State Agency Psychological Consultant

Job Description :

A State Agency Psychological Consultant (SAPC) - Psychiatrist is a licensed physician (medical doctor) in the State of Texas, hired by and reporting to the Social Security Administration (SSA) state Disability Determination Services (DDS) Medical Consultant Services Division.

The SAPC is responsible for making accurate and timely mental and / or physical disability determinations on SSA disability claims based on SSA disability regulations.

• Duties include : Performing highly advanced disability determination medical case reviews ensuring the Social Security disability case is fully documented;
• all significant facts are reflected in the determination; conflicting evidenced is reconciled; the conclusion reached is sound and rational;
• the weight given to the evidence is explained; the reasoning and thought process followed in evaluating the evidence are reflected;

and the effect of the impairment(s) on the disability applicant’s work capacity is clearly indicated. Work is performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and judgment.

This position occasionally requires work during the weekends, holidays, and before or after normal business hours. DDS employees perform all business functions for the Social Security Administration (SSA), using the federal SSA network and equipment.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-12 security clearance is required.

Essential Job Functions :

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Performs a full professional evaluation of the case, including the assessment of residual functioning capacity and, assess other specific medical issues, signing assessments and determinations as appropriate for all claim types / levels as assigned by the DDS.

Assists Disability Specialists, as necessary, in determining whether proposed development seems likely to provide sufficient detail about the applicant’s impairment to complete the case to the extent necessary for a disability determination and evaluates the sufficiency of the evidence and need for further testing.

Establish standards for customer-focused communication and coordination within areas of responsibility and with all internal and external associates and customers.

Determines severity, whether the claimant meets or equals a listing, or for a Title XVI child whether the claimant’s impairment functionality equals the listings.

Acts as a liaison between the DDS and the medical community making physician to physician contacts to obtain or clarify medical evidence, as needed.

Participates in training and staff development for new and current adjudicative staff and serves as a Subject Matter Expert when called upon to do so.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities :

Skill in applying SSA medical regulations, policies, and procedures relating to disability adjudication.

Skill in evaluating physical and mental impairments as prescribed by Social Security.

Skill in reading and analyzing documents, reports, and correspondence, and relating the information to the requirements for disability determinations within the framework of the SSA disability program.

Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, procedures and diagnostic evaluations and assessments.

Skill in communicating both written and verbally, for understanding, to both medical professionals and lay-persons.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and rapport with managers, co-workers, supervisors, medical community, claimants, the general public and other DDS, HHS, and SSA partners.

Ability to use Social Security Administration software system or a comparable system.

Ability to protect and safeguard confidential and sensitive personal, medical, and vocational information in accordance with federal and state mandates.

Skill in adapting to program changes and fluctuating workloads.

Ability to manage time, work under pressure, organize job related responsibilities, and meet deadlines.

Knowledge of the provisions of the Social Security Act.

Knowledge of legal principles as they apply to the SSA disability program.