South Australia Police Department POSITION INFORMATION DOCUMENT

Transcription

1 South Australia Police Department POSITION INFORMATION DOCUMENT Stream : Professional Services Career Group : Discipline : Classification : PO-2 Position Title : Police Psychologist Branch : Health, Safety and Welfare Branch LEVEL CHARACTERISTICS The position is classified at the Professional Services level 2 by virtue of the requirement to: undertake complex projects utilising professional judgement within broad guide-lines select and adapt methods best suited to a project and accept professional responsibility for completeness and adequacy contribute to advances in methods and techniques used exercise professional responsibility in provision of a consultancy service, as required to management and employees. POSITION SUMMARY The Police Psychologist is accountable to the Manager, Employee Assistance Section for the provision of professional psychological expertise in the areas of counselling, assessment, training and the operational support of police and contributes to the provision of a psychological consultancy service to the Police Department throughout the State. POSITION CHARACTERISTICS The South Australia Police provides a diverse range of services to the community. These services are aimed at producing a safe and peaceful environment by the minimisation of crime and disorder. It is a large complex organisation which, because of the nature of its operations, is constantly subject to public scrutiny and accountability. It provides services to a range of different locations (over 100) spread across the State on a 24 hour a day basis. The Occupational, Health, Safety and Welfare Branch is one of five branches forming the Human Resources Service within South Australia. The Occupational, Health, Safety and Welfare Branch within the Human Resources Service, provides the Department with programs, policy guidelines and advice on a comprehensive range of services which relate to management of human resources in the fields of medical, psychology, welfare, chaplaincy, rehabilitation, claims management and occupational health and safety functions. Many of these functional services are structured to provide an emergency response/crisis management role on a 24 hour a day basis. In that capacity the specialist sections relate closely to the police managers accountable for that function or area across the whole of South Australia. The Employee Assistance Section is organisationally located within the Occupational, Health, Safety and Welfare Branch and consists of Welfare Officers, Police Psychologists and the Senior Police Chaplain. G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc Page 1 of 7

2 The Police Psychologist contributes to the provision of a psychological consultancy service to SAPOL throughout the State by taking, as required, responsibility for the development, implementation and evaluation of the policies and procedures of the Employee Assistance Section. The incumbent provides a professional, confidential counselling service for police employees with respect to a wide range of work related situations. This counselling may be initiated by personal referrals from individual employees or be offered on a confidential basis following situations identified by colleagues or supervisors. In addition, the incumbent provides a limited counselling service and/or makes professional referrals for police employees regarding personal matters. The incumbent is required to ensure the support and treatment of police personnel involved in life threatening and macabre situations or other matters considered psychologically traumatic. This involves the requirement to work out of hours and on call to make appropriate crisis interventions which may involve psychological defusings and debriefs on an individual or group basis. Follow up assistance is provided by conducting required counselling, professional referrals, liaising with individuals and management as appropriate, and monitoring the welfare of individuals as considered necessary. The incumbent also has a responsibility to contribute to the operational effectiveness and welfare of police personnel attached to police units which have a high risk of traumatic impact, owing to the nature of their duties. Regular reviews of the emotional well being of those personnel are carried out by the administration and interpretation of psychological questionnaires and the conduct of personal interviews. Appropriate professional assistance is provided to individuals concerned when situations requiring attention are identified. The incumbent acts as a consultant to management, and the Police Rehabilitation Section, and liaises with external mental health professionals and agencies on matters of employee rehabilitation where psychological issues are involved. Input on matters of rehabilitation may include the initial assessment of a police employee and the monitoring of significant cases in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Section. The incumbent is also required to conduct a final assessment of significant cases and to clear the individuals concerned for a full or partial return to their original or alternative work place. Associated psychological assessment reports are prepared for management. The incumbent is required to provide a consultancy service to management by conducting psychological assessments and preparing recommendation reports with respect to the management of police employees experiencing work difficulties. This may involve management referrals of individuals who are not coping with operational duties or have been subject to disciplinary proceedings. Whenever appropriate, vocational and personal advice is offered to the individuals concerned. The incumbent provides professional expertise in the areas of police selection and promotional procedures. This is achieved by conducting appropriate research and applying those results to the development, implementation and maintenance of scientific assessment programmes at recruit, specialist, and commissioned officer (management) levels. These programmes involve the incumbent administering and interpreting a wide range of standard quantitative psychological psychometric tests, and by assisting in the development and conduct of a range of customised psychological assessment procedures such as assessment workshops and assessment interviews. The incumbent contributes to improved operational and administrative efficiency, effectiveness, and health safety and welfare of police employees by the design and application of recruit, specialist and promotional training and educational programmes. The programmes developed are concerned with aspects of police work where significant psychological implications are involved. Extensive recruit training input is provided on crisis intervention procedures by the incumbent. Other programmes include stress awareness and management courses conducted at recruit, in-service and management levels, and a wide range of specifically tailored psychological components. Liaison is maintained with operational personnel and external agencies involved in the area of human behaviour which is the subject of the above training/educational programmes. The incumbent is required to provide an on-site consultancy service to management and personnel on field operational matters. This involves the incumbent attending the scenes of policing incidents to assist police commanders and operational personnel with the direction, control and safe and effective resolution of an incident. Incidents may include sieges, suicide attempts, or any situation involving emotional disturbed persons. The incumbent also assists operational police with support of witnesses G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc 02/06/2008

