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CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
CATEGORY DEFINITION
GROUP DEFINITION
FACTORS
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION INDEX
In Rating Order
In Alphabetical Order
INTRODUCTION
This standard describes the plan to be used to classify
positions allocated to the Psychology Group. It consists of an
introduction, definitions of the Scientific and Professional
Category and the occupational group, factor definitions and
characteristics, rating scales and bench-mark position
descriptions.
A classification plan of five levels has been established for
this occupational group. These levels represent significant
differences in the difficulty of the work.
The evaluation of positions and their assignment to a
classification level will be determined by the application of
three factors:
Technical Complexity Professional Responsibility Management
Responsibility
The factors selected deal with most features of the work
assigned to positions in the group. A definition and a list of
factor characteristics has been included for each factor. The
characteristics indicate the features of the work that are to be
considered when evaluating a position under a particular
factor. Each characteristic describes the lowest and the highest
requirement. The factor characteristics serve to ensure that
consideration is given to all features of the work of a
position.
Because of the nature and diversity of positions in
this group, it was not considered possible to produce meaningful
definitions for all degrees of the factors that would demonstrate
the increasing complexity of the work from the lowest to the
highest degree. As a result, degree definitions have been
included for the second and fourth degrees only. These degree
definitions highlight the features of the work that will be found
in most positions at these degrees. The degrees of each factor
are illustrated by one or more bench-mark position
descriptions.
Determination of Levels
The level of a position is determined by the degree assigned
for at least two of the three factors. 'When one degree does not
predominate, raters are to compare the-total job with bench-mark
position descriptions and determine the level by ranking the
position against appropriate bench-marks.
The ultimate objective of job evaluation is the determination
of the relative values of jobs in each occupational group. Jobs
assigned to a given level in an occupational group are regarded
as being of equal difficulty.
Bench-Mark Positions
Bench-mark position descriptions exemplify the degrees of each
factor and the levels of the classification structure. Each
bench-mark consists of a descriptive title, a brief summary, a
statement of the principal duties with the percentage of time
devoted to each, and a set of specifications. The specifications
describe the
features of the work of the position in terms of the
characteristics of each of the three factors and indicate the
degree assigned to the position for each factor
The specifications exemplify the application of the evaluation
plan to the duties and responsibilities of the bench-mark
position. A classification level is assigned to each bench-mark
position.
UseoftheStandard
There are five steps in the application of this classification
standard.
1. Allocation of the position to the category and group is
confirmed by reference to the definitions and the descriptions of
inclusions and exclusions.
2. The position description is studied to ensure understanding
of the position as a whole and of the nature of the duties and
responsibilities as they relate to the characteristics of each
factor. The relationship of the position being studied to
positions above and below it in the organization is also
studied.
3. A degree of each factor is tentatively assigned to the
position being evaluated by considering the factor
characteristics identified in the duties of the position and
comparing them with the degree definitions. Degrees are assigned
for each factor by determining that the characteristics of
the position are equal to, more than, or less than a degree that
is defined.
4. The degree tentatively selected is confirmed by comparison
with the bench-mark position descriptions.
5. The final rating of the position is determined by the
degree that has been assigned to the position for at least two of
the three factors.
6. The position is compared with bench-mark position
descriptions that have been assigned to the same level, as a
check on the validity of the level selected.
Minimum Qualifications
Each of the group definitions in the category includes a
statement of "Minimum Qualifications". These requirements are to
apply without modification to all new entrants appointed to
positions in the category on or after July 1, 1967. With respect
to experienced public servants who may not possess the formal
education prescribed in the definitions but who are certified or
who are qualified for certification on June 30, 1967, in classes prescribed by the Public Service Commission,
the statements are intended to indicate the norms against which
the qualifications of the individual may be assessed in order to
judge whether or not the combination of his education, training
and experience provides, for the particular job being filled,
qualifications equal to or higher than those prescribed in the
"Minimum Qualifications" of the relevant occupational group.
CATEGORY DEFINITION
Occupational categories were repealed by the Public Service Reform Act (PSRA),
effective April 1, 1993. Therefore, the occupational category definitions have
been deleted from the classification standards.
GROUP DEFINITION
For occupational group allocation, it is recommended that you use the Occupational
Group Definition Maps, which provide the 1999 group definition and their
corresponding inclusion and exclusion statements. The maps explicitly link the
relevant parts of the overall 1999 occupational group definition to each
classification standard.
Minimum Qualifications
University graduation with a Master's degree in
psychology.
PSYCHOLOGY
FACTORS
TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY
This factor is used to measure the difficulty of the work in
terms of the use of approaches, methods and techniques; the
interrelationships and the subtlety of variable factors that must
be taken into account; and the required knowledge of the
discipline, associated disciplines or functions, and departmental
policy.
When evaluating positions under this factor, raters are to
consider the following characteristics:
The use of approaches, methods and techniques will range
- from applying, with some adaptation, established methods
and techniques to meet the requirements of the work,
- to developing and applying new approaches, methods and
techniques to meet the changing requirements of a program.
The interrelationships and subtlety of variable factors to be
taken into account will range
- from work that involves a number of variable factors with
straightforward interrelationships,
- to work that involves a large number of subtle interacting
variables difficult to define and quantify.
The required knowledge of the discipline, associated
disciplines or functions and departmental policy will range
- from a good knowledge of the theory, principles and
techniques of apsychological specialty, with a specific knowledge of a
particular aspect of the specialty, and knowledge of the
operations and requirements of associated disciplines or
functions,
- to an authoritative knowledge of the discipline and a
comprehensive knowledge of the operations and requirements of
associated disciplines and functions and of regulations and
policies governing the department or government program.
TECHNICAL COMPLEXITY
Degrees
Bench-mark Position Descriptions
1
No.
Page
1 Psychologist, Shaughnessy
Veterans Hospital, DVA 15
The work requires the modification and adaptation of
established methods and techniques and the development of new
approaches and techniques to meet variations in the needs of
clients or projects. It requires the analysis of a large number
of subtle interacting variables. The work requires a
thorough knowledge of the theory, principles and techniques of a
psychological specialty and continuing study of current trends
and developments. It also requires a good understanding of the
operations and requirements of associated disciplines and
functions and of the programs and regulations of the department
or institution.
2
2 Psychologist, Westminster Veterans Hospital, DVA l9
3
3 Head, Selection Procedures Service Section, PSC 25
The work requires originality and imagination in developing new methods and techniques to
meet complex problems and in planning and developing new procedures and studies to meet
the changing requirements of departmental or institutional programs. The work requires
the application of a comprehensive and up-todate knowledge of the theory, principles and
techniques of a psychological specialty and of the operations and requirements of associated
disciplines and functions. It requires a thorough knowledge of
the regulations and policies governing the departmental or
institutional programs.
4
4 Chief Psychologist, St. Anne's Hospital, DVA 30
5
5 Assistant Director, Treatment, Training and Program Planning, Can. Penitentiary Serv. 38
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
This factor is used to measure the difficulty of the work in
terms of the nature of the controls exercised over the work, the
responsibility for making interpretations, decisions and
recommendations, giving training in psychological principles and
techniques, and providing advice.
When evaluating positions under this factor raters are to
consider the following characteristics:
The guidance available will range
from direction on the development of new techniques and
advice on unusual problems and likely approaches,
to general direction concerning policy intent and program
objectives.
The extent to which work is checked will range
from review of work plans and assessment of results,
to evaluation of the work in terms of the effectiveness of
the psychological program.
Responsibility for making interpretations, decisions and
recommendations will range
from ensuring that own work is accurate and meaningful, and
making recommendations based on the interpretation of
findings,
to analyzing and interpreting a large amount of complex
information and making decisions and recommendations regarding
the studies and services to be carried out and the criteria to be
followed to achieve the objectives of a psychological
program.
