The Psychology Technician position involves the performance of technical work in a program of research and direct services in neuropsychology. This position involves a practical understanding of many of the principles, methods and techniques of psychology. Psychology Technician work is performed for its immediate productive value, is typically limited in breadth, and does not provide substantial development of broader psychological skills, knowledge, and insights.
Major Duties: Independently administers and scores neuropsychological assessment instruments, including complex standardized tests of intelligence, academic achievement, attention, memory, speech language functions, visuospatial/constructional skills, motor skills, and executive functions, as well as cognitive screening tools and extended batteries designed to assess neuropsychological abilities. The instruments used include specialized, complicated neuropsychological assessment techniques, beyond introductory assessment knowledge, requiring more extensive training and skill in administration and scoring. Some of the specific, complex measures used for these purposes include WeschIer Adult Intelligence Scale, WeschIer Individual Achievement Test, Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test, Wide Range Achievement Test, Wechsler Memory Scale, California Verbal Learning Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, Judgement of Line Orientation, Wisconsin Card Sorting Testing, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Grooved Pegboard Test. While on rare occasions duties may include only screening of behavioral, cognitive, psychological, and other symptoms, the majority of assessments will involve in-depth comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of multiple domains of cognition as described above and assessment of psychological functioning. Conducts a comprehensive battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, during in-person/face-to-face appointments. On rare occasions, brief assessments may be conducted via telehealth or comprehensive assessments may include a combination of in-room/face-to-face testing and remote/room-to-room testing within the clinic. Provides services to a subset of patients who exhibit complex diagnoses, such as patients with severe neurological disorders, including traumatic brain injuries, stroke, seizure disorders, aphasia, neurosyphilis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and severe mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. Administers tests to patients of diverse backgrounds, with awareness of cultural and linguistic factors that may impact test validity. This may include further assessment of language preferences, administration of tests that aid the neuropsychologist in determining language proficiency, and/or administration of a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological and psychological tests in Spanish, if the applicant is fluent in Spanish. Administers and scores measures for purposes of assessment of emotional status, personality, and/or functional capability. Measures used for these purposes include complex measures such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. Provides patients and/or significant others with a rationale for specific testing procedures. Operates equipment such as computers, tape recorders, or other specialized assessment equipment. Uses computers for purposes of data entry, scoring, and analysis for program evaluation and research purposes. Encourages the cooperation of patients during the entire assessment procedure through the use of evidence-based motivational interviewing techniques. Establishes and maintains effective rapport with all types of patients and provides an appropriate, non-threatening setting for optimal test performance by patients. Provides sensitive communication with patients with disabilities and adapts assessment approaches or procedures in a manner to meet any special problems or needs related to these disabilities. This may include using assistive devices or other adaptations to minimize the impact of vision, hearing, or other sensory limitations for optimal test performance by patients. Provides verbal and written observations of patient test behavior. Observes atypical habits, physical disabilities, emotional and personality features, and any previous injury that might have a bearing on test performance. Collect relevant demographic and psychosocial information from a patient and/or collateral informant. Document relevant demographic information in medical records and on test protocols as needed. Major Duties Continues in Qualification section below: Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Psychology Technician - Neuropsychology/PD00712A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Kathrine.Howe@va.gov
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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