Clinical Neuropsychologist- Outpatient Neuropsychology

Company Description

We’re making Maryland stronger!

With roots that go as far back as 1895, the UM Rehab & Ortho Institute continues to be a pioneer in orthopedics and neurological disorders. From bones to brains, our cutting-edge hospital heals even the most serious of injuries, specializing in everything from total joint replacement to spinal cord injuries and neurological condition. In total, our 141-bed facility welcomes over 3,000 patients every year. As the state’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitation services, we offer some of the most advanced therapies for stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic and sports injury, among many others.

The University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute invites applications for the position of Clinical Neuropsychologist within the Outpatient Neurological Rehabilitation Department.

The primary role of the neuropsychologist is the assessment of individuals (primarily adults) with acquired brain injuries (e.g. mTBI / TBI, Stroke, Brain Tumors) and / or other general neurological conditions. Outpatient neuropsychologists are part of the interdisciplinary therapy team with Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy. The neuropsychologist facilitates outpatient team meetings to assist with best practices. In addition, the outpatient neuropsychologist is embedded in 1-2 Neuro Trauma Recovery clinics per month.

This is a full-time, exempt position with benefit eligibility. This position is also eligible for an adjunct faculty appointment at the level of Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

General Summary

• Consistently expresses and demonstrates compassion and courtesy for patients. Extends courtesy and support to patient's families/visitors.
• To work as part of an interdisciplinary team, providing clinical psychology input within the BIRT neurobehavioral model to clients with acquired brain injury. To liaise with internal and external professionals, family members and clients. To engage in relevant research and advise other professionals as appropriate. Under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, provides inpatient neuropsychological assessment and health-behavior intervention with a focus on rehabilitation and differential diagnosis with a variety of patients including those suffering mostly from brain injury. The majority of the cases will be adult.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age, culture, ethnicity, and specific individual diagnostic needs of the patients served in his/her department. He/she must be able to assess and interpret data about the patient’s status in order to identify each patient’s specific needs and provide the care needed by the patient group (pediatric, adolescents and/or geriatric patient group, culture and diagnostic specific).
• Position will be highly involved in behavior management along with research projects. The neuropsychologist serves as a key member of the interdisciplinary treatment team on the brain injury unit and will consult to ensure the most effective care of patients across the continuum. As an advanced practitioner with expertise in neuropsychology, contributes to the rehabilitation field and to continuous improvement of patient care through involvement in clinical support, education, research, organizational support and professional development.

Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

• Demonstrates proper de-escalation techniques.
• Documents all consultative information gathered in patient sessions, patient family sessions, patient care giver sessions, team meetings, and neurobehavioral rounds as appropriate.
• Maintains current training and certification of such current training.

Respect for individuals, Customer Service, Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Provides performance feedback related to skills, competency, and teamwork as requested within the peer review system and participates in performance review process as directed by the Patient Therapy Manager.
• Performs daily responsibility with a customer service focus exhibited by actively seeking opportunities to exceed customer expectations and prevent potential customer complaints. Initiates and participates in service recovery processes and completes appropriate documentation. Serves as a resource for preempting and managing customer concerns.
• Develops and implements strategies for hands-off communication to convey appropriate patient/ clinical information.
• Serves as a mediator and facilitator working across boundaries to maximize teamwork and collaboration.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide care and/or interact in a manner that is appropriate to the age, culture, ethnicity, spirituality, and individual diagnostic needs of the persons served, visitors, and colleagues.
• Assists staff to identify and address potential breeches in patient information management and confidentiality issues (HIPPA).