Responsibility for giving training in psychological principles
and techniques will range
from giving lectures and/or demonstrations to non
psychological staff such as nurses, medical interns and residents, and
technical staff,
to evaluating training needs and determining the nature and
content of the training required by professional and
nonprofessional staff.
Responsibility for providing psychological advice will
range
- from providing guidance and advice to technical staff and
employees in associated functions,
- to providing final, authoritative professional opinions and
advice to other professionals and senior officials.
PROFESSIONAL
RESPONSIBILITY
Degrees
Bench-mark Position Descriptions
No. Paae
1
1 Psychologist, Shaughnessy Veterans Hospital, OVA 16
The incumbents are required to identify and develop approaches
and techniques to meet difficult problems. They are also required
to define and recommend objectives for studies, interpret
findings and recommended courses of action and new or revised
procedures and techniques to superiors and to members of other
disciplines or functions. Guidance is restricted to discussion
with superiors on the implications of unusual technical problems.
Completed work and recommendations are reviewed for
soundness of professional judgement and adherence to professional
standards. The incumbents are responsible for giving
instruction on the theory and use of psychological
principles and techniques to psychology interns and graduate
students and to other professional staff. They give advice in their area of work
to professionals in own and associated disciplines.
2
2 Psychologist, Westminster Veterans Hospital, DVA 20
3
3 Head, Selection Procedures Service Section, PSC 26
The incumbents are required to plan and develop approaches to complex problems, identify areas for study, and
formulate psychological research and service programs, by the
analysis and interpretation of a large amount of complex
information, including the evaluation of the conclusions and
recommendations of others. They are responsible for establishing
objectives and procedures and assume final responsibility for all
decisions and recommendations made by the psychological staff.
The incumbents are professionally independent and guidance is
restricted to matters of policy. They are responsible for
evaluating training needs And determining the nature and content
of the psychological training provided to psychology
trainees and professionals in own and other disciplines. They act as consultants on all matters involving psychological
considerations to senior administrative and professional
personnel.
4
4 Chief Psychologist, St. Anne's Hospital, DVA 32
5
5 Assistant Director, Treatment, Training & Prog. Planning, Canadian Penitentiary Serv.40
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
This factor is used to measure the difficulty of the work in
terms of the responsibility for the management of human,
financial and physical resources, and the coordination of
activities with other branches or services, departments or
agencies.
When evaluating positions under this factor, raters are to
consider such characteristics of the factors as the
following:
Responsibility for the management of staff will range
from the occasional supervision of trainees and technical
staff,
to the selection, evaluation, allocation, direction, training
and development of a number of professional and nonprofessional
staff, evaluating the effectiveness of subordinate supervisors,
and setting program objectives.
Responsibility for financial and physical resources will
range
from the care and effective use of equipment and
supplies,
to the preparation and administration of a budget and
the allocation of funds to studies or components.
Responsibility for coordinating work performed for, or in
conjunction with other branches or services, departments or agencies will
range
from coordinating work output with personnel in other
sections of the work area or in other branches of the
department,
to coordinating studies and activities involving other
departments or agencies and advising other components regarding
the feasibility of suggested projects or requests for
information.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
Degrees
Bench-mark Position Descriptions
1
1 Psychologist, Shaughnessy Veterans Hospital, DVA
2 Psychologist, Westminster Veterans Hospital, DVA
Page
16
21
The incumbents are responsible for recommending the initiation
or revision of projects and procedures and for supervising the
work of technical and junior professional staff. They are
responsible for maintaining equipment and recommending the
purchase of supplies and equipment. Incumbents are required to
co-ordinate their work with that being done by personnel in other
branches or services and outside departments or agencies.
2
3
3 Head, Selection Procedures Service Section, Selection Procedures and Testing
Services Division, PSC
27
The incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities of a
multi-functional psychology program and for directing a number of professional and non
professional employees. They are required to estimate costs, administer a budget,
allocate funds and control costs, equipment and supplies. The incumbent is required to
co-ordinate psychological research and service programs with the work programs of other
branches or services and outside organizations.
4
4 Chief Psychologist, St. Anne's Hospital, DVA
33
5
5 Assistant Director, Treatment, Training and Program Planning, Canadian Penitentiary Serv.
41
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION INDEX
In Rating Order
LEVEL
BENCH-MARK POSITION NO.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE,
PAGE
1
Psychologist, Shaughnessy Veterans Hospital Department of Veterans Affairs
14
2
2
Psychologist, Westminster Veterans Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs
17
3
3
Head, Selection Procedures Service Section, Selection Procedures and Testing Services
Division, Public Service Commission
22
4
4
Chief Psychologist, St. Anne's Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs
28
5
5
Assistant Director, Treatment, Training and Program Planning, Canadian Penitentiary Service
35
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION INDEX
In Alphabetical Order
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
BENCH-MARK POSITION NO.
PAGE
Assistant Director, Treatment, Training and Program Planning, Canadian Penitentiary Service
5
35
Chief Psychologist, St. Anne's Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs
4
28
Head, Selection Procedures Service Section, Selection Procedures and Testing Services Division, Public Service
Commission
3
22
Psychologist, Shaughnessy Veterans Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs
1
14
Psychologist, Westminster Veterans Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs
2
17
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Bench-mark Position Number: 1
Level: 1
Descriptive Title: PSYCHOLOGIST, SHAUGHNESSY VETERANS HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Summary
Under the general supervision of the Chief,
Psychology Service, tests patients in order to diagnose
disorders, evaluate prognostic indications and recommended
treatment and rehabilitation needs; participates in the
conduct of psychological research projects; counsels patients for
vocational rehabilitation; prepares and gives lectures to
non-psychological treatment staff on the principles and uses of
test interpretations and on the localization of brain functions;
and performs related duties.
Duties
% of Time
- Tests patients through the use of a wide variety of psycho
diagnostic techniques in order to diagnose disorders, evaluate
prognostic indications and make recommendations concerning treatment and
rehabilitation needs
- by selecting and administering a wide variety of
objective tests to evaluate such things as psycho-motor functioning, intellectual functions, abilities and impairments, or such
personality variables as emotional control, degree of regression and anxiety level,
- by selecting and using projective techniques and
interviewing patients to assess personality structure and the extent of the presence or absence of personality disturbances,
- by integrating data obtained through tests and
interviews,
- by interpreting the meaning of interview and test
results for differential diagnosis and preparing recommendations concerning treatment and rehabilitation needs, and
- by presenting and explaining findings and
interpretations in verbal and written reports.
50
- Participates in research projects in psychology, such as
the development, revision and validation of psychological tests,
the evaluation of treatment results or the investigation of
problems in psychopharmacology
- by assisting in the planning of research by searching professional literature to locate and evaluate the methods
used in and the results of relevant experiments, as a
basis for recommendations regarding the design and methodology
of current research studies, - by reviewing case histories and selecting research
subjects,
30
% of Time
- by testing the subjects of the experiment, observing and tabulating the results,
- by organizing the data for analysis and applying
prescribed statistical procedures, and
- by interpreting the results and preparing a draft report of the research findings for review by the Chief,
Psychology Service.
- Counsels patients for vocational rehabilitation in order to
help patients to choose a vocation or work rehabilitation program and to
accept their changed role or function
- by determining the needs, capacities and goals of
patients through a review of test findings and of pertinent
personal, social, educational and work history information,
- by conducting a series of interviews, both structured
and unstructured, with individual patients to help them accept and evaluate the implications of data concerning their
aptitudes and capacities, develop a realistic self-concept and select suitable vocational goals, and
- by providing occupational and training information as needed and helping patients develop vocational or
rehabilitation plans.
10
- Prepares and gives lectures and demonstrations to
non-psychological treatment staff such as nurses, medical interns and residents,
concerning the principles and uses of test interpretations and
the localization of brain functions.
