CHILDREN, YOUTH AND WOMEN S HEALTH SERVICE JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION POSITION DETAILS Position Title: Senior Clinical Psychologist Classification: PO2 Position No: WC0469 Cost Centre: 02811 Reports to: Unit Head Type of Appointment: Permanent Temp up to 31/08/2010 Casual FTE: 0.5 Date Prepared: 20/8/09 Initial Location: Department of Psychological Medicine Directorate: Primary Population Division: Mental Health Department of Psychological Medicine PREAMBLE The Children, Youth and Women s Health Service (CYWHS) was established to promote, maintain and restore the health of women, children and young people in South Australia. The Service plans, develops and coordinates health services as part of an integrated health system. The Children, Youth and Women s Health Service efficiently conducts and manages, within its identified resources, health services for children, young people and women, including: Specialist hospital services Primary health care and population health programs Integrated community care services Services to address the health and well being of particular populations, including Aboriginal Health Programs Education and training programs Research. CONTEXT AND PURPOSE OF POSITION The Senior Clinical Psychologist is a person who through education and experience is able to effectively plan, provide and manage a coordinated clinical psychology service to clients of the Department of Psychological Medicine, which results in a professionally competent contribution to the mental health of children, adolescents and their families, within the Division of Mental Health, Children, Youth & Women s Health Service. This includes the direct provision of psychological assessment, treatment services, program design, implementation and evaluation. REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS/INTERACTIONS Reports to the Head, Department of Psychological Medicine and is accountable for professional issues to the Chief Clinical Psychologist., DPM. Works collaboratively with other staff within the Department of Psychological Medicine Direct Reports to this position: Nil reports DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY FOR THIS POSITION (refer to the CYWHS Delegations) As per CYWHS Delegations
KEY CHALLENGES - Details significant challenges beyond day-to-day responsibilities and relates to the environment in which the position operates) The Senior Clinical Psychologist is responsible for: promoting positive mental health outcomes for population groups with complex psychological disorders providing an efficient, high quality clinical service contributing to the professional knowledge base within clinical psychology and encouraging the development of post graduate psychology students developing services to best meet the needs of clients and their families maximising well being and health for clients and their families GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Managers and staff are required to work in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Public Employees, Regional Policies and Procedures and legislative requirements including: Occupational Health Safety and Welfare, Equal Employment Opportunities (including prevention of bullying, harassment and intimidation), Keeping Them Safe Legislation (inclusive of Mandatory Notifier), Disability Discrimination, Code of Fair Information Practice, Relevant Awards and Enterprise Agreements, Public Sector Management Act 1995 (Section 4, 5 & 6 only) and the Health Care Act 2008, Relevant Australian Standards, Duty to maintain confidentiality, Smoke free workplace, Applying the principles of the South Australian Government s Risk Management Policy to their work as appropriate, To value and respect the needs and contributions of CYWHS Aboriginal staff and clients, and commit to the development of Aboriginal cultural competence across all CYWHS practice and service delivery, and To uphold and demonstrate the Region s values of Care and Compassion, Equity, Diversity, Innovation and Creativity, Participation and Collaboration, Respect, Accountability and Integrity. PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT Required to participate in the organisation s Performance Development program which will include a regular review of employee s performance against the responsibilities, performance outcome measures associated with their position and demonstration of appropriate behaviours which reflect a commitment to CYWHS values and strategic directions. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 1 Provision of high quality, specialist assessment and mental health services to ensure effective multi-disciplinary service delivery at a local team and broad organisational level. 1.1 Provision of assessment and therapy services to children, young people and families 1.2 Liaison within the hospital and with outside organisations to ensue the best service for clients with complex psychological and medical conditions by: Responsibility for a direct caseload Consulting and liaising with other health professionals within the hospital to facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to health and well being for clients and their families. Consulting and liaising with community based welfare and educational agencies to facilitate and promote mental health in the wider community. Participating in specific mental health programmes and interventions developed and conducted within the Department. Delivering presentations to hospital and community based groups regarding psychological issues, adjustment to chronic illness and sibling issues. Documented assessment, case plans and clinical reviews. Case audit Identified collaborative working relationships. Peer review. Competencies identified, reviewed and development of goals set through supervision and performance appraisal process Feedback from consumers indicates level of satisfaction 2
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 2 Provision of high quality, specialist developmental and mental health services to children, adolescents and their families who are eligible for services through the Dept of Psychological Medicine 2.1 The Senior Clinical Psychologist promotes positive mental heath outcomes for population groups with developmental and complex psychological disorders and provides an efficient, high quality clinical psychology service by: Ensuring that all clientele undergoing developmental/psychological assessments, family and/or behavioural treatment receive care that meets the highest clinical and ethical standards by personally coordinating and taking responsibility for such treatment. Undertaking appropriate assessment of complex clients including cognitive, developmental, behavioural, educational, emotional and social aspects of an individual s functioning within the context of broader family systems. Administering, scoring and interpreting standardised quantitative psychological assessment procedures and qualitative measures in order to assess and diagnose the current psychological status of those referred. Undertaking appropriate family assessment of clients and their families where indicated and provide family based therapy. Formulating a conceptual understanding based on an appreciation of relevant theories and research in the field of child psychology and provide