Child And Adolescent Psychologist

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services•Rochester, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Child and Adolescent Psychologist provides comprehensive psychological assessment, diagnostic evaluation, consultation, and treatment recommendations for children and adolescents placed in a Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) program. The psychologist works collaboratively with foster parents, case managers, social workers, biological families, and TFC employees to support children with significant emotional, behavioral, developmental, and trauma-related needs. Effectively supports ongoing and collaborative communication amongst all program staff and is responsible for ensuring a trauma-informed care environment.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Child Psychology
Current licensure as a psychologist in the applicable state.
Eligibility to provide psychological testing and diagnostic services.
Minimum of two years of post-doctoral experience working with children, adolescents, and families.
Experience conducting psychological assessments and testing.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, attachment theory, and child development.
Expertise in psychological assessment instruments for children and adolescents.
Strong understanding of trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment disruptions, and behavioral health disorders.
Ability to communicate assessment findings effectively to caregivers, treatment teams, and community partners.
Strong report-writing and documentation skills.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge of child welfare systems, foster care regulations, and permanency planning practices.
Adheres to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations including, but not limited to, those governing confidentiality, privacy, program, billing, and documentation standards.
All duties must be performed in accordance with CCFCS’s corporate compliance & ethics program.
Successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

Certification or specialized training in trauma-focused interventions.
Experience with evidence-based assessment and treatment approaches.
Training in forensic or court-involved evaluations is desirable.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychological evaluations of children and adolescents entering or participating in therapeutic foster care.
Administer, score, and interpret psychological, cognitive, developmental, behavioral, educational, and personality assessments.
Assess trauma exposure, attachment concerns, emotional functioning, behavioral challenges, developmental delays, and mental health disorders.
Complete diagnostic evaluations utilizing DSM-5 criteria and provide differential diagnoses when appropriate.
Prepare detailed written reports summarizing findings, diagnoses, strengths, needs, and treatment recommendations.
Evaluate children's readiness for family reunification, adoption, kinship placement, or other permanency planning goals.
Provide clinical consultation to therapeutic foster care employees regarding behavioral management and trauma-informed care strategies.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary treatment teams to develop individualized service and treatment plans.
Participate in treatment team meetings, case reviews, and permanency planning meetings.
Share assessment results and recommendations with social service agencies, schools, medical providers, and legal stakeholders as appropriate.
Develop recommendations for therapeutic interventions and support services based on assessment findings.
Monitor psychological progress and conduct reassessments as needed.
Assist with crisis intervention planning and risk assessments involving self-harm, aggression, or safety concerns.
Provide expert guidance regarding attachment disorders, complex trauma, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, and other behavioral health conditions commonly encountered in foster care populations.
Provides supervision consultation to LMSW and works in tandem with LMSW regarding cases.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical records in accordance with agency policies and applicable federal and state regulations.
Ensure compliance with Medicaid, licensing, accreditation, and child welfare requirements.
Prepare reports for courts, child welfare agencies, and other authorized entities when required.
Participates in relevant Agency meetings and/or trainings
Actively pursues development of professional competencies related to job performance through reading, supervision, in-service training and attendance at conferences and workshops.
Awareness and active support of the Agency's Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan. Including, but not limited to, supporting the Agency's Core Competency initiatives of being Collaborative and Community Focused, Innovative and Entrepreneurial, and Culturally Competent and Diverse
Other duties as assigned