5
- Performs related duties such as supervising the work of a
research assistant in regard to specific assignments that contribute
to the incumbent's research work; controlling and maintaining
laboratory equipment; and attending professional meetings
and conferences.
5
Specifications
Degree
Technical Complexity
The work requires the use of a wide variety of established
methods and techniques of psycho diagnostic testing. This requirement
includes the use of new or unusual techniques to meet
special diagnostic problems. Analysis of data involves integrating and
interpreting test results and information obtained from interviews, and
analyzing research findings by the use of prescribed statistical techniques. The
incumbent is expected to propose improvements in the organization of
assignments and in the methodology applied in research projects. The work requires a good knowledge of the basic theory,
principles and techniques of clinical psychology, with a specific
knowledge of a wide variety of psychological testing methods, techniques
and instruments. The incumbent must keep abreast of
developments in the field of clinical psychology, and of new techniques of psycho
diagnosis in particular, by regular perusal of scientific journals,
abstracts and
1
Degree
book reviews. The work requires knowledge of research
methodology and statistical techniques, neurological and medical
syndromes, vocational training programs and hospital procedures.
Professional Responsibility
The incumbent is responsible for selecting test procedures to
be used in his diagnostic work and for interpreting the results.
He is responsible for evaluating prognostic indications, and
making recommendations concerning treatment and
rehabilitation plans after approval by the Chief Psychologist.
The incumbent is held accountable for ensuring that the intent of
research plans are followed, for applying methods and techniques
with precision, for accurately analyzing and interpreting
findings, and for drafting reports for the review and approval of the supervisor.
The work is performed in accordance with objectives and
priorities established by the Chief Psychologist. Guidance is
received on difficult problems of test selection and
interpretation where findings are inconsistent and decisions are
not clear cut. The objectives and methodology of research
assignments are usually well defined, and are evolved and
established in discussions with the supervisor. Work is reviewed
in progress and on completion by the Chief Psychologist, who
has final responsibility for the validity of the statistical
interpretations and research conclusions. The incumbent is responsible, as directed by the Chief
Fsychologist, for preparing and giving lectures to nurses,
medical and psychiatric interns and residents on the principles
and uses of psychological tests and the localization of brain
damage.
1
Management Responsibility
There is no requirement for direct, continuous supervision of
other staff. The work requires providing guidance and instruction to
one or two research assistants when such staff is allocated for a
particular research project. The incumbent is responsible for the care
of laboratory equipment and recommending the purchase of new
equipment.
1
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Bench-mark Position Numbers 2
Level: 2
Descriptive Title: PSYCHOLOGIST, WESTMINSTER VETERANS HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Summary
Under the direction of the Chief Psychologist,
assesses medical, psychiatric and neurological patients referred to the Psychology Service
for evaluation and diagnosis; conducts psychological treatment of
mentally and emotionally disturbed patients in order to modify
their behavior and bring about improved adjustment; carries out
applied and theoretical research projects in psychology;
instructs psychology trainees and other treatment staff in the
use of psychological principles and techniques; and supervises
the work of junior psychologists and psychology trainees, as
delegated by the Chief Psychologist.
Duties
% of Time
- Assesses patients, on a referral basis, in order to
delineate personality dynamics and areas of dysfunction, evaluate
intellectual and personality resources, diagnose mental and emotional
disorders and recommend plans for treatment and rehabilitation
- by selecting and administering a wide variety of
objective tests to evaluate such things as perceptual psychomotor functioning, intellectual functions, potentialities and
impairments, or such personality variables as emotional control, degree of regression and anxiety level,
- by selecting and using projective techniques and
interviewing patients to assess personality structure, the extent of
the presence or absence of personality disturbances and the
nature of the dynamics involved,
- by integrating data obtained through tests and
interviews,
- by interpreting the meaning of interview and test
results for differential diagnosis and relating conclusions to treatment and rehabilitation needs, and
- by presenting and explaining findings, interpretations
and recommendations, in verbal and written reports, to the
referring physician and at case conferences.
30
- Conducts psychological treatment of mentally and
emotionally disturbed patients in order to modify their behavior and
bring about improved adjustment
- by participating in the formulation of patient treatment plans as a member of the treatment team,
- by observing patients and consulting with nurses,
therapists and physicians concerning the progress of ongoing treatment
and rehabilitation programs such as milieu therapyand ward meetings,
- by conducting individual psychotherapy, selecting the particular technique or combination of techniques to be
used and planning the frequency, duration and intensity of therapy, and
35
%
of Time
- by organizing and conducting psychotherapy groups, which includes selecting patients to be included in the group,
establishing a therapeutic group relationship and guiding group sessions.
- Carries out research projects in psychology, such as the
evaluation of therapeutic and rehabilitation procedures and investigation
into the nature of particular variables in mental illness
- by planning the particular project, which includes
formulating the hypothesis, developing the research design and
determining the instrumentation and statistical methodology to be
employed,
- by submitting and justifying research plans to the Chief Psychologist and to members of research conferences,
- by setting up complex apparatus to achieve desired
observations and measurements, which may involve modifying available equipment to measure phenomena that are different from
those the equipment was designed to measure,
- by applying the experimental procedure to subjects,
observing and recording the results,
- by analyzing the data through the application of a
variety of statistical procedures and interpreting the results,
and
- by writing research reports and scientific articles to present and explain research findings.
15
- Instructs psychology trainees and other treatment staff in
the use of psychological principles and techniques
- by preparing and giving lectures to psychology trainees
on the use of psychological tests and on the conduct of
diagnostic and therapeutic interviewing,
- by training psychology interns and graduate students in the use of psycho diagnostic techniques through supervised
practice in test selection, administration and
interpretation and the diagnostic use of results,
- by guiding and closely supervising trainees in the
practice of individual and group psychotherapy,
- by conducting seminars with senior medical students on the use of psychological services and techniques in
medical practice,
- by conducting seminars with trainees in psychiatric
nursing on psychopathology presented in terms of need
fulfillment' and the use of psychological techniques such as reality therapy to stimulate patient recovery, and
- by developing and giving lectures on such topics as
organic signs in psychological test performance and differential features of the manic-depressive psychoses as shown in
test performance, at the request of the neuropsychiatry
physicians and their consultants.
15
- Supervises the work of junior psychologists and psychology
interns and graduate students, as delegated by the Chief
Psychologist
% of Time
- by assigning cases to psychological trainees,
- by providing advice and guidance to trainees in the
conduct of psychological assessment and treatment services, and
- by acting as consultant to the junior psychologist
concerning diagnostic and therapeutic problems.
5
Specifications
Degree
Technical Complexity
The work requires the modification and adaptation of
established testing techniques and the development of new techniques to
solve the wide variety of clinical problems presented by different
types of illnesses or dysfunctions and by individual patients.
Typical examples of this requirement include the modification of
the standard test battery for measuring brain damage by the
addition of several new tests in order to arrive at more definitive
assessments; the development of a test for differentiating the concretion
of the organic in contrast to that of the schizophrenic, and the
development of a non-verbal multiple choice Intelligence Quotient test in
order to assess a patient who refused to communicate verbally.
Modification and innovation of approaches and techniques is
a routine requirement in the conduct of individual and group
psychotherapy when the incumbent must constantly react and adapt
to the patients' changing attitudes and emotional states. In the assessment of personality structure and dynamics,
through the administration of such projective techniques as the Rorschach
Test and the Thematic Apperception Test, and in the conduct of
psychotherapy, the incumbent must recognize and evaluate such subtle and
interacting factors as the subject content, orderliness, patterns and relationships of patients' responses or conversations; the emotions
and attitudes displayed; the quality of thought and expression;
speech hesitations, and any behavioral cues that could reveal
unconscious motivations and unspoken thoughts. The incumbent must weigh
the relative significance of these factors and rationalize their
inter-relationships in order to arrive at a diagnosis and to guide
patients toward improved adjustment and behavior. The work requires a thorough knowledge of the theory,
principles and techniques of clinical psychology, including principles and
uses of a large number of objective and projective psychological
testing techniques; theories and practices of a wide variety of
psychotherapeutic techniques, ranging from supportive
therapy through non directive techniques to techniques that
involve varying degrees of analysis to depths that approach
psychoanalysis; research methodology; training methods and
techniques. The incumbent must keep aware of current trends and
developments in the field and, through continuing study, become
proficient in the use of new theories and
2
Dearee
techniques. The work also requires a good knowledge of
neurological and medical syndromes, basic anthropological and sociological
theories, and statistical techniques. The incumbent must have a good
understanding of the organization and programs of community
agencies and of the programs and regulations of the hospital.