therapy and treatment programmes as required for the client and their family. Provide therapeutic intervention that is scientifically sound. Documented assessment, case plans and clinical reviews. Case audit Maintaining up to date knowledge and skills in assessment methods As above Therapeutic services provided to relevant clients within identified case load. Documentation of therapeutic services. Peer review MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY 3 Continuous improvement 3.1 The Senior Clinical Psychologist promotes and contributes to the professional knowledge base within clinical psychology and other disciplines by: Initiating and participating in research and evaluation programmes. Providing supervision to Master of Psychology students on placements. Acting as a professional resource for other non psychology staff members and service providers in relation to clinical psychology matters, research and evaluation. Participating in peer review and quality assurance procedures. Giving lectures and seminars to groups inside and outside the service. Staff Performance Appraisal SPECIAL CONDITIONS Some out of hours work will be required. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check. Intra and interstate travel may be required. May be relocated to meet organisational need. 3
PERSON SPECIFICATION - Please limit essential criteria to no more than 15. Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Knowledge required to fulfil the requirements of this position ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary) Qualifications: A Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from a course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society and registered under the provisions of the Psychological Practices Act, 1973. Skills: Demonstrated ability to design and implement complex psychological assessments and interventions Demonstrated strong commitment to research and evaluation. Demonstrated ability to express complex ideas succinctly and logically. Demonstrated ability of effective communication, consultation and liaison. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team. Experience: Minimum of two years full time post graduate experience (or part-time equivalent) Clinical experience in the area of child/adolescent psychology, especially in developmental assessments, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Experience in working within a multi-disciplinary team and with a range of agencies. Experience in providing advanced clinical services to children, adolescents and their families experiencing a wide range of emotional and behaviour disturbance. Knowledge: Understanding of current theoretical concepts and research strategies within the science of psychology and their application to mental health issues and problems. Knowledge of developmental psychology and its application in child, adolescent and family mental health problems. Knowledge of family and systems theory Knowledge of child and adolescent mental health and community health services DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements) Qualifications: Higher degree (e.g, PhD) Skills Ability to express complex ideas clearly and demonstrated ability to write research reports and grants Demonstrated ability to undertake quantitative and qualitative research and publish such research. Ability to motivate other professional staff Experience: Evidence of involvement in relevant professional and/or service associations Experience in supervision of other clinical psychologists Working familiarity of a paediatric hospital system involving inpatient and outpatient work Knowledge: Knowledge of community resources and their organisational structures Working knowledge of current diagnostic and classification system General understanding of psychopharmacological principles as they relate to psychological and behavioural well being. An understanding of the relationship between social contexts and mental health systems Approved By Delegate Jon Jureidinii (Print Name) (Signature) (Date) I have read and understand the responsibilities, performance outcomes and performance measures described within this document: Acknowledged by Position Incumbent (Print Name) (Signature) (Date) Note: The Job Specification is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, but is intended to reflect the major responsibilities associated with the position. As the strategic directions of the organisation and division/department change, this Job Specification may change and develop. However, areas of responsibility will remain within the identified classification. 4
Children, Youth and Women s Health Service ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES Thank you for the interest you have shown in working in the Children, Youth and Women s Health Service (CYWHS). These guidelines have been developed to assist you in understanding what we require from candidates we have tried to simplify the process making it easier to apply to work in our organisation. Applying for a job: Candidates are requested to submit an application that includes: 1. A covering letter, no more than two pages in length, detailing the title and reference number for the position you are applying for (if the position has been advertised) and how you found out about the position (ie advertised in the press, on the website, word of mouth) a summary of your qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, relevant to the role (please consider the selection criteria set out in the Person specification when preparing your covering letter) 2. A Resume/Curriculum Vitae, detailing Personal and contact details Qualifications, education, training, professional registration/associations Employment History Contact details for 3 relevant referees (please include a current or recent line Manager if possible) **Please note it is not necessary to address each requirement detailed in the person specification. All appointments to the Children Youth and Women s Health Service are subject to: A satisfactory police check A Pre-employment Health Assessment Relevant registration, qualification and visa requirements to work in the position Any other specific requirements for the role will be detailed on the Job and Person Specification. How to lodge an Application: Applications should be marked confidential and must be submitted by the closing date to the person and the location stated in the advertisement in one of the following ways: 1. By Post or in person: To the nominated Applications to person listed in the advertisement. Please provide an original application and 3 copies, or as indicated on the SA Health web site http://www.health.sa.gov.au/careers 2. Via email: To the nominated Applications to person listed in the advertisement. Please note applications exceeding 10 pages in length should not be emailed and should be forwarded in hard copy. Applications received by email will be acknowledged by email. The Children, Youth and Women s Health Service is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, has a Smoke Free Workplace Policy and supports and encourages diversity in the workplace. Further information about CYWHS is available on the web site http://www.cywhs.sa.gov.au Thank you once again for your interest in working for CYWHS we look forward to receiving your application. 5