Leadership, Clinical and/or Technical Skills

• Delegates tasks appropriately to enhance unit operations and staff development.
• Works collaboratively with the Patient Therapy Manager and peers to develop and/or revise services, programs, policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Demonstrates effective documentation including required components of assessment/ reassessment, care-planning, treatment, and patient progress according to hospital and professional practice standards.
• Coordinates the delivery of Neuropsychological services with other disciplines.
• Actively leads or participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, departmental projects, staff meetings, and hospital committees/ workgroups as appropriate.
• Provides direct supervision to Neuropsychology staff, students, and volunteers. Participates in recruitment and choosing new hires for Neuropsychology. Coordinates clinical orientation of new Neuropsychology staff. Serves as a resource for Neuropsychology staff development.
• Serves as a professional representative of Kernan Hospital at job fairs, community fairs, educational offerings, and family tours as requested and as appropriate.
• Effectively communicates and collaborates with other medical personnel and makes referrals to other professionals as appropriate.
• Participates in family education programming and provides family training, education, and guidance as needed.
• Performs medical chart reviews, selects and administers appropriate assessment tools, scores and interprets assessment data, formulates a diagnosis or diagnoses as appropriate, generates appropriate recommendations based on the diagnosis or diagnoses, and performs follow-up assessment if needed or deemed appropriate.
• Participates effectively in supervisory relationships with the Directory, Patient Therapy Manager, staff, volunteers, students, and others as indicated.

Quality and Patient Safety:

• Recognizes the need for and initiates the process of improvement initiatives with the Patient Therapy Manager.
• Guides staff in detecting, reporting, and taking action to avoid or to correct safety risks.
• Participates in the identification and implementation of hospital, program, and/or discipline-specific quality initiatives.
• Demonstrates knowledge, practice, and accountability for compliance with TJC National Patient Safety Goals.
• Consistently seeks appropriate assistance in the safe lifting techniques and body mechanics in daily practice.
• Ensures the implementation of policies, procedures, and professional standards and reports variations to the Patient Therapy Manager.

Cost Effectiveness:

• Employs and encourages practices that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maximize charge capture.
• Effectively demonstrates time management skills in the delivery of patient care and/or supervisory roles.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of salaries budget and staffing guidelines. Utilizes this knowledge in daily staffing decisions. Ensures the adherences to staffing guidelines and the accuracy of the staffing calendar.
• Assures proper cost controls that ensure quality of care while minimizing costs in supply management.

Education & Research:

• Supports and/or participates in approved research initiatives.
• Identifies learning needs of staff members in collaboration with the Patient Therapy Manager. Facilitates educational opportunities to meets those learning needs of staff members.
• Coordinates the orientation and mentorship of new or rotating staff.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs and in-service meetings.
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining competency and clinical knowledge-base related to role.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Able to work as part of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team
• Eligible for board certification in neuropsychology, and experience in a rehabilitation setting
• Possession of a current, valid license in Psychology from the Board of Examiners of Psychologists in the state of Maryland.
• Strong neuropsychological assessment skills
• Completion of a full-time, 2-year post-doctoral fellowship in the specified area of clinical neuropsychology, rehabilitation psychology, or behavioral medicine or two years of supervised experience in the specified area. All post-doctoral fellowship training or supervised experience must have occurred under the direct supervision of licensed, clinical Neuropsychologist.
• MD Board of Examiners of Psychologists license
• Credentialed according to Medical Staff Bylaw.
• Successful completion of an APA internship.
• PhD or Psy D. in Clinical Psychology from an APA accredited program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to make administrative/procedure decisions and judgments.
• Ability to score and interpret neuropsychological test results. Ability to assess cognitive and emotional status in clients, and to perform psychological consultation and follow-up.
• Highly effective verbal communication skills used to: maintain professionalism and demonstrate respect, resourcefulness and efficiency in answering questions, giving directions, locating staff and explaining hospital/departmental policies and procedures as necessary. Verbal communications may occur with an interdisciplinary team, patients, and patient families or care givers. Effective writing skills are also required in order to maintain clinical records and to effectively communicate with interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of neurochemistry and pharmacology. Knowledge of clinical neurology and development neuroscience.
• Knowledge of the theories and principles of psychology, the scientific method; learning theory; interviewing techniques; personality, intelligence and aptitude measurement; individual and group psychotherapy; fundamentals of other rehabilitation professions and multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary treatment models and neurobehavioral research including data collection, analysis and interpretation.
• Interviewing and psychological/development evaluation skills.
• Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Ability to diagnosis neuropsychological conditions in children and adults, and to develop appropriate and effective treatment plans.
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations. Ability to read, write and speak English in order to follow and give instructions accurately.
• Knowledge of neuropsychological test selection for the evaluation of CNS dysfunction. Knowledge of neuropsychological treatment and research ethics, regulations and standards.
• Ability to effectively communicate medical information, test results, diagnoses and/or proposed treatment in a manner easily understood by the client.

Additional Information

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