Job Description and Duties

The Senior Psychologist (Specialist) will be directed by the Chief of Psychology and/or delegated Senior Psychologist, Supervisor in the Department of Centralized Psychological Assessment Services (C-PAS) at the Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Provide centralized, hospital-wide neuropsychological assessment of patients by referral from treatment teams and unit psychologists
• Medical chart reviews, clinical neuropsychological patient interviews
• Diagnose neuropsychological impairment, develop and recommend patient-specific clinical management interventions
• Communicate neuropsychological evaluation results via written and, as needed, via oral reports
• Continually assess neuropsychological instruments
• Consultation regarding neuropsychological evaluations and/or rehabilitation
• Provide assessment support and consultation
• Consultation to Psychology Department, hospital administration, and other staff regarding the functioning of the Neuropsychology Service
• Provide cognitive remediation treatment / training
• The Senior Psychologist Specialist in Neuropsychology will provide advanced training in the selection, administration and interpretation of neuropsychological assessment procedures and other neuropsychological issues as requested
• Development of aggregate databases for neuropsychological assessment and cognitive screening data

In order to be considered for this job vacancy, you must satisfy one of the following requirements:
1. BE LIST ELIGIBLE: Successfully complete the competitive State civil service exam pertaining to this classification at Senior Psychologist (Health Facility) (Specialist) Exam Bulletin, OR
2. BE TRANSFER ELIGIBLE: Have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable (employees who wish to be considered based on transfer eligibility must meet the minimum qualifications of the classification per DPA Rule 250), OR
3. BE REINSTATEMENT ELIGIBLE: Have obtained previous permanent employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable.

*Minimum qualifications will be verified prior to being scheduled for an interview. Please provide proof of minimum qualifications with your application submission, which may include a copy of your unofficial college transcripts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology and possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code. Individuals who do not qualify for licensure by the California Board of Psychology or who are in the process of securing this license will be admitted into the examination and may be appointed, but must secure a valid license within three years of an appointment or the employment shall be terminated. For persons employed less than full time, an extension of a waiver of licensure may be granted for additional years proportional to the extent of part-time employment, as long as the person is employed without interruption in service, but in no case shall the waiver exceed five years. (Unlicensed individuals who are recruited from outside the State of California and who qualify for licensure may take the examination and may be appointed for a maximum of two years at which time licensure shall have been obtained or the employment shall be terminated. Additionally, they must take the licensure examination at the earliest possible date after the date of employment.) and Experience: Either I One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Psychologist (Health Facility) (any specialty), or Staff Psychologist (any specialty); or II Two years of postdoctoral, postinternship experience in the practice of psychology involving assessment and treatment and either training, research, consultation, or program planning in mental health services.

*If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant’s name may be removed from the eligibility list.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position may require you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).

Effective October 1, 2021, in accordance with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) State Public Health Order of August 5, 2021, all workforce members in DSH state hospitals are required to be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccination regimen. Prior to your first day, you will be required to fill out a COVID-19 Vaccination Consent Form.

In accordance with the CDPH State Public Health Order of January 25, 2022, hospital workforce members currently eligible for booster doses must have received their booster dose following the below guidelines:

• If you are fully vaccinated, you must provide verification of a booster dose for COVID-19 no later than March 1, 2022 or prior to your start date (whichever occurs first).
• If you are not fully vaccinated, you have the option to receive a vaccine from one of the State Hospitals prior to your start date.
• If you are not fully vaccinated and choose to complete a request for an exemption, you must submit this exemption and receive approval prior to your start date.
• If you are not yet eligible for a booster, you must be in compliance no later than 15 days after the recommended timeframe for receiving the booster dose.

All State Hospital Locations:
Please note that start dates will be dependent upon if and when proof of vaccination or exemption requirements are submitted timely and approved.

Face Coverings:
While working on-site, employees must follow current face covering guidance as issued by CDPH.

Special Requirements

Application Instructions