POSITION DESCRIPTION. Neuro Clinical Psychologist

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Neuro Clinical Psychologist Position Details: Location: Auckland Date: Feb 2012 Reports to: Rehabilitation Team Manager Values of ABI Rehabilitation ABI Rehabilitation NZ Ltd has the following values which underpin the way every employee works every day: Accountability Safety Partnership Integrity Respect Exceeding Expectations Maori Awareness It is essential that all ABI Rehabilitation employees have an understanding of Maori issues. This includes an awareness of traditional and contemporary Maori, whanau/hapu structures, key Maori concepts and an awareness of Maori legislation. Primary Objectives To provide a specialist neuropsychological service to clients presenting with Acquired Brain Injury in line with the philosophy, policies and procedures of ABI Rehabilitation New Zealand Ltd. To assist clients to achieve their maximum level of functioning and independence in all aspects of daily life. To provide a neuropsychology perspective within the Interdisciplinary Team Model. To contribute to the effective and efficient management of therapeutic services and resources in line with Rehabilitation service policy and procedures. To participate in staff training programmes where able. To work towards neuropsychology research activity. To enact principles of continuous quality improvement. C:\Users\Jessica\Desktop\RPC Psych Role\Neuro Clinical Psychologist Auckland.doc Page 1 of 5

2 Qualifications/Experience Psychologist currently registered with the Psychologists Board of New Zealand. Current Annual Practising Certificate. Current NZ Driver Licence. Completed Postgraduate Degree in Clinical Psychology or equivalent. Completed a Masters Paper in Neuropsychology. Preferably a minimum of two years experience working with clients who have neurological impairments, or advanced practice and experience in a Rehabilitation setting. Post-graduate courses related to Rehabilitation desirable but not essential. Eligibility or willing to work towards eligibility for ACC provider number for Neuropsychology contracts. Practice Guidelines To adhere to the philosophy of ABI Rehabilitation New Zealand Ltd and to strive towards fulfilling its mission, primary goals and objectives. To comply with and adhere to the Code of Ethics of the New Zealand Psychological Society. To work within the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Corporation (ACC) and National Health Committee, Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Guidelines (August 1998). To independently manage and maintain continuing competence program in accordance with Psychologists Board of New Zealand. Specific Skills The ability to: Undertake Neuropsychological Assessments and write comprehensive assessment reports according to the requirements of ACC contracts. Plan effective therapy and evaluate outcomes within a Traumatic/Acquired Brain Injury/Neurological Rehabilitation setting. Strive towards use of evidence-based practices within rehabilitation decision-making process to ensure the most effective and safest options are utilised in defining psychology interventions. Act as an advisor and resource person for matters related to the psychology perspective. Work within an interdisciplinary team model of Rehabilitation. Be self-directed, flexible and have good organisational skills. Communicate collaboratively and effectively. Assume an educative role within the interdisciplinary team, including family and whanau. C:\Users\Jessica\Desktop\RPC Psych Role\Neuro Clinical Psychologist Auckland.doc Page 2 of 5

3 A commitment to: Bi-culturalism (Te Tiriti O Waitangi) and Equal Employment Opportunities. Contributing to the interdisciplinary nature of the rehabilitation team. Respecting client rights. Sensitivity to cultural needs and requirements of various cultures. Seeking and taking opportunities for ongoing professional training and development. Relationships It is expected that at all times communication with internal and external stakeholders will reflect the philosophy of the service. External Internal Committees/Groups Clients/family/whanau ACC Case Managers Clinical Psychologists and Neuropsychologists Clinical and Neuropsychological Training Institutions and students Other Service Providers Clients Other members of the interdisciplinary team All other Rehabilitation staff including support Management Team Quality Accreditation Health & Safety Clinical Records Research Any other groups KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 1.0 Manage caseload, including clients, families/whanau to a high clinical standard within the interdisciplinary framework and practices. Identify by assessment areas of psychological performance requiring comprehensive psychological intervention. Formulate specific client-centred goals for cognitive/behavioural, social/emotional functioning based on assessment findings. Plan psychology intervention in accordance with evidence-based psychological practice and code of ethics, within interdisciplinary framework. Undertake treatment of client individually / groups. Prioritise case load based on clinical needs. Document client related assessment procedures and findings in clients file. Record client progress on progress forms in clients files. Use current in-house systems of documentation. Update protocols according to progress. To plan and facilitate discharge in liaison with relevant professional and community services facilities. C:\Users\Jessica\Desktop\RPC Psych Role\Neuro Clinical Psychologist Auckland.doc Page 3 of 5

4 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 2.0 Use validated Neuropsychological Assessment tools and methods to assess cognitive/behavioural functioning of clients. Familiar with standard Neuropsychological Assessment tools e.g. WAIS, WMS IV, Trail Making Test, RCFT, RAVLT, Card Sorting, Verbal Fluency, DKEFS, Stroop, CVLT. Identify and administer those standardised test/s that would be appropriate for the client. Assess challenging behaviours according to best practise guidelines and intervene as appropriate. 3.0 To play an active role in staff and client/family education. Participate with client/family/whanau initial and ongoing education. Participate in staff orientation where appropriate Assist with and attend ongoing staff education where appropriate. Be responsible for your own professional development e.g. identifying relevant professional development courses, etc. Take part in clinical supervision as per requirements for professional body membership. Keep up to date on current developments in neuropsychology and the Brain Injury Rehabilitation field. Supervise students when required. Provide clinical supervision for other psychologists where appropriate. 4.0 Maintain excellent communication with all parties concerned. 5.0 To demonstrate a commitment to continuous quality improvement. Maintain confidential information relating to clients/family/staff. Establish and maintain rapport with staff, clients, families and funders. Attend all relevant clinical, team and family meetings. Working according to the ACC and MOH contracts. Operate ABI Rehabilitation New Zealand Ltd administration, professional, interdisciplinary and rehabilitation process, systems and activities. Identify key relationships and manage communication and interactions. Work collaboratively with client and staff to modify behaviours (staff and/or client) that need to be changed. Have a working knowledge of legal aspects around practising as a psychologist in New Zealand. Identifying opportunities for quality improvement projects. To actively participate, develop and implement identified quality initiatives that have been approved by the Quality Projects Team, either independently and/or with the professional team. C:\Users\Jessica\Desktop\RPC Psych Role\Neuro Clinical Psychologist Auckland.doc Page 4 of 5

5 I, confirm by signing this document, acceptance of the above job description and its conditions. Signed:.. Date:.. C:\Users\Jessica\Desktop\RPC Psych Role\Neuro Clinical Psychologist Auckland.doc Page 5 of 5