Psychologist
Class Specifications – H.65
Psychologist III – 0793
Psychologist II – 9383
Psychologist I – 9384
March, 1978
Series Concept
Psychologists apply psychological principles, theories, methods, and techniques in the evaluation and treatment of patients with emotional or mental disorders; and perform other related duties as required.
Incumbents typically make psychodiagnostic appraisals; formulate treatment plans; utilize one or more therapeutic techniques to treat in-patients/out-patients; organize, structure, and conduct group therapy sessions; serve as resource persons for all members of a patient-care team; train and provide consultation to related staff professionals and paraprofessionals in clinical psychology; administer and interpret psychological tests which are used for diagnosing mental and personality disorders and for differentiating between organic and functional causes of behavior disorders; and prepare clinical reports.
Class Concepts
Psychologist III
Under general direction, incumbents are assigned responsibility for either (1) assisting in the administration of the total program of a psychiatric clinic, neuropsychiatric institute, or other facility; or (2) planning, organizing, and coordinating the work of a multidisciplinary treatment staff. Psychologist III’s direct the activities of several clinical psychologist and/or related professionals. Incumbents typically assist the Director in long-term planning; make administrative studies and revise/implement new procedures; conduct seminars for and train professional and paraprofessional staff members; and give psychotherapeutic treatment with emphasis on the most severely disturbed and high risk cases.
Psychologist II
Under direction, incumbents perform psychodiagnosis and psychotherapy on a full range of cases without limitation as to difficulty. Incumbents are professionally responsible for the soundness and validity of recommendations and services but are expected to seek advice from senior specialists on unusual or uniquely complex client responses or on problems outside their area of expertise. Psychologist II’s keep supervisors informed of the status and progress of individual cases and projects, and may participate in the training of lower level professionals and paraprofessionals. This is the operational level in the series.
Psychologist I
Under general supervision, incumbents perform psychodiagnosis and psychotherapy on the less difficult cases, typically those which do not have potentially serious social, medical or legal implications, or do not require extensive treatment. Assignments may be accompanied by a definition of the problems involved and a discussion of the objectives to be met, but not by instructions on the techniques or methods to be employed.
This is the first level of professional work in clinical psychology. Positions may be assigned to this level on a continuing basis.
Minimum Qualifications
Psychologist III
A Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology and three years of post-doctoral experience in clinical psychology; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of duties assigned to the position.
Psychologist II
A Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology and one year of post-doctoral experience in clinical psychology; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of duties assigned to the position.
Psychologist I
A Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of duties assigned to the position.