Description:

As part of a transdisciplinary team of professionals, the Lead Psychologist at YMC will be responsible for the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Lead Psychologist is an expert in the areas of autism and childhood development, social emotional and behavioral functioning, academic achievement, and special education. Additionally, the Lead Psychologist is an advocate for our mission, a model of professionalism, a source of support and partnership for families, a proactive and effective communicator, a willing collaborator, a fair and explicit coach, and an active part of our community.

Why YMC?

The YMC philosophy includes the belief that effective early autism intervention programs require children with autism to have the opportunity to interact successfully with typically developing peers on a regular basis. In order to ensure these interactions, we built our early learning center to provide an inclusive setting for children with autism to learn from typically developing peers. Our model brings together best practices from early childhood education and evidence-based early autism intervention to provide optimal results. With community as one of our core values, we pride ourselves on our commitment to remaining a local organization that is dedicated to building a better today and tomorrow for the families we serve, our team, and our community.

You will become part of a team of people who recognize that we can achieve more as a community than individuals; who are committed to pursuing goals and will persevere despite adversity; and who break down barriers, innovate new solutions, and choose courage over comfort.

Primary Responsibilities

Assessment

Oversee psychoeducational needs for all children receiving clinical services at YMC

Conduct standardized assessments to establish the learner’s baseline, better understand their strengths and needs, and monitor their treatment progress
Make appropriate referrals to specialists and/or community agencies

Complete diagnostic evaluations from community referrals that include the following: parent intake interview; selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting results of psychological and psycho-educational assessment measures; identifying and ruling out the presence of clinical disorders; making recommendations regarding appropriate interventions and supports; writing a comprehensive report; and presenting findings to parents in a feedback session.

Collaboration

Work within a transdisciplinary model and consult and collaborate with center team members (teachers, BCBAs, SLP, OT), parents, and outside agencies to identify and develop interventions that address the academic, behavioral, and/or social/emotional needs of students.
Have an understanding of the special education process within AZ public schools, assist parents in obtaining Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds, and (when applicable) coordinate with the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) from the child’s local school district prior to have the child evaluated for school-age special education services.
Actively work with the YMC-C leadership team; assist center efforts to plan, implement, and evaluate the center model; and complete related work as required. In carrying out these responsibilities, follow center policies and standard operating procedures and practices, and approved curriculum, and actively and positively support the vision of YMC-C.
Attend monthly team meetings and other community events to support the organization

Communication

Effectively communicate with team members, and parents/caregivers to enhance cooperative action, which will meet the health and safety needs of students and further support learner development.
Excellent written communication skills to efficiently produce comprehensive evaluation reports and maintain professional electronic communication with parents, team members, and outside professionals
Maintain confidentiality of all client-related information, as well as the organization’s intellectual property

Coaching

Provide team members and parents with information about appropriate developmental tasks and expectancies in cognitive, social, communication, physical and self-help areas.
Present in-service programs and training to team members, parents, and community agencies to expand awareness of developmental delays and early characteristics of autism
Supervise postdoctoral residents and/or practicum students and/or undergraduate interns Research
Evaluate and/or translate research into practice and understand research design and statistics in sufficient depth to plan and conduct investigations and program evaluations for improvement of services
Contribute to program development that furthers the integration of social, coping, and problem-solving skills in the classroom and throughout the center

Minimum qualifications

Doctorate in Clinical or School Psychology
Licensed as a Psychologist in the state of Arizona
Completed ADOS-2 training (preferred)
Credentialed under various insurance providers (preferred)
AZ IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Physical requirements

Frequently walks and uses hands to manipulate small objects, tools, or controls
Often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; and kneel, crouch, bend, squat, or crawl
Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver at least 25 pounds on a daily basis; and at least 40 pounds in case of an emergency
Vision abilities required for this job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus