This is psychological service evaluation and coordination work reviewing psychological treatment programs, directing emergency services, and performing psychological testing for the clients of a mental retardation agency. The employee in this class directs contracted service workers providing emergency client assistance, administers psychological tests and interprets their results, monitors retarded client residential services, and reviews and analyzes psychological therapy plans produced by others to determine their appropriateness. Of major significance to the work is monitoring of contracted emergency service workers and oversight of community home managers, and frequent interaction with parents, clients, representatives of the Law and Police Departments, and with other departments and agencies. Work is performed under the general supervision of an administrative manager.

• Advises and directs contracted workers providing emergency services to retarded clients; discusses with and recommends corrective action to hospitals, police officers, managers of community shelters, and others, on behalf of retarded clients; discusses cases with and follows-up on action taken by emergency service worker and others; recommends procedural changes and improvements.
• Administers standard psychological tests to prospective clients; selects tests to be administered; analyzes and interprets test results to determine client's mental capabilities and to determine the existence of emotional disorder, or problems of drug and/or alcohol abuse; makes note of physical handicaps or afflictions; makes commitment recommendations based on psychological assessments and may testify in court.
• Investigates reports of abuse or neglect in contracted homes, community living arrangements (CLA'S), and in client's home; checks for compliance with agreements and regulations concerning minimum care and treatment; advises managers of institutions or parents in correction of problems; contacts Law and/or Police Departments to compel correction of cases of abuse or neglect; secures authorization letters and prepares involuntary commitment order as necessary; compiles information on and prepares reports concerning institutions and homes having patterns of abuse or neglect; recommends action against such homes to departmental administrators; testifies in court on basis for legal action taken.
• Reviews behavior modification programs prepared by contracted psychologist for appropriateness; reviews client records and may visit client to determine value and need for program; discusses possible changes with the contracted psychologist; provides technical and clinical assistance regarding behavior plans or other client services.
• Participates in evaluation of home environments occupied by retarded client to determine need for in-home services; recommends expenditure of Human Services Development Fund to provide for in-home services; evaluates performance of program and recommends improvements; analyzes range of client services, especially emergency services, and makes recommendations for new programs and funding sources.
• Recommends placement of retarded clients, following psychological evaluation; refers clients to school or training organization; meets with parents and/or clients to discuss proposed action; provides letters explaining actions to parents' legal counsel; discusses client problems and recommends action to other staff members or representatives of the Department of Human Services; coordinates with DHS client services to insure proper care and avoid duplication of effort.
• Prepares reports on activities of contractors, client progress results of inspection, and related matters; makes recommendation for specific corrective action or program improvements; prepares required statistical and narrative reports for the State and Department; maintains records on activities as basis for reports.
• Keeps abreast of developments in the field of retarded client services; prepares research articles for submission to professional journals; attends conferences, meetings, and training sessions concerning client service programs; may instruct other staff members in content of conferences and training sessions.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• the theories, principles, and procedures of modern psychology as applied to the mental retardation field.
• the principles, practices, methods, literature and developments in service to the mentally retarded.
• the laws, statutes, regulations and guidelines that concern the mentally retarded.
• administrative principles and practices as they apply to the management and coordination of services to the mentally retarded.
• psychometrics as applied to the mentally retarded population.
• the methods, practices and techniques of program analysis, planning, evaluation and monitoring, especially as they apply to service to the mentally retarded.
• the principles, practices and procedures of developing funding proposals or examining and analyzing them to determine their effectiveness.

ABILITY TO:

• administer and interpret standardized psychological tests.
• explain psychological concepts and therapeutic practices relative to the providing of services to the mentally retarded, in a court or legal hearing environment.
• gather information on service programs and operations and to analyze and evaluate service data for compliance with contract terms.
• interpret local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances and to resolve agency problems.
• prepare detailed written reports of findings, conclusions, and recommendations and to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• conduct site visits to program facilities and client's home.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with contacted staff agency officials and staff, associates, funding agency representatives and community groups.

• Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, counseling psychology, educational psychology or a related field which has included courses in psychometrics.
• Three years of psychological, or counseling experience in an agency or institution providing services for the mentally retarded.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

PAY RANGE: EP22
Class Established: 10/1989

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