Tentative Classification Standards issued by the Division of Classification & Compensation are shared with the operating agencies of State government for their consideration and comment. Accordingly, this document that you are viewing is subject to change and will be issued in final form at the completion of the review period.

TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 6161600

 

DISABILITY REVIEW PSYCHOLOGIST, GRADE 25                                   

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS 

 

 Disability Review Psychologists participate as a member of various two-person disability adjudication teams in the review and determination of disability applications and payments for mental impairments under the Social Security Law.

 

Positions in this class exist only in the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.  

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISITICS   

 

DISABILITY REVIEW PSYCHOLOGIST:  full performance level; evaluates medical and psychological information on the full range of medical and psychological disability claims submitted for payment under the Social Security Law.

 

 

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

              Disability Analysts review individual claims for disability benefits under the provisions of Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act and special programs to determine eligibility for such benefits. Analysts review, evaluate and adjudicate initial, continuing and other disability claims.

 

            Disability Review Physician Specialists review and evaluate medical appropriateness of approval or disapproval of requests for disability payments under the Social Security law.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

Evaluates the medical appropriateness of the medical determinations made in the granting or disapproval of requests for disability payments for mental impairments under the Social Security Law.   

 

·         Review disability cases, evaluating the medical evidence related to the case to determine its adequacy in supporting the disability decision made; assess the validity of mental impairments to ensure appropriate disability determinations have been made.

 

·         Provide advice and consultation to Disability Analysts in determining the needs for consultative examinations and recommend alternate approaches to obtaining required medical evidence if it appears such examinations are unnecessary.

    

·          Provide assistance to staff in the determination of the more difficult mental impairment cases, and recommend alternate examination approaches that will provide a more effective case determination.

·         Interpret medical terminology and application of medical evidence in the determinations process.

 

·         Develop and improve relations with those involved in the care and treatment of the mentally ill and/or mentally impaired to improve the flow of needed supportive medical documentation and to minimize case processing time.

 

·         Provide training to staff in evaluation and interpretation of medical reports, data and examination results.

 

 

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS   

 

Open Competitive:  Doctoral degree in psychology, licensure and current registration to practice psychology in New York State and two years of psychology experience in a clinical or community mental health setting.

 

 

Date:  3/10

             

 

 

 

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.