Psychologist I upon receipt of licensure as a psychologist in the State of Nevada.

Working knowledge of:

• American Psychological Association Code of Ethics and State laws and regulations related to the practice of psychology;
• reference books including psychological treatment, diagnostic and statistical manuals;
• theories, principles and practices of psychological testing and interpretation of test results.

General knowledge of:

• types, etiology, and treatment of mental disorders;
• clinical assessment methods;
• detailed therapeutic principles and techniques used in providing psychological services to clients with mental illness, intellectual and related disabilities;
• psychopharmacology;
• crisis intervention techniques;
• agency and community resources;
• normal and abnormal human behavior and development;
• educational and learning disorders;
• client rights and confidentiality of information.

Ability to:

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, inmates, co-workers, and the public;
• conduct clinical and mental status evaluations and interviews;
• administer, score and interpret psychological tests;
• communicate test results in written and oral form;
• diagnose mental illness, intellectual and related disabilities;
• assess client behavior and develop goals for therapy;
• and facilitate therapeutic individual, group, and family counseling sessions.