MARY LANNING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Psychologist
DEPARTMENT: Behavioral Services
REPORTS TO: Director Behavioral Services
OCCUPATION #: 309
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DATE: October 2001, Revised Jan 2009
QUALIFICATIONS:
GENERAL: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential
duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /
or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION: A doctorate in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) from an accredited college or university
required. Current licensure as a psychologist through the Department of Health and Human
Services in the State of Nebraska required.
EXPERIENCE: Ability to demonstrate competence and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of
major mental disorders required. Training and experience with the administration, scoring, and
interpretation of a variety of psychological assessment batteries required. Supervisory experience
preferred.
CERTIFICATE, LICENCES, REGISTRATIONS: Current license to practice profession of
psychologist from the State of Nebraska.
JOB SUMMARY: Works as independent practitioner within a multidisciplinary team providing
psychological services including: diagnosis and treatment of major mental illnesses, conducting
and interpreting tests, creating treatment plans, providing psychotherapy, etc., in both inpatient and
outpatient settings. Applies the principles of growth and development to the care of patients of all
ages.
PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:
PRIVILEGES:
1. Diagnose and treat major mental and emotional illness.
2. Administer psychological assessment self-referral, requested.
3. Conduct mental status evaluations as needed.
4. Provide supervision as needed.
5. Provide individual, group and family therapy.
6. Participate in the formation of individual treatment plans.
7. Function as part of the multidisciplinary team for patient care.
8. Consult with patient and families regarding test results
9. Make determinations on Emergency Protective Custody (EPC) patients as assigned
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10. Serve as expert witness at mental health hearings
11. Evaluation of some medical conditions as they pertain to brain-behavior relationship.
OPERATIONAL:
1. Promotes a safe environment and reports any unsafe conditions.
2. Recognizes and reports incidents and occurrences in a timely fashion.
3. Complies with and makes recommendations for compliance with standard of regulatory /
accreditation agencies.
4. Provides input into the development and assists with achievement of unit goals and
objectives.
5. Participates in department based quality improvement activities.
6. Communicates effectively with co-workers and other departments.
7. Participates as a community speaker as needed.
8. Completes all documentation within established time frames.
9. Provides input into unit budget planning.
10. Maintains patient records in an orderly manner and per hospital policy.
CLINICAL:
1. Performs psychological assessment as ordered on patients of all ages.
2. Make determinations on EPC patients as assigned.
3. Provides individual and group therapy as assigned.
4. Participates in the formation of individual treatment plans.
5. Functions as part of the multidisciplinary team for assigned patients.
6. Consults with patients and families regarding testing results in a timely manner.
7. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development and the skills
necessary to provide age specific and appropriate care of the patient according to their age
category; interprets data about the patient's status in order to identify each patient's age
specific needs consistent with the care of the patient.
8. Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISOR:
1. Provides supervision to other professionals as assigned.
2. Conducts mental status examination as needed for other therapists.
3. Provides team leadership and participation as assigned.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT:
1. Meets hospital requirements of professional practice.
2. Fosters professional environment and courteous approach.
3. Recognizes research as it relates to the improvement of care.
4. Attends all required safety and QI inservices.
5. Satisfies annual non-violent crisis intervention certification.
6. Maintains professional certifications / licensure.
7. Participates in assigned department committees.
8. Participates in hospital committees as appointed or elected.
9. Satisfies annual CPR requirement.
SCOPE OF AUTHORITY: The individual has express authority to carry out the duties as defined in
the job description.
The Clinical Coordinator is responsible for the supervision of all psychologists employed or
contracted through Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital. Psychologists may also be responsible for
supervising master’s level therapists.
SUPERVISORY REPORTS: The psychologist works under the administrative supervision of the
Director of Behavioral Services as well as clinical supervision of the Medical Director and
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Psychology Clinical Coordinator. All licensed psychologists are legally and ethically responsible for
their own work.
FINANCIAL:
 Recommends capital equipment needs
 Practices cost containment activities.
SECURITY / ACCESS:
 Has access to the locked doors on the 7th floor as well as normal hospital access.
 Responsible for proper use and operation of supplies and equipment. Improper care or use of
resources could result in damage, loss, and added expense to the hospital.
 Complies with department safety policies and procedures. Responsible to help ensure that the
safety and physical well being of patients, visitors, physicians, and employees is maintained.
 Needs to be aware of the patient's safety needs and act appropriately on their behalf.
EXPOSURE TO HAZARDS: Normal hospital environment with little discomfort because of noise,
temperature, dust, or the like. Occasionally may be exposed to communicable diseases.
Occasionally may be exposed to body fluids and agitated patients.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
ESSENTIAL MENTAL ABILITIES (MATH, LANGUAGE):
 Ability to read, analyze, and interpret medical / clinical chart information, professional journals,
technical procedures, or government regulations.
 Ability to interact therapeutically and exchange accurate, appropriate and timely information
with patients, families and other health care professionals.
 Ability to write reports and chart medical information and understand policy / procedure
manuals.
 Ability to read, write, and speak English.
 Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers,
employees, physicians, patients and the general public.
 Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers,
common fractions, and decimals and to calculate figures and amounts such as interest,
proportions, percentages; and to draw and interpret various kinds of more complex graphs.
 Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and
practical problems.
 Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) in its most
difficult phases.
 Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Works with many different individuals including: customers, patients,
physicians, employees, etc. and must recognize the need for excellent public relations and
teamwork.
ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR: Must be able to utilize and complete required psychological
tests. Must be able to use computers and computer programs as required.
PHYSICAL / CRITICAL DEMANDS: Must have the capacity to communicate effectively, orally,
and in writing with patients in order to perform meaningful evaluations and provide treatment.
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Requires mental and physical stamina for problem solving and conflict management. Requires
flexibility in time management. Requires cognitive / mental ability for decision making and critical
thinking as it relates to patient care / clinical situations.
SCOPE OF CARE / PATIENT POPULATION:
 Works with many different individuals including: customers, patients, physicians, employees,
etc. and must recognize the need for excellent public relations and teamwork.
 Will work with patients of all ages in a both group and individual settings.
 Scope is as defined by both licensure and professional and hospital standards.
IDENTIFIED SKILL SETS:
# 682 BSU: None
#683 BSU: None
Clinical Coordinator Duties:
1. The clinical supervision of other psychologists.
2. Will facilitate communication for assigned staff.
3. Will participate in the development of staff schedules as directed.
4. Will participate in the interview process and makes recommendations to the director.
5. Will assure implementation and completion of employee orientation.
6. Will make recommendations regarding position control.
7. Will make recommendations and assist with justification for filling budgeted positions.
8. Will contribute to revisions of job descriptions for assigned staff.
9. Will provide performance management as assigned.
10. Will provide input into the monitoring of disciplinary action as required.
11. Will facilitate regular meetings with assigned staff.
12. Will assist staff with meeting requirements of professional practice.
13. Will serve as a role model by attending all required programs.
14. Will encourage and make arrangements for the staff participation in required programs and
meetings.
COMPLIANCE: Understand and comply with the requirements of the MLMH Compliance
Program, including, but not limited to the Code of Conduct, the Compliance Policy, all organizationwide policies for compliance, and compliance plans affecting specific duties and responsibilities.
Participate in all education and training programs regarding compliance as required by MLMH
policy and as requested by supervisor.