Disability Review Psychologist (NY HELPS)

The Disability Review Psychologist would participate as a member of a disability adjudication team, in the granting or disapproval of disability claims under the Social Security law.

The duties of these positions will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Evaluate medical and psychological information provided in support of Social Security disability claims.

Interprets psychiatric and psychological tests and reports, applying Social Security Administration standards to ensure accurate and uniform documentation and determinations.

• Evaluate complex psychological or psychiatric issues using professional expertise and program guidelines to ensure an appropriate resolution, or to prepare a well-developed policy referral.
• Provide advice and consultation to the Division of Disability Determinations staff in the interpretation of medical and psychological information and in the pursuit of further information needed to apply the federal regulations and guidelines.
• Provide advice and consultation to Disability Analysts in determining the needs for consultative examinations and recommend alternate approaches to obtaining required evidence if it appears such examinations are unnecessary.
• Obtain additional documentation or clarifying information by specialist-to-specialist phone contacts with previously contacted or newly identified treatment sources (or other third-party sources).
• Provide training to staff in evaluation and interpretation of medical reports, data and examination results working with the Division’s Medical Relations Office, assist in developing and improving relations with the medical community to improve the flow of needed supportive medical documentation and to minimize case processing time.

Minimum Qualifications

Eligible candidates must possess a doctoral degree in Psychology and be licensed and currently registered to practice Psychology in New York State.

Ny Helps:

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, candidates may be hired via a non-competitive appointment if they meet the below NY HELPS minimum qualifications.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Non-Competitive Qualifications:

A doctoral degree in psychology, licensure and current registration to practice psychology in New York State.

Competitive Qualifications:

Eligible for a lateral transfer or eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law by having one year of permanent competitive service in an appropriate title. Information regarding transfer eligibility is available on the Civil Service Career Mobility Office website at https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/