Purpose:
Diagnose or evaluate mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests, and formulate and administer programs of treatment.
Job Duties and Tasks:
1) Consult reference material such as textbooks, manuals, and journals in order to identify symptoms, to make diagnoses, and to develop approaches to treatment
2) Counsel individuals and groups regarding problems such as stress, substance abuse, and family situations, in order to modify behavior and/or to improve personal, social, and vocational adjustment.
3) Develop and implement individual treatment plans, specifying type, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy.
4) Discuss the treatment of problems with patients.
5) Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or treatments, and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, then modify plans and diagnoses as necessary.
6) Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues, and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, and reference materials.
7) Interact with patients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment
8) Observe individuals at play, in group interactions, or in other contexts to detect indications of mental deficiency, abnormal behavior, or maladjustment.
9) Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories, by interviewing individuals, couples, or families, and by reviewing records.
11) Select, administer, score, and interpret psychological tests in order to obtain information on individuals’ intelligence, achievements, interests, and personalities.
12) Utilize a variety of treatment methods such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, and play therapy.
13) Maintain current knowledge of relevant research.
14) Refer patients to other specialists, institutions, or support services as necessary.
15) Document in the electronic medical record on clients, and maintain required paperwork..
16) Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
17) Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Skills:
Excellent communication and listening skills.
Empathy and the ability to deal with people in distress.
Honesty and integrity.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Qualifications:
Must hold a doctoral degree in psychology and be licensed or certified, on the basis of the doctoral degree in psychology, by the state in which he/she practices, at the independent practice level of psychology to furnish diagnostic, assessment, preventive, and therapeutic services directly to individuals.
