Per Diem School Psychologist (Hope Academy)

Description

The Hope Academy believes the dignity of each person is paramount. We recognize that our school’s future strength rests firmly on our commitment to recognize, respect and uphold the dignity of all our students, their families and our faculty and staff. To uphold this commitment, we expect all members of our school practice a willingness to recognize, respond to and teach about racism and other forms of injustice. 

SUMMARY OF MAIN DUTIES: 

Creates an intentional culturally responsive learning environment inclusive of students from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, abilities and family structures.  Encourages a sense of belonging and positive community for students while administering assessments in a safe learning environment, understands the role that systemic racism plays in the history of our country and present day embedded in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to support effective communication. Motivates learning by validating students as asset-based individuals. All staff are expected to be aware of microaggressions and redirect to amplify affirmations. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Administers cognitive, clinical, and educational assessments for initial evaluation and reevaluations related to special education and 504 eligibility as determined by the Evaluation Team 
• Determine if a student needs to be evaluated in their home language to obtain the most accurate present levels of performance 
• Meets all federal and state-mandated procedures and timelines for all evaluations/reports
• Attends and /or prepares evaluation reports for team meetings 
• Maintains accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation, and provides documentation when necessary
• Collaborates with special education teachers, classroom teachers, and other support staff and provides recommendations based on evaluation results
• Writes parent-friendly and accurate evaluation reports within the mandated timelines.
• Schedules evaluation times and secures a room for testing with support from the office manager and/or family liaison
• Demonstrates culturally informed behavior management and discipline practices with the ability to neutralize the pattern of inequitable discipline of children of color 
• Uses positive guidance techniques such as redirection, modeling appropriate behavior and praise
• Performs all other duties as directed by supervisor or school leadership team

QUALIFICATIONS:

SKILLS

• Acknowledge racism and privilege
• When you see racism or other forms of inequity, you address 
• Ability to actively listen to another’s point of view, share and be able to respectfully disagree
• Flexible schedule to meet the needs of the school’s evaluation needs 
• Organization skills to ensure that all evaluations and reports are completed within the guidelines established
• Culturally influenced effective communication skills
• Proficient technological skills for platforms such as, but not limited to Zoom, Google Classroom, MS Word, etc. 

PROFESSIONAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS 

• Models the school’s values of respect, compassion, integrity, inclusivity and excellence in all actions and communications
• Accesses all Hope Academy student records only, as needed
• Uses and discloses PHI only as authorized, as necessary to carry out job duties 
• Completes and maintains privacy and security training
• Reports suspected violations, including those of a colleague  
• Maintains professionalism in/outside of school

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment and physical requirements consistent with those of a typical school environment 
• Ability to move about the classroom and building continuously throughout the workday
• Utilize the computer (50%) of the time and other office equipment

Requirements

  EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND EDUCATION 

• Master's degree or higher in related field of study 
• Appropriate certification from the Rhode Island Department of Education or the ability to obtain 
• Possess good communication skills both verbal and written