Developmental Pediatric Psychologist

Developmental Pediatric Psychologist
Department of Pediatrics

The Developmental Pediatric Psychologist will:

Conduct Assessment Services
- Evaluation of current cognitive functioning. Evaluation is achieved via use of standardized instruments such as the WISC-III or WAIS-R, interview and additional measures of cognitive ability.
- Evaluation of current emotional functioning, i.e., mental status depression, personality style, interpersonal functioning, etc.
- Evaluation of "parenting skills" i.e., level of attachment, appropriateness of interaction, knowledge of child development, discipline skills, expectation of child's behavior, family support networks and degree of utilization.
- "Validation of Abuse" (physical and sexual), providing information regarding such things as fearfulness, defensiveness, evidence of trauma, dissociation, consistency of allegations, details provided.
- "Risk Assessment" which includes assessing family/individual needs and family/individual vulnerabilities.
- "Perpetrator Assessment" in which data can be collected to help determine consistency of perpetrator's statements, willingness to accept responsibility, victim empathy, awareness of impact of their behavior on others and interest in changing.
- "Bonding Evaluations" to attempt to answer questions about the nature of attachment between caretakers and children.
- "Forensic Evaluations" for cases expected to be in litigation.
- Assess patient considering growth and development factors appropriate to the age (Neonates, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics).
- Assess clients with satellite or outreach centers.
- Travel independently to all sites served by the CNJRCDC.
Offer Direct Intervention
- Short term therapy - problem focused. Clients can be seen at the center and at outreach sites for treatment around specific issues, including parenting skills, post-partum depression, and family reunification. Treatment can be individual or group based.
- Group work which can include parenting education, groups for abusers, victim groups, groups for high risk parents who have not been abusive, mother-infant groups for parents (non-offending) of sexually/physically abused children.
- Consultation to parents, children with adjustment difficulties, nursing, medicine and social work.
Plans care considering growth and development factors appropriate to the age of the patient (Neonates, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics).
- Implements care considering growth and development factors appropriate to the age of the patient (Neonates, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics).
Meetings
- Professional meetings where relevant cases are discussed will be attended as needed.
- Psychosocial - attend scheduled team meetings that include staff.
- Developmental case presentations - prepare and present cases to the team.
Education/Training
- Presentation and supervision to students/trainees will be provided as required.
- Teaches patients considering growth and development factors appropriate to their age (Neonates, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics).
- Participates in education and development activities and maintains professional credentialing. Demonstrates competency in knowledge and skill necessary to provide care to specific age-related populations (i.e. Neonates, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics).
Record Keeping
- After meetings with clients, records will be made. These include complete reports, case notes, and chart notes.
- Ensure all procedures are performed based on established standards; demonstrates competency in performing all procedures
within scope of practice; as appropriate to the ages of the patient's growth and development through the life cycle factors (Neonates, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics) and an understanding of the range of treatment needed by these patients.

As a state-designated children's hospital, we offer many specialty services for children. We care for high-risk babies and seriously ill children in our Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care units. Our Child Life Program helps to educate and prepare children for their stay at Saint Peters, while our Pediatric Emergency…