Title Position: Clinical Psychologist
Organisation:
Central Northern Adelaide Health
Service
Classification Code: PO2
Discipline Code:
Type of Appointment:
o
Ongoing
o
Temporary
Directorate:
Section:
Position Number:
Position Created:
Mental Health Directorate
Eastern MAC
o
Other
Term
Job & Person Specification Approval
All excluding senior positions:
______________________________
CEO or delegate
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JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to the organisation's goals:
CNAHS Eastern Mental Health Service provides a wide range of mental health services and treatment
clinics, as well as more specialist individual, group, family therapy and community programs.
The Clinical Psychologist works within the multi-disciplinary teams to provide a range of clinical and
cognitive assessment and clinical treatment services to people who experience problems with their
mental health.
The Clinical Psychologist is also responsible for the provision of discipline specific consultancy
services.
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.)
Team Leader and Discipline Senior Clinical Psychologist
3.
Special Conditions
(Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc.)
 The hours of work will be 37.5 hours per fortnight, over 5 days, Monday – Friday. Days to be
negotiated with the Team leader. Some out or hours work may be required.
 On occasions will be required to travel between locations and work in community settings and
within the client’s own environment within the metropolitan region.
 Intrastate travel may be required.
 Initially appointed to a site within the East, but may be required to work at any site within the
Central Northern Adelaide Health Service.
 Must have current South Australian Driver’s Licence and be willing to drive.
4.
Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities
(Group
into major
areas
of
responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance)
Provide professional clinical psychology expertise to people with mental health problems by:
 Undertaking a psychological case load and providing specialised clinical psychology assessment
and treatment services
 Working collaboratively with families and carers and encouraging their active participation in care
and program planning
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Clinical Psychologist
Eastern Mobile Assessment Care Team
 Regularly reviewing and evaluating the goals, interventions and progress made with clients
amending plans, reducing contact, ceasing therapeutic relationships and referring on as
appropriate
 Working collaboratively with other disciplines in the multidisciplinary teams and referring to them for
consultancy as required
 Offering specialist community, group, or individual programs according to own knowledge base and
individual skill, as determined by psychology service/team requirements
 Providing professional consultancy and collaborating with other service providers and team
members to enhance mental health outcomes for consumers.
 Liaising with other service providers government and non-government agencies as appropriate
Ensure that all clients who are undergoing clinical psychological treatment receive quality care
of the highest ethical and clinical standard by:
 assuming responsibility for the administration and interpretation of psychological assessment
procedures
 participating in and where required establishing peer review and quality assurance procedures
 accepting appropriate professional and legal responsibility for the results of investigations
 keeping data on assessment and treatment in a fashion that ensures they are legally presentable
and defensible
 taking responsibility for the design and implementation of applied research programs which
contribute to the improvement of service delivery and the understanding of the processes involved
in mental illness
Contribute to the effective operation of the multidisciplinary teams by:
 being actively involved in formulating team goals and objectives and contribute towards the
attainment of them;
 participating in clinical reviews and handovers;
 participating in staff development sessions;
 working with team members to create a harmonious team environment.
 working with other team members in the management of difficult clients/situations;
 acting as a professional resource for other team members in relation to clinical psychology matters
 offering discipline specific programs
Contribute towards the development and evaluation of NMHS Units by:
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collecting required data to evaluate services
participating in relevant committees and working parties
participating in developing evidence based standards
assisting in the formulation of standards of service delivery
participating in the development, implementation and review of policies
being involved in team Quality assurance activities and/or relevant research
Participate in community development and educational activities by:
 responding to requests to provide mental health consultation/information;
 initiating educational activities within the local community which raise awareness of the needs,
treatment and other issues associated with mental illness;
 liaising and collaborating with other agencies, health care professionals and service providers to
determine how to best meet the needs of people with mental health problems and their families,
ensuring best outcomes for clients.
Contribute to the development of high standards of Clinical Psychological practice within the
North/North East region by:
 promoting Clinical Psychology philosophies, principles, ethics and values in all aspects of
professional practice
 maintaining accountability in professional Clinical Psychology practice
 participating in the professional Clinical Psychology supervision and management structures of the
service
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Clinical Psychologist
Eastern Mobile Assessment Care Team
 participating in discipline specific review and quality assurance procedures for clinical
psychologists within the region
 being involved in the teaching and supervision of registered psychologists and students as required
 contributing to policy and research.