Professional Responsibility
Within the established psychology program, the incumbent is
responsible for developing research proposals; selecting approaches and
techniques or, when he deems it necessary, developing new methods and
techniques to deal with assessment and therapy problems that include all
types of cases that fall within the province of clinical psychology.
He is responsible for interpreting and explaining his findings
and recommending treatment plans to the referring physician. As a
member of the treatment team, he is responsible for presenting
recommendations concerning diagnosis and treatment procedures in case
conferences, whether the patient has been tested or not. Recommendations
are made to the Chief Psychologist concerning new research projects,
changes in administrative procedures and general use in the Psychology
Service of new or modified approaches and techniques in dealing with
certain types of patients or illnesses. Specific guidance in the conduct of the work is not given;
unusually difficult cases are discussed with the Chief Psychologist,
the incumbent being responsible for determining the need for and
seeking such consultation. Administrative problems such as the setting
of priorities, changes in procedures and conflicting demands
for psychological services by other treatment staff are referred
to the Chief Psychologist. Research proposals must be justified before projects are
undertaken, and findings and conclusions are reviewed for soundness of
judgement and adherence to professional standards. Assessment work is
carried out independently and the incumbent assumes responsibility for
the adequacy of his assessments. Therapeutic techniques are, to
some extent, a matter of personal background and preference and the
conduct of psychotherapy does not necessarily entail any particular
technique or combination of techniques. Consequently, review of the
incumbent's therapeutic work is on the basis of spot-check consultations
by the Chief Psychologist to ensure adherence to professional
standards of competence and to verify that professional reliance on the
incumbent's work is justified. The incumbent is responsible for developing and giving
lectures in clinical psychology to psychology interns and graduate
students and to members of the hospital's treatment. staff, including
medical and psychiatric interns and residents, nurses and physicians.
Topics are
2
Degree
assigned by the Chief Psychologist and can include any area
of clinical psychology. The incumbent is also required, as
delegated by the Chief Psychologist, to provide guidance and supervised
practice to psychology interns in the use of psycho diagnostic techniques
and the conduct of therapy. The incumbent provides advice to the junior psychologist
concerning problems of diagnosis and therapy. He consults with physicians
and other treatment staff, such as nurses, physical therapists and
social workers, concerning the progress of ongoing treatment and
rehabilitation programs.
Management Responsibility,
There is no requirement for continuous supervision of other
staff. However, the incumbent is required, as directed by the
Chief Psychologist, to supervise and review the work of one
or two psychology trainees for a period of practical training.
This involves supervising psychological assessments carried out
by trainees, including test selection, administration and
interpretation, the diagnostic use of results and the preparation
of reports; and supervising their contributions to his therapy
sessions when they act as co-therapists or assistant therapists. The incumbent is responsible for the organization of his work
to meet the schedules set by the Chief Psychologist and to co-ordinate
his activities with those of other treatment staff. He is
responsible for the use and maintenance of equipment and for recommending
new purchases.
1
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Bench-mark Position Numbers 3
Levels 3
Descriptive Titles HEAD, SELECTION PROCEDURES SERVICE SECTION, SELECTION PROCEDURES AND
TESTING SERVICES DIVISION, PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Sumaarv
Under the direction of the Chief of the Division, manages the
activities of the section, which is responsible for the conduct
of personnel research and the provision of test development
services within the Administrative Support, Operational and
Technical Categories; plans and directs the conduct of
investigational and applied research on recruitment, selection,
placements, appraisal and vocational development to improve the
staffing activity and solve particular staffing problems; plans
and directs the provision of test development
services to personnel officers of the Public Service Commission
and other government departments and agencies to facilitate
and improve their staffing activities; provides professional
advice and information on matters related to the
occupational groups of the section; and performs related
duties.
Duties,
% of Time
- Manages the activities of the section, which has a staff of
three psychologists, two support staff and three summer interns
engaged in the conduct of personnel research and the provision of
test development services to assist the Public Service Commission
and other government departments and agencies in carrying out
their staffing activities within the Administrative Support,
Operational and Technical Categories
- by establishing guidelines for the section concerning work methods and procedures, services to be provided
and research to be done, in keeping with general guidelines set down for the division,
- by coordinating and evaluating research and service activities to ensure consistency of approach and
interpretation,
- by maintaining a progress report of the section's activities, projects completed and planned, for review
by the Division Chief,
- by establishing working relations with other sections and planning, with other section heads, projects to be
carried out simultaneously,
- by setting work priorities, allocating projects and reviewing work progress,
- by reviewing and appraising the performance of the staff of the section, providing advice on their work and
recommending their promotion, transfer or release,
- by advising the Division Chief concerning the staff requirements of the section and interviewing job
applicants,
25
of Time
- by ensuring that support staff is trained in the use of basic methods and techniques of personnel psychology, and
- by training summer interns in the principles and
techniques of personnel psychology through the provision of supervised practice in the day-to-day activities of the
section and the development and assignment of special research projects,
- Plans and directs the conduct of investigational and applied
research on recruitment, selection, placement, appraisal and
vocational development to identify the sources and variables that
improve or hinder the staffing activity and to solve
particular staffing problems
- by identifying areas in need of research through the review of staffing procedures, selection standards and
techniques used in the occupational groups of the section or as a result of requests from departmental officers to
solve particular staffing problems,
- by deciding which projects will be undertaken by the section, taking into consideration such factors as
present workload and affinity of the particular problem with projects already being carried out in the section or
in other sections,
- by meeting with departmental officers to define the problems precisely, study them in their environment
and formulate hypotheses to be tested,
- by discussing projects with staff members and giving general guidelines on the approaches to be followed,
- by reviewing research designs developed by staff
members,
- by reviewing work progress and providing advice and assistance in solving difficult professional and
administrative problems!,
- by reviewing and evaluating research reports and
recommendations for validity of assessments, soundness of
judgement and quality of presentation, and
- by communicating and explaining findings and
recommendations to Public Service Commission and
departmental officers and providing them with assistance on the
implementation of recommendations,
35
- Plans and directs the provision of personnel testing
services to Public Service Commission and departmental staffing
officers to ensure the validity and proper use of testing methods
and techniques, including the development, standardization
and application of psychometric techniques and the guidance of
government departments or agencies on the development and
use of their own techniques
- by developing criteria, within the occupational groups of the section, for the development and use of psychometric techniques by and the delegation of already
existing
% of Time
techniques to departmental personnel organizations, in keeping with the division's established Test Construction
Standards and policy on delegation of testing instruments,
- by meeting with departmental officers to study their
selection problems and provide advice and guidance on their proposals for the development and use of psychometric
techniques,
- by directing staff to review testing instruments
developed by departmental officers and formulating the quality criteria to be applied,
- by assessing the requirements for new techniques through the analysis of selection procedures used in the
Administrative Support, Operational and Technical Categories,
- by assigning priorities for the development of new
psychometric techniques, and
- by reviewing and approving all personnel testing
techniques to be used in the occupational groups for
which the section is responsible.