3 to, and victims of serious crimes where psychological issues form a part of, or are hampering the investigation. ORGANISATION Supervisor Reports to: Supervisor's Position: Subject Position: Manager, Health, Safety and Welfare Branch Manager, Employee Assistance Section Police Psychologist STATISTICS RELEVANT TO THE POSITION G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc Page 3 of 7

4 South Australia Police JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION Title of Position : Police Psychologist Classification Code : PO-2 Position Number : Position Created : Type of Appointment : Permanent Service : Human Resources Service Branch : Health, Safety and Welfare Branch Job & Person Specification Approval (for all positions excluding senior positions)... / / Commissioner of Police or Delegate P.C.O. Reference Number JOB SPECIFICATION 1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position, and its responsibilities / duties. The Police Psychologist is accountable to the Manager, Employee Assistance Section for the provision of professional psychological expertise in the areas of counselling, assessment, training and the operational support of police and contributes to the provision of a psychological consultancy service to the Police Department throughout the State. 2. Reporting / working relationships (to whom the person reports, staff for whom the person is responsible and other significant connections and working relationships within the organisation) Reports to the Manager, Employee Assistance Section and works in cooperation with other staff within the Section. Liaises with Human Resources Management Branch, Medical Section, Rehabilitation Section, the Police Academy and all operational areas throughout the State as the need arises. 3. Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime) Rostered for on call/out of hours emergency situations involving both police personnel and operational incidents. On occasions, may be required to work out of hours to conduct police training courses and selection programmes. Some country travel may be required due to State wide responsibility. The incumbent is required to be a registered psychologist to conform with the Psychological Practices Act. Must hold a car driver s licence. G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc 02/06/2008

5 4. Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated activities (Group into major areas of responsibility and list in descending order of importance) 4.1 The Police Psychologist is required to provide support to operational police, in conjunction with other members of the Employee Assistance Section in relation to emergency and critical incidents. The incumbent is accountable for; Contributing to the occupational health and welfare of police employees by providing a confidential psychological counselling service. Ensuring specialised support and treatment for police personnel involved in life threatening and macabre incidents or any other matters considered psychologically traumatic by conducting post trauma debriefs and follow up assessments. Contributing to the operational effectiveness and welfare of police personnel attached to high risk units by conducting regular psychological reviews of their emotional well being. Ensuring the operational effectiveness and personal welfare of employees on rehabilitation programmes with psychological implications by providing return to work clearances and monitoring their psychological adjustment to work. Contributing to police operational efficiency and effectiveness by making recommendations regarding the management of employees experiencing work difficulties. Ensuring the effective assessment of applicants for police recruit, specialist and promotional positions by carrying out research, identifying appropriate assessment techniques and conducting relevant psychological assessments. Contributing to improving police operational effectiveness and welfare by designing and conducting police training programmes in crisis intervention and stress management. Contributing to the efficient and effective conduct of police operational situations by providing relevant psychological expertise 4.2 Contributing to the effective management of staff within the unit by ensuring that: team members are afforded equal employment opportunity in accordance with the principles of equity and diversity; team members are managed in accordance with SAPOL s Occupational Health and Safety policies and relevant legal requirements; and a harmonious workplace free of unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying is maintained. Certified correct by OIC/Branch Head :... / / Acknowledged by Current Occupant :... / / Name of Current Occupant :... G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc Page 5 of 7

6 PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Minimum Requirements (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary.) Educational / Vocational Qualifications (Include only those listed in Commissioner's Standard 2 as an essential qualification for a specified group.) Bachelors degree in the behavioural sciences. Registered to practise psychology under the S.A. Psychological Practices Act. Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills (Related to the job description, and expressed in a way which allows objective assessment.) Ability to work with limited supervision and direction. Ability to empathise with and counsel clients. Proven ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality. Ability to relate to individuals in crisis situations. Ability to communicate and work with other professionals. Ability to communicate clearly using verbal and written communication skills. Ability to plan, implement and evaluate work projects. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and achieve agreed objectives. Ability to instruct, train and motivate people in learning situations. Ability to make rapid, clear decisions in crisis situations. Ability to relate to the police environment and to be accepted by staff at all levels. Demonstrated ability to contribute to the maintenance of an harmonious, safe and healthy workplace, free of harassment, unlawful discrimination and bullying and where diversity is valued. Experience (Including Community Experience) Practising experience as a registered psychologist. Experience in counselling distressed persons. Experience in conducting psychological assessments. Experience in teaching or training. Experience in public speaking. G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc 02/06/2008

7 Knowledge Knowledge of therapeutic techniques. Knowledge of psychological assessment procedures. Knowledge of the principles of Equity and Diversity requirements Demonstrated proficient knowledge and commitment to OHS&W legislation, principles and practices; and risk assessment in accordance with the OHS&W Act (1986), Regulations & AS/NZS 4360 Standard Desirable Characteristics (To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements) Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills Ability to design, implement and evaluate research projects Experience Experience working with limited supervision and direction. Experience debriefing clients involved in traumatic incidents. Experiencing in managing rehabilitation cases. Experience liaising with medical practitioners and rehabilitation officers. Experience in conducting psychological assessments for selection purposes. Experience in working in a police environment. Knowledge Knowledge of training techniques. An understanding of the structure, functions and operational procedures of the S.A. Police Department. Educational/Vocational Qualifications A post-graduate qualification in counselling A master's degree in applied psychology G:\MSB\JOBSPECS\Human Resources\HS&W\Police Psychologist PO2.doc Page 7 of 7