Ensure services are delivered in a culturally and linguistically sensitive manner by:
 Promoting access and equity of services for people of diverse linguistic and cultural background
 Providing services that are culturally and linguistically sensitive to the mental health needs of
people
 Engaging the participation of a professional interpreter to facilitate communication with people of
diverse linguistic and cultural background.
Contribute to the maintenance of an equitable working environment by:
 maintaining a knowledge of and adhering to the principles and standards of Equal Employment
Opportunity Legislation which ensures all employees in the workplace are treated in a fair and
equitable manner, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Contribute toward the provision of a safe and healthy work environment for self and others by:
 reporting all accidents, incidents and near misses
 complying with reasonable instructions or procedures aimed at protecting the health and safety of
themselves and others; and
 carrying out responsibilities as detailed in occupational health, safety and injury management
policies and procedures.
Acknowledged by Occupant .........................................
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...../...../.....
Clinical Psychologist
Eastern Mobile Assessment Care Team
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
(Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary.)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (include only those listed in the Health Services HR Manual, as an essential
qualification for the specified classification group)
 A Masters Degree in Clinical or Applied Psychology and registered under the provisions of the
Psychological Practices Act 1973
 Member or eligible for membership of the College of Clinical Psychologists of the Australian
Psychological Society
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
(Related to the job description, and expressed in a way which allows objective
assessment.)
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Ability to design and implement psychological interventions.
A strong commitment to research and evaluation.
Ability to express complex ideas succinctly and logically.
Ability to work collaboratively with clients, carers, other agencies and community services.
Ability to work cohesively within a multi-disciplinary team.
Ability to effectively and efficiently manage time and other resources.
Ability in coordinating comprehensive service provision for clients with complex needs.
Skills in psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery practices and individualised program planning.
Ability to understand the value systems and cultural differences of people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work without direct supervision, critically evaluate own work and make decisions accordingly.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to make sound professional judgements and communicate them clearly to clients in a constructive
manner.
 Commitment to ongoing professional development
Experience
(Including community experience)
 Competent in applying cognitive behavioural and various other psychological treatment methodologies.
 Experience in collaborative development, implementation and monitoring of planned interventions for
clients with complex needs.
Knowledge
 Understanding of current theoretical concepts and research strategies within the science of psychology
and their application to mental health issues and problems.
 A general knowledge of the comprehensive individualised needs of clients within the community setting.
 A general knowledge of community services and agencies.
 A general knowledge of the mental health service both within and across the regions.
 A general knowledge of relevant Acts and legislation pertaining to own profession.
 General knowledge of OH & S and Welfare policies and procedures.
 General knowledge of the South Australian Mental Health Act and the Guardianship and Administration
Act.
DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements).
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills Experience
 Comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment skills, including risk assessment
 Negotiating skills in collaborative planning, implementation and evaluation of treatment programs
Experience
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Clinical Psychologist
Eastern Mobile Assessment Care Team
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A broad range of experience within community services.
Effective participation in a community-based multidisciplinary team.
Experience in working collaboratively with consumers, families and carers, and community resources.
Experience in the development, application and evaluation of program plans.
Experience in accessing, monitoring and evaluating community resources.
Extensive experience in working with people who have mental illness.
Extensive experience in working with groups as well as individuals
Knowledge
 Knowledge of community resources, formal and informal, relevant to those having enduring and severe
mental disorder and disability.
 Familiarity with current psychiatric diagnostic and classification system and assessment tools.
 Knowledge of evaluation methodologies and quality assurance mechanisms.
 Knowledge of the National Mental Health Policy.
 A working knowledge and understanding of OHS & W policies and procedures.
 A working knowledge and understanding of South Australian Mental Health Act and Guardianship and
Administration Act.
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
(Considered to be useful in carrying out the responsibilities of the position).
 Relevant undergraduate or post-graduate qualifications (other than base-grade qualification) specific to
clinical practice.
 Additional clinical skills achieved by completion of a recognised psychological training course.
Other Details
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