20
- Provides professional advice and information on all
personnel activities within the categories for which the section is responsible
- by addressing conferences of departmental managers to explain the reasons for and the implications of new
staffing techniques and procedures,
- by addressing meetings of organizations outside the Public Service to inform them of government policies
and practices in testing and related selection
procedures,
- by providing the staff of the Selection Standards
Division, Public Service Commission, with advice and assistance in the preparation of selection standards, and
- by interpreting current developments in personnel
psychology to the staffing officers of the Public
Service Commission,
10
- Performs related duties such as representing the division
at meetings of the Interdivisional Planning Program Committee
to discuss and resolve problems common to the Selection
Standards Division, the Delegation and Monitoring Division and the Selection Procedures and Testing Services Division;
reviewing and critically evaluating all research articles produced by
the division; and providing professional advice to other
research organizations within the Public Service, such as the Bureau
of Management Consulting Services.
10
Specifications
Degree
Technical Complexity
The work requires the application of a wide range of methods
and techniques, including a variety of statistical techniques, for
the development and conduct of research projects in all aspects of
the personnel staffing activity within the Administrative
Support, Operational and Technical Categories. The work also requires
the modification and initiation of techniques and procedures used
in the recruitment, selection, placement, appraisal and
vocational development of employees in these categories. For example,
the incumbent evaluated the procedures used to select students for
the Canadian Coast Guard College and assessed various alternative
methods for improving their effectiveness. The incumbent initiated
a research project based on the hypothesis that a test of
mathematical aptitude might lessen the failure rate on the mathematical
courses at the college and a new selection battery was developed,
the validity of the hypothesis having been confirmed by the
results of the research. Also realizing that departments would probably
find difficulty in assessing "Essential Qualifications" as defined
in the selection standards for the Administrative Support
Category, the incumbent initiated the development of a new rating scale
of these factors, one that would be reliable, of known validity
and machine-scorable. The initiation and planning of such projects requires the
development and testing of various criteria for assessing
the implications of established and proposed personnel procedures
and techniques, and the development of techniques to identify and
control the many factors that affect the particular staffing
activity under investigation. The work requires a thorough knowledge of the principles and
practices of personnel psychology, including psychological
testing, research methodology and statistics, job analysis,
interviewing and counseling. It also requires a thorough
understanding of personnel administration in the Public Service,
including the roles and responsibilities of the central agencies
and the departments of government, and all phases of the staffing process for the
occupational groups in the Administrative Support, Operational and
Technical Categories. It requires knowledge of the principles and
practices of position classification, pay determination and selection
standards in the Public Service. The incumbent must keep abreast of the
trends and developments in his field through continuing study of
research reports, psychological journals and tests, and contacts with
other psychologists.
3
Degree
The work also requires a good knowledge of the acts and
regulations pertinent to staffing, such as the Public
Service Employment Act and Regulations and the Public Service
Commission's Staffing Manual. It also requires knowledge of the
aims, objectives and operational problems of departments
served.
Professional Responsibility
The incumbent is responsible for assessing existing personnel
staffing procedures and techniques within the Administrative
Support, Operational and Technical Categories, determining the
research projects to be undertaken and planning the approaches to
be used in the investigation and solution of staffing
problems, and determining the need for and planning the modification and
innovation of personnel evaluation techniques. He is responsible
for establishing work procedures and priorities for the section
and for formulating guidelines and making decisions on the
development and use of psychometric techniques by departmental
personnel organizations. He is responsible for reviewing and
approving all personnel testing techniques developed for use in
occupational groups in the Administrative Support, Operational
and Technical Categories, monitoring their use by central agency
and departmental staffing organizations and recommending changes in the policy of the
division on delegation of psychometric techniques. The incumbent
assesses the implications of research findings and conclusions
and makes the appropriate recommendations. For example, the
incumbent recommended changes in the selection battery and new
career patterns for postal clerks to the Director, Staffing
Branch, Public Service Commission, and the Chief, Employment
Division, Post Office Department. The work is conducted within the policy and objectives set for
the Selection Procedures and Testing Services Division and in
accordance with guidelines issued by the Chief of the Division.
Guidance is received on matters of policy not clearly delineated
in official directives, determination of priorities between
projects and services carried out in the section that affect the
functioning of the division as a whole and disciplinary measures
to be taken against staff of the section. Work is checked for
attainment of objectives and adherence to policy and regulations
by monthly progress reports and discussions on the planning and
implementation of research projects and testing services. The incumbent is responsible for assessing training needs of
support staff and summer interns and determining the nature and
content of the training to be provided. The incumbent is responsible for giving professional advice
and guidance to central agency and departmental personnel
officers
3
Degree
on the development and use of selection procedures and
techniques within the Administrative Support, Operational and Technical
Categories. He provides advice on the solution of professional problems
to members of his staff and to other psychologists in the
division, and provides advice and information in the field of personnel
psychology and research methodology to members of other research
organizations within the Public Service.
Management Responsibility
The incumbent is responsible for planning, organizing and
directing the conduct of research and service activities to meet the
need for new or improved personnel staffing procedures and techniques
within the Administrative Support, Operational and Technical
Categories. He is responsible for supervising and coordinating the work of
three professional psychologists, two support staff and three summer
interns, establishing work procedures and schedules, providing
training, appraising performance and recommending further formal
training, promotion or transfer. The work requires estimating and recommending staff
requirements of the section and interviewing job applicants. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the activities
of the section with those of other sections in the division; for
example, he consults with the Head, Personnel Testing Services Section,
to plan and arrange for the administration and correction of
tests developed in his section, the writing of administrator's
and corrector's manuals, and the delegation of tests to government
departments and agencies. He is responsible for establishing
and maintaining effective working relations with officers in other divisions
and branches in his own and outside departments and agencies and
organizing the exchange of information and the conduct of co-operative
work projects.
3
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Bench-mark Position Numbers 4
Level: 4
Descriptive Title: CHIEF PSYCHOLOGIST, ST. ANNE'S HOSPITAL, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Summary
Under the general direction of the Hospital
Director, plans and directs the activities of the hospital's program in
clinical psychology; provides psychological advice and
information to other Chiefs of Service and to the Hospital
Director; directs and participates in the provision of
psychological assessment and treatment services; plans, directs
and carries out applied and theoretical research in psychiatry
and psychology, as the hospital's Director of Psychiatric and
Psychological Research; plans, directs and conducts the
hospital's training program in clinical psychology; and performs
related duties.
Duties,
% of Time
- Plans and directs the activities of the Psychology Service
of the hospital
- by assessing, through consultation with the Hospital Director and other Chiefs of Service, the need for
psychological assessment of patients on the various services, and for psychological contributions to the
treatment and rehabilitation programs of the hospital,
- by initiating, planning and organizing the activities of the Psychology Service in order to co-ordinate and
integrate psychological services with other professional services of the hospital,
- by supervising psychologists, psychology trainees and technical and clerical support staff, which includes the
recruitment and selection of staff, evaluation of performance and the establishment of work schedules and
work standards,
- by recommending establishment estimates,
- by budgeting funds and preparing establishment reviews and costing reports, and
- by purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment, such as test materials, clinical and laboratory manuals,
laboratory and office equipment and supplies.
20
- Provides psychological advice and information to other
Chiefs of Service and to the Hospital Director
- by participating in the planning of the hospital's treatment policy as the representative of the Psychology
Service,
- by acting as consultant in psychology to senior
treatment personnel of the hospital on all matters pertaining to the treatment and rehabilitation of the in-patients and
out-patients,
10
% of Time
- by providing advice to the Hospital Director on various administrative matters in which psychology can make a
contribution, such a s performance evaluation, management improvement and training programs, and
- by assessing the treatment activities of the hospital
and developing and recommending the use of new or revised
treatment and diagnostic procedures or the initiation of new
treatment programs.
