Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Job Description Summary:

• To provide advanced level of pediatric clinical services to patients and families presenting with psychiatric, psychological, and behavioral health problems across the continuum of care as well as education, training, and research.  Provides clinical leadership and coordination of additional assigned activities

Major Responsibilities:

Provision of Clinical Services

• 1) Administers and interprets appropriate diagnostic instruments including patient and family interviews and neuropsychological tests to determine a patient's level of cognitive, psychological, emotional and behavioral functioning, including their adjustment to injury/illness. Recommends appropriate treatment plan and documents according to established department procedures and hospital policies.
• 2) )Prepares psychological testing report and documents findings according to established procedures and standards. Communicates results and treatment plan to patient and family, and referring provider.
• 3) Conducts preliminary assessments to determine the appropriateness of the psychological testing as well as the selection of appropriate tests designed to address specific diagnostic questions.
• 4)Educates patient and family (where appropriate) regarding the nature of the patient's illness, it's expected course, treatment of illness and alternative treatments.
• 5)Formulates goal-oriented treatment plan with expected outcomes in collaboration with the patient and family where appropriate.
• 6)Assesses patient's and the patient family's level of understanding and motivation and level of compliance to engage in treatment according to plan, including their expected roles in the treatment process and makes appropriate changes in treatment plan as needed.
• 7)Provides diagnostic consultative services as ordered by the physician.
• 8)Develops strategies where appropriate to assist families and other health care providers in management of the patient's behaviors and illness.

Program Specific Activities

•     1)Provides programmatic support to referring pediatric clinical programs, including but not limited to Sports Medicine/Concussion, Midwest Children's Brain Tumor Center, Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Pediatrics. One day/week will be spent supporting Cardiology referrals.
• 2)Provides management teams with regular reports regarding all aspects of program development and evaluation.
• 3)Evaluates program performance in terms of process and outcome, suggesting functional improvements as necessary.
• 4)Works collaboratively with other staff and clinical and administrative professionals on projects of any nature.
• 5)Coordinates the clinical services of staff providing clinical supervision as appropriate and as assigned.
• 6)Other duties as assigned.

Education and Training

•     1)Provides health care providers (i.e. psychologists, physicians, residents, nurses, therapists, social workers, aids) with education regarding neuropsychological factors in illness, treatment, and recovery from illness as well as approach to and management of patient and families.
•     2)Presents educational material in formal settings (i.e. rounds, seminars) to clinicians inside and outside of the hospital setting as assigned.
•     3)Provide clinical training and supervision to psychology graduate students, medical residents and students according to departmental procedures, hospital policies, Division and Department standards, and Standards of Practice for Psychologists.

Professional Growth & Development

•     1)Provides clinical services in a professional and customer friendly manner.
•     2)Conducts self in a professional and courteous manner with concern and respect for both internal and external customer needs.
•     3)Provides professional services in strict accordance with Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Psychological Association for Licensed Clinical Psychologists.
•     4)All documentation of clinical services in the patient medical record and maintenance of the medical records are completed according to established departmental procedures; Division and departmental guidelines, hospital policies and Standards of Practice.
•     5)Attends and participates in all appropriate patient staffings to facilitate multidisciplinary treatment planning and care of patients and families, as well as aftercare planning collaborating with other health care providers on issues regarding patient treatment and management.
•     6)Attends and participates in continuing education for clinical neuropsychologists working with patients with psychiatric, psychological or behavioral health problems in accordance with standards set forth by the Division of Psychology / Department of Psychiatry.
•     7)Reports on conferences, seminars and workshops attended at appropriate department meetings for the purpose of informing and educating colleagues.
•     8)Maintains licensure through CME certifications and medical staff privileges at affiliated sites

Departmental Activities

•    1)Attends and actively participates in Division Training Activities if involved in Psychology student training.
•     2)Attends and participates in all relevant team, department, and division administrative and planning meetings as assigned or appropriate.
•     3)Other duties as assigned

Licensure:

• Licensed Clinical Psychologist, State of Illinois.

Education/Experience Required:

• Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology or Neuropsychology from an APA accredited graduate program.
• Completion of APA accredited Predoctoral Internship / Residency in Clinical psychology.
• Graduate curriculum / coursework and clinical training which reflects preparation to function as a psychologist ( or specialty in neuropsychology.
• Five years clinical experience, including one year predoctoral internship / residency, one year minimum post-graduate (doctoral level) clinical experience supervised by a licensed Clinical Psychologist and at least 3 years of clinical experience in area of specialization in clinical psychology. (e.g. , Clinical Psychology, Pediatric Neuropsychology)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Advanced knowledge of and skills in psychodiagnostic assessment and evaluation, psychotherapy and psychological testing commensurate with the level of education and training and as appropriate for the area of specialization (i.e., Clinical psychologist, Health psychologist, Neuropsychologist, Rehabilitation Psychologist, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of and skills in case conceptualization, formulation of behavioral treatment plan and collaborative and multidisciplinary treatment planning.
• Advanced knowledge of and skills in psychiatric diagnosis using current DSM criteria.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Ethical Principles and Standards of Practice for Psychologists (APA).
• Advanced knowledge of and skills in customer-oriented service and customer satisfaction (Internal and External customers).
• Basic understanding of and skills in teaching and education, clinical supervision, and training and research.
• Basic knowledge of clinical leadership, coordination of clinical activities.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work in a brief managed care friendly model with patients and families across the continuum of care.
• Ability to work well with multidisciplinary team including MD, ST, OT, PT, SW.
• Ability to provide care in accordance with clinical parameters set by the Associate Medical Director of the Health Plan (ALGHP).
• Accountabilities percentages may vary dependent on the type of job (Neuropsychologist, Clinical Psychologist).
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.