- Directs and participates in the provision of
psychological assessment and treatment services
- by setting criteria and procedures to be followed and assigning priorities to cases referred to the Psychology
Service,
- by distributing the case load and assigning staff to the various treatment programs of the hospital according to
the nature of the particular problems to be dealt with and the knowledge and training of the various members of the
staff,
- by reviewing the diagnostic and treatment work of the
staff to the extent necessary to assure its adequacy and
professional competence,
- by providing advice and guidance to members of the staff on cases that present unusually difficult problems of
assessment and treatment,
- by carrying out special diagnostic consultations at the request of psychiatric or medical staff and conducting
individual and group therapy, and
- by evaluating the general quality and effectiveness of
the psychological assessment and treatment services of the hospital.
25
- Plans, directs and participates in the conduct of a research
program designed to afford a greater understanding or control
of mental states and behavioral processes, which includes the
study and evaluation of treatment and rehabilitation techniques,
studies in applied psychology and psychiatry and original inquiries
into basic science problems in psychology and psychiatry
- by keeping informed regarding the research needs of the hospital and of the profession in general and guiding
staff toward fruitful areas of investigation,
- by evaluating research plans presented by staff members,
- by preparing and submitting research proposals and
designs to granting agencies such as the Medical Research Council,
- by preparing annual research estimates for review by the Research Committee of the hospital's Medical Board,
- by controlling the research budget, which includes
allocating funds to different projects or purchases and recommending additional expenditures,
- by organizing and supervising the research work carried out by the psychological staff and the personnel of the
Psychiatric Research Unit, setting work schedules,
conducting spot-check consultations and reviewing progress
reports,
25
% of Time
- by reviewing research reports for validity of
assessments and interpretations and quality of presentation, and
- by conducting own research projects and presenting
results in scientific articles for publication and research papers
for presentation at professional conferences.
- Plans, directs and conducts the training program of the
hospital in clinical psychology
- by organizing and directing the training program for
M.A. and Ph. D. interns and students in clinical psychology,
- by preparing and presenting lectures and seminars on various aspects of psychology to psychology interns and
graduate students,
- by evaluating the clinical and research work of
psychology trainees and reporting assessments to the universities,
- by organizing the training program of the hospital in
group psychotherapy, as co-director with the Chief
Psychiatrist, and providing supervised practice in this area to
psychiatry and psychology interns and staff,
- by advising the Chief of Service, Psychiatry, regarding the training program for psychiatric interns and
conducting seminars in psycho-diagnostic testing and
various other aspects of clinical psychology,
- by contributing psychological findings concerning
patients and research projects to the weekly Joint Psychiatric - Medical Conferences and preparing one conference per
month, and
- by organizing and participating in the conduct of
seminars with psychiatric nurses, orderlies and volunteer
workers, on various problems of human relations.
15
- Performs related duties such as searching for and collecting
new information in various fields of psychology; visiting
universities regarding intern training and professional development;
preparing and delivering addresses to interested professional groups;
and planning and organizing the contribution of the Psychology
Service to hospital and community projects such as "Mental Health
Week" and "Open House".
5
Specifications
Degree
Technical Complexity
The work requires originality and creativity in designing
psychological research and service programs and formulating approaches for
investigating and providing new knowledge in broad areas of
study, in order to provide the hospital's treatment staff and the
psychology profession and associated disciplines with new
information on and new methods for dealing with complex clinical
problems. Typical examples of this requirement include the
development of a five phase Treatment-Research Program to answer
the need for a systematic approach to evaluation,
Degree
treatment and follow-up of hospitalized alcoholic patients
with psychiatric problems; the development and standardization of
a battery of objective psychological tests, and an objective
multiple choice Rorschach test to enable the assessment of
minimum activity levels and behaviour changes in severely
regressed, "vegetating" schizophrenics; and the design and
direction of a research study into the psychophysiological and clinical effects of LSD 25, sodium amytol
and methedrine in alcoholics and schizophrenics, which because of
the negative findings resulted in the discontinuance of the use
of LSD 25 as a treatment aid. Such achievements represent
original contributions to clinical knowledge and treatment
procedures and are often adopted by the staff of other hospitals for use in their own
treat ment and research activities. The nature of the work requires adapting existing clinical
theory to the solution of new and unusual problems. Methods and
criteria must be devised to evaluate the effectiveness of
existing treatment procedures and clinical theories and to
determine the nature and extent of changes and innovations
required to keep the psychological research and service programs
relevant to current requirements.
The work requires comprehensive knowledge of and training in
the application of the theory, principles and techniques
governing the various functions of clinical psychology, including
psycho-physiology, developmental psychology, social psychology,
personality theory, psychopathology, construction and application
of objective and projective psychometric techniques, methods
of behaviour therapy and psychotherapy, research methodology and
statistical procedures, and training methods and techniques. The
incumbent must search for and collect information on new trends
and developments in his field through continuous contact with the
chairmen of departments of psychology of local universities as
well as psychologists practicing in other institutions, attendance at professional meetings and
conferences, and continuing study of professional journals
and new books published in the field. The incumbent must be
thoroughly familiar with the theory and practices of associated
disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, psychiatry,
neurology and general medicine in order to recognize and meet
their needs for psychological services and to initiate the
development of new techniques and procedures that could be of use to them. The incumbent must also keep abreast
of new developments in the theory and practices of these
associated professions. The work requires a thorough knowledge of the organization,
objectives and working procedures of other services within
the hospital and in outside institutions. It also requires a
thorough knowledge of the organization and objectives of the
department and of departmental instructions and hospital
regulations.
Degree
In organizing and directing the training, treatment and
rehabilitation activities of the Psychology Service the
incumbent must deal with a variety of outside organizations such
as universities, community social agencies, training
organizations and professional associations. This requires a
thorough understanding of the objectives, organization and
working procedures of these organizations.
professional Responsibility
The incumbent of the position is responsible for developing a
balanced and effective program in clinical psychology. In
this connection he evaluates the hospital's requirements for
psychological services, establishes the activities to be carried
out by the Psychology Service in such areas as psychodiagnosis,
psychotherapy, ongoing treatment and rehabilitation programs and
training, and evaluates, initiates or modifies methods and
procedures for application to these various areas of
psychological work. He is responsible for identifying areas for study, evaluating research
proposals, and initiating and directing research studies in
psychology and psychiatry. The incumbent establishes
professional procedures and quality criteria for the Psychology
Service; he makes all professional decisions in his own work in
the areas of assessment therapy, research and training; he is
required to make authoritative and final decisions on problem
cases referred to him by the staff of his own and other services; and he assumes professional
responsibility for any work at the establishment in the field of
clinical psychology. The incumbent is also responsible as Chief of the Psychology
Service for participation, in conjunction with the Hospital Director
and other Chiefs of Service, in determining the needs of patients
for treatment and services, and in planning for the provision of
such treatment and services. In this connection, the incumbent
critically evaluates established treatment policy and programs,
identifies areas in which new or revised procedures and
techniques appear warranted, and develops and recommends the
implementation of new or revised treatment programs or
techniques. The incumbent assumes full responsibility for the technical
quality of his own work and that of his staff and for the
direction of the Psychology Service. Guidance is in the form of
departmental and hospital policies and regulations and broad
program plans. Work is checked through periodic program reviews.
Recommendations concerning research studies and treatment policy
and programs are usually accepted and followed subject to the
review and evaluation of their administrative and financial implications.
4
Degree
The incumbent is responsible for evaluating the needs for
training in clinical psychology and deciding on the nature and
content of the psychological training to be given to his own
staff and to other treatment staff at the hospital. He is also
responsible for developing and conducting a training program
for Ph.D. and M.A. interns and graduate students in clinical psychology. The incumbent provides authoritative advice to the senior
professional staff of the hospital in all matters in which
psychology can make a contribution. For example, he acts as
special consultant in neurological, psychiatric or medical
cases that present unusual problems of diagnosis or treatment; he
acts as consultant to the Chief of Service, Psychiatry, regarding
the training program for psychiatric interns, and he provides advice to the Hospital Director and
other Chiefs of Service on the mental health implications of the
treatment policy and ongoing treatment programs of the
hospital. He provides professional advice to the senior
management personnel of the hospital on various administrative
matters; for example, on the development of management
improvement programs for the ad-administrative staff. He
also provides advice and information to treatment any, research
personnel of other hospitals, clinics, universities and government agencies concerning research findings and new
treatment methods and techniques.
Management Responsibility
The incumbent is responsible for formulating the work program
of the Psychology Service and for directing all phases of the
operation, in order to meet the needs of the hospital for
psychological assessment, treatment, training and research
services. He is responsible for establishing work priorities and
procedures and directing a staff of seven professional and
support personnel. The incumbent is also responsible for planning
and organizing a training program in clinical psychology and
has continuing responsibility for the direction of a number of interns. This may include at any one time two
Ph.D students, two or three M.A. students and, during the summer
months, two student assistants. The incumbent carries the
university staff appointment of Supervisor, Intern Training, and
is responsible for interviewing and selecting interns; Lecturing
to them in the field of clinical psychology; allocating
diagnostic, treatment and research work; supervising and
evaluating their practical work; and giving his assessment of their qualifications to the
universities. The incumbent is responsible for recommending establishment
estimates for the Psychology Service, budgeting funds, and
preparing establishment reviews and costing reports. As Chief,
Psychiatric and Psychological Research, the incumbent is
responsible for preparing annual research estimates for review by
the Research Committee of the hospitals Medical Board, and for
budgeting operational and capital research funds amounting to
approximately .30,000.
4
Degree
The Chief, Psychology Service, is responsible for the
co-ordination of psychological activities with, and their
integration into, other professional services of the hospital.
This is done by establishing effective working relations with senior personnel in related
professions, by participating in staff conferences and planning
meetings as the representative of psychology, and by sitting on
boards and committees that are responsible for the most critical
case decisions.
BENCH-MARK POSITION DESCRIPTION
Bench-mark Position Number: 5
Level: 5
Descriptive Title: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, TREATMENT, TRAINING AND PROGRAM PLANNING,
CANADIAN PENITENTIARY SERVICE
Summary
Under the general direction of the Director, Treatment,
Training and Program Planning, is in charge of the department's
Classification and Psychological Services, which provide
professional support to the training and rehabilitation function
of the Canadian Penitentiary Service; provides professional
advisory and consultant services to senior departmental officers;
acts as consultant regarding the conduct of research in
psychology, criminology and sociology; represents the Canadian
Penitentiary Service on a variety of committees and meetings; and
makes decisions and recommendations in matters of discipline and
custody of inmates.
Duties
% of Time
- Plans, organizes and directs the activities of the
Classification and Psychological Services of the Canadian Penitentiary
Service, with a large staff of professional psychologists,
sociologists, criminologists and social workers and supporting staff
engaged in the assessments counseling, guidance and
rehabilitation of inmates of federal penal institutions across Canada
- by issuing in the name of the Commissioner of the Penitentiary Service directives and instructions to
wardens of penal institutions concerning the nature and extent of psychological and classification services
to be provided to inmates:
- by making periodic visits to penal institutions to assess the quality of services provided to inmates
and to ensure that policy directives are implemented,
- by establishing and supervising the implementation of the various criteria of personality characteristics,
motivation, intelligence and emotional stability that govern the transfer of inmates to reduced security
institutions, to ensure objectivity and consistency in the decisions made in these matters by the
classification and psychological staff,
- by continually reviewing and evaluating staff carrying out the functions of the Classification and Psychological
Services, and providing advice on their work problems,
- by organizing and conducting training courses for staff in such areas as counseling, psychological assessment
and interviewing techniques,
- by preparing and correcting qualifying examinations for the promotion of classification staff.
40
% of Time
- by assessing the requirements for staff, materials, equipment and facilities,
- by assessing the relative merits of alternative forms of organization and developing new organization structures,
- by conducting a program review, preparing annual
estimates and operating a system of budgetary control, and
- by establishing qualifications required for
appointments, recruiting and selecting staff, and deciding on the transfer, promotion and discipline of staff.
- Provides professional consultant services to senior
departmental officers to assist them in the planning and implementation
of inmate treatment and rehabilitation policy and programs and
to give professional advice in the selection and training of
staff for federal penal institutions
- by reviewing and assessing construction plans for penal institutions from the point of view of their psychological
influence on inmates,
- by recommending changes in the content of the
Penitentiary Service's inmate training program in order to improve inmate motivation,
- by establishing criteria for the selection of inmates to take part in the various aspects of the training program,
- by developing recommendations concerning the kind and number of staff required to carry out training and
rehabilitation programs in regional reception centers,
institutions and community release centers,
- by designing, at the request of the Deputy Commissioner of
the Canadian Penitentiary Service or of the Director of
Treatment and Training, new types of treatment and training programs for specialized institutions, such as institutions for
young offenders and the therapeutic community experimental
projects at Springhill,
- by overseeing the implementation of these programs,
investigating the problems encountered and making
appropriate modifications to program plans,
- by recommending changes in policy required for the
proper implementation of new rehabilitation programs,
- by advising the Assistant Director of Personnel, Staff Training, on the content of staff training courses and
lecturing on human behavior, personality and criminal psychology at Correctional Staff Colleges,
- by acting as professional consultant to the National
Film Board in the preparation of staff training films,
- by advising on the psychological suitability of certain
job applicants at the request of the Director of Personnel,
and
- by advising selection boards on the personality factors involved in the selection or promotion of institutional
staff.
35
% of Time
- Acts as consultant to senior departmental officials
regarding research projects in psychology, sociology and criminology
carried out by the psychological staff of the Penitentiary Service or
by universities under research grants awarded by the Office of
the Deputy Solicitor General
- by assessing the value and significance of research proposals submitted by the psychological staff and by
universities,
- by authorizing research projects in psychology to be carried out in federal penal institutions,
- by formulating research projects to be carried out by universities under research grants, at the request of
the Deputy Commissioner of the Penitentiary Service,
- by maintaining contact with universities through regular meetings, to discuss the progress of research and to
arrange for the exchange of information, and
- by collaborating with the heads of Correctional Research in the office of the Deputy Solicitor General and in the
Penitentiary Service in the implementation and final assessment of research findings.
10
- Represents the Canadian Penitentiary Service on a number
of committees and meetings to co-ordinate and integrate the rehabilitation work of the Canadian Penitentiary Service
with the programs of a variety of private and governmental
agencies and departments
- by meeting with the directors and presidents of various after-care agencies such as the John Howard Society, the
Salvation Army, the Catholic Rehabilitation Service and the Société d'Orientation et de Rehabilitation
Sociale, to integrate their work with that of the Penitentiary Service with respect to prerelease planning for and
counseling of inmates,
- by meeting with officials of the National Parole Board to discuss plans for the parole or transfer of individual
inmates and to ensure better co-ordination of services, such as the improvement in the exchange of information
between the Parole Board and the Penitentiary Service or the establishment of guidelines to control the
contacts of parole officers with inmates,
- by participating, as a member of the Department of Manpower and Immigration's Joint Committee on the
Rehabilitation of Inmates, in the discussion and
elaboration of policy and procedures that will provide
continuity in the treatment and training programs provided for
inmates during incarceration and the rejobbing efforts undertaken after release, and
- by participating, as a member of the Interdepartmental Committee on Indians and the Law, in the discussion and
10
% of Time
resolution of such questions as ways and means of
motivating Indians, what kinds of rehabilitation programs would be especially suitable to them, and whether Indians should
have special prisons or be integrated into existing
institutions.
- Makes decisions and recommendations in matters of discipline
and custody of inmates, such as requests for restoration of
forfeited statutory remission, temporary absence, permission to marry
or transfer to another region, in cases that involve behavioural
or emotional factors or where conflicting recommendations are
submitted by the staff in the field
- by evaluating the reasons given by inmates for their requests and the accompanying recommendations submitted
by psychologists or psychiatrists and wardens of
institutions,
- by reviewing and assessing the background history of individual cases,
- by determining the psychological implications of the granting or refusal of requests,
- by communicating decisions and recommendations to the wardens of institutions or to the Director, Treatment
and Training, outlining the behavioural and motivational implications of the findings, and
- by presenting and justifying recommendations to the Minister for the restoration of forfeited statutory
remission in cases involving the restoration of 90 days or more.
5
Specifications,
Dearge
Technical Complexity
The work requires translating theoretical concepts into
operationally feasible rehabilitation programs and developing novel
approaches to the solution of problems. An example is the development of
the treatment and training program for new types of federal
medium security institutions for young offenders and selected adults.
This program represents a new concept in dealing with this type of
inmate and includes many departures from established practices. For
example, in an attempt to break delinquency patterns in young offenders
the incumbent established psychological criteria for grouping
inmates on the basis of intelligence, educational level and type of
activity, as opposed to the traditional approach of grouping offenders
on the basis of age. Such developmental work requires the analysis
and coordination of the many variables that affect the total impact
of the rehabilitation program. This includes responsibility for such
things as defining criteria for the selection and grouping of inmates
to take part in the program; determining the type and number of staff
required to carry out the program and developing the psychological
criteria for their selection; and establishing guidelines for the provision
of
counselling of, and prerelease planning for, inmates and for
the coordination of rehabilitation efforts with the
personnel of various private and governmental after-care
organizations. The work also requires developing and integrating new or
revised procedures and treatment concepts into existing
departmental programs. For example, the incumbent developed new
administrative procedures and established psychological criteria
to govern decisions on transfers of inmates between the various
types of federal penal institutions in order to increase the objectivity of these
decisions and enhance the effectiveness of inmate transfers as treatment
and rehabilitation tools. The incumbent was also one of the
principal consultants in the development and implementation of a new
treatment program for federal institutions for drug addicts. And
as a result of a study and evaluation of the personality of the
drug addict, the incumbent ensured the modification of the
therapeutic community approach to the treatment of drug offenders
to include individual psychotherapy and counselling in order to
accommodate those inmates who were unable to withstand group
pressure. The work carries a constant requirement for coordinating and
integrating treatment and rehabilitation plans and programs
with other areas of institutional work, and for finding solutions
to problems of conflict between what is desirable in terms of the
rehabilitation function of the Canadian Penitentiary Service and
what is possible in terms of its custodial function and
administrative limitations. The work requires an authoritative and up-to-date knowledge of
psychological theories, principles and techniques, including
those of clinical psychology, social psychology and abnormal
psychology; the psychology of learning and motivation; and
psychological research methodology and statistics. The work also
requires a comprehensive knowledge of the theories, principles
and practices of such associated disciplines as sociology, social
work, criminology and psychiatry. The incumbent must study and
evaluate changes and developments In these fields, particularly as they apply to penological work,
in order to determine their implications for the work of the
Classification and Psychological Services and for other
departmental programs. The work requires an authoritative knowledge of the aims and
organization of the department and of its requirements for
professional advice and services and a comprehensive knowledge of
the legislation and regulations under which the programs of the
department are established, such as the Penitentiary Act, the
Penitentiary Service Regulations and the Commissioner's
Directives and Instructions.
5
Degree
The incumbent is responsible for ensuring consistency and
continuity between the treatment and training provided to inmates by the
Canadian Penitentiary Service and the activities of a wide variety of
governmental and private organizations that are involved in the
rehabilitation of criminal offenders. This requires
comprehensive knowledge of the organization and programs of such
government departments as Indian Affairs and Northern
Development, Manpower and Immigration, and the National Parole
Board and a detailed and up-to-date knowledge of the internal
organization, management and programs of such private agencies as
the John Howard Society, the Salvation Army and the Catholic
Rehabilitation Service.
Professional Responsibility,
The incumbent is fully responsible for establishing guidelines
and defining objectives for the provision of classification and
psychological services to inmates of federal penal
institutions, and for providing leadership and direction to
a large group of professionals working in a number of different
but interrelated disciplines. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating departmental
policy and practices regarding the handling of inmates,
identifying areas where new approaches appear warranted, and
developing new techniques and procedures and recommending their
implementation. For example, to remedy the lack of any consistent
and objective criteria for con trolling transfers of inmates
between the various types of federal penal institutions, the
incumbent developed a plan that called for the establishment of
regional classification boards, composed of classification officers from the various institutions within a
region and one psychologist, which would decide on inmate
transfers in accordance with a set of criteria that included a
comprehensive evaluation of the inmate's personality,
intellectual assets, treatment needs and general potential
for rehabilitation. With the approval of the Commissioner, this
new approach to the problem of controlling inmate transfers
became part of established departmental policy and its
implementation an ongoing responsibility of the position of the
incumbent. The incumbent is also responsible for making decisions in
matters of discipline and custody of inmates, such as requests
for restoration of forfeited statutory remission, temporary
absence, and permission to marry or transfer to another region.
Decisions are based on a thorough analysis of the background
history of each case and of the different opinions presented for
or against the granting of the request, and on an evaluation of
the psychological implications of the granting or refusal of the
request.
Decree
The incumbent is the senior authority in his field in the
department and carries complete responsibility for the professional
competence of his decisions and opinions and those of his staff. The
Director, Treatment, Training and Program Planning, periodically reviews
and discusses the work of the incumbent to ensure that it is
consistent with the general objectives of the Canadian Penitentiary
Service. The incumbent is responsible for the professional development
of his staff, and organizes and conducts training courses in
psychological theory and techniques for the psychological and classification
staff and keeps them informed of new developments in the field. He
is also responsible for organizing and directing a program of
practical training in psychology for approximately 30 summer interns.
The incumbent is required to prepare and deliver lectures on
human behaviour and personality and criminal psychology as part of
the training courses given to institutional staff at
Correctional Staff Colleges, and to advise on course content. The incumbent acts as professional resource person to the
Director, Treatment, Training and Program Planning, to the Deputy
Commissioner, and to other senior departmental officials. Advice is given
on a wide variety of matters in which knowledge of the social
sciences can be of service, and this advice often constitutes effective
recommendations for the development and conduct of
departmental programs.
5
Management Responsibility
The incumbent is fully responsible for establishing and
organizing the work program and allocating the resources of the
Classification and Psychological Services of the Canadian Penitentiary
Service and for directing all phases of the operation. He is
responsible for managing a multidisciplinary staff of approximately 170
professional, technical and clerical personnel, for
selecting, allocating, promoting, training and developing staff,
and for appraising personnel performance. The exercise of
supervision and direction over this large staff located all
across the country requires that the incumbent have an
appreciation of the particular problems facing each of the
subordinate supervisors under his direction in order to
offer constructive appraisals and suggestions for
improvements in the work methods and techniques and to negotiate
satisfactory solutions to problems of communication and
co-ordination with other staff in the institutions and with the
personnel of outside agencies. The incumbent is responsible for estimating annual
requirements for staff, equipment and facilities and projecting such
requirements for a five-year period, operating a system of budgetary control,
and conducting establishment reviews.
Decree
Of primary importance to the work of the incumbent is the
responsibility for coordinating and integrating classification and
psychological work with work being done in other areas. He is responsible for
coordinating the general program of the Classification and Psychological
Services with other departmental programs, such as those of Security,
Education and Vocational Training. At the institutional level the incumbent
must ensure the integration of psychology and classification with
other services in the institution. The incumbent represents the department on a number of
committees and meetings with representatives of various governmental and
private departments and agencies and is authorized to make
arrangements for the co-ordination of the treatment and training activities of the
Canadian Penitentiary Service with the programs of a wide variety of
public and private organizations.