Adelaide Health Service
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(NON-MANAGERIAL)
TITLE OF POSITION:
PSYCHOLOGIST / CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Adelaide Health Service
Classification:
Health Unit: FLINDERS MEDICAL CENTRE
Division: FLINDERS WOMEN & CHILDREN
Classification Reviewed:
Department / Section: CHILD PROTECTION SERVICE
Position No: FM0551
Position Created: Existing
Job and Person Specification Approval
_________________________________________
CEO or Delegate
_____/_____/_____
Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. PREAMBLE
The Child Protection Service (Flinders Medical Centre), is one of two specialist child and
adolescent abuse assessment and treatment units in South Australia, providing services to the
southern and south eastern areas of Adelaide, and the southern and eastern areas of South
Australia. While the primary clinical workload is assessment, ongoing therapeutic work is also
undertaken. The Child Protection Service provides assessments/interventions (psychological,
forensic, medical, developmental, cognitive) to infants, children and adolescents aged between
0-18 years of age, and their families, following allegations of sexual, physical or emotional abuse
or neglect.
2. SUMMARY OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION and its responsibilities/duties
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) is responsible to the Director
of the Child Protection Service for the planning, provision and evaluation of a child and
adolescent specialist assessment service in the area of infant, child and adolescent abuse and
neglect, providing comprehensive forensic and psychological assessments that guide statutory
bodies (health, welfare and education), police and legal professionals in protecting children and
adolescents.
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) provides a comprehensive
clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention service (forensic, psychological, developmental,
cognitive) of infants, children and adolescents and their families, where it has been alleged that
they have been physically, sexually and/or emotionally abused or neglected. This involves the
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use of individual and family assessment techniques, and formal psychological assessment
techniques (including standardised tests).
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) provides on-call consultative
service to Flinders Medical Centre, liaising with medical services and other agencies (eg Families
SA, Crisis Care, Police). In instances where there has been recent abuse of an infant, child or
adolescent, crisis intervention with the infant, child or adolescent and their family or an urgent
forensic assessment may be required.
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) is involved in the planning and
provision of child abuse prevention within the wider community, through acting on committees
and working parties, and providing education to community groups.
In conjunction with the Unit Director, the Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection
Service) participates in the development, provision and evaluation of philosophy, policy and
procedures for service delivery within a multidisciplinary team in the complex area of infant, child
and adolescent abuse.
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) assists in the development
and administration of research in the area of infant, child and adolescent abuse, and evaluation
of clinical services within CPS and associated agencies. The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist
(Child Protection Service) may act also as a consultant to the multidisciplinary team with regard
to research issues.
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) is required to lecture to a
variety of professional groups and tertiary students (eg. Families SA, Police, medicine,
psychology, social work), and to provide clinical training and supervision to professionals and
post-graduate students training in the area of infant, child and adolescent abuse. In addition, the
Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) is professionally responsible for
projects, including national presentations and publications.
3. 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)
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) works independently as a
specialist member of the multidisciplinary team, providing a direct clinical service which includes
therapeutic assessments of infants, children and adolescents and their families following
allegations of abuse. Clinical work also includes providing recommendations to health, welfare
and legal agencies regarding the long term management of the child or adolescent.
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) provides secondary
consultation to large numbers of agencies (eg Families SA, Police, FMC, legal, Courts, CAMHS,
CYH) about infant, child and adolescent abuse issues, based on clinical findings and current
literature. This includes attending meetings such as case conferences and pre-Court meetings,
and providing expert testimony to Courts either by appearing as a witness or providing a report.
The Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist (Child Protection Service) also provides other
professionals within the multidisciplinary team with clinical consultation and support and access
to an updated body of empirical literature on infants, child and adolescent abuse. There may be
the requirement to provide functional guidance in the form of advice, teaching or training to other
team members or agencies.
4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc)
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Job and Person Specifications are reviewed regularly as part of the ongoing Performance
Development process.
Required to be on-call, to provide a service to Flinders Medical Centre to coordinate urgent
medical assessments of child abuse, provide urgent forensic interviews of children and crisis
counselling of caregivers.
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Support values consistent with the aims of the Region, including honesty, respect and
integrity.
May be required to undertake a health assessment prior to commencement.
Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Offender History Check.
May be required to work within other locations of the Adelaide Health Service.
Special arrangements exist to compensate the accrual of extra time worked for full-time staff.
A current driver’s licence and a willingness to drive are essential.
Some country travel is required.
Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the
Department of Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and transfer of
all personal patient/client information within the Department and throughout its funded service
providers.
5. STATEMENT OF KEY OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES
(group in to major areas
of responsibility / activity and list in descending order of importance).
 Contribute to a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination and harassment
by working in accordance with legislative requirements, the Code of Conduct and
departmental human resource policies, including the OHS&W requirements.
Provide Therapeutic/Clinical Assessment and Ongoing Intervention Services by:
 Offering a clinical service which includes the therapeutic assessment and treatment of
allegations and the effects of abuse and neglect.
 Constructing high quality written reports for completed assessments.
Contribute on a Broad Level to the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect by:
 Influencing decision making about children’s welfare and protection through attendance at
case conferences and through liaison with other professionals.
 Providing evidence via written assessment reports and/or as an expert witness in legal
proceedings to inform decisions in the areas of child welfare; custody and access,
sentencing of offenders and criminal injuries compensation.
Contributing to the development of an effective child protection system by promoting interagency
cooperation, identifying gaps and problems in service delivery and contributing to their resolution.
Provide a Consultation and Liaison Service to Other Agencies by:
 Consulting with professionals and the public in order to provide advice and recommendations
about child abuse and neglect issues.
Contribute to the Administration of the Child Protection Service by:
 Contributing, as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to the development of policy and
procedures at regularly held staff meetings and in other specified venues.
Provide Training and Education to Other Professional Groups by:
 Training students, professionals and others who work with abused children and their families
by preparing and presenting lectures, seminars and workshops in order to increase their
knowledge and skills.
 Increasing community awareness of the issues associated with child abuse by developing,
implementing and recommending strategies that will assist in the protection of children and
their rehabilitation after abuse.
Provide Student Supervision by:
 Supervising tertiary students on work experience placement at the Child Protection Service by
providing training to enhance their practice, performance and professional development.
Professional Development/Maintain Skills by:
 Participating in approved professional development activities.
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Contribute to the Child Protection Services Research and Evaluation Programme by:
 Participating as a team member in evaluating the service and may conduct research on child
abuse issues by collating and analysing data recorded about the consumers of the service.
 Providing consultation and/or direction regarding research and evaluation to staff at the Child
Protection Service and to other professional groups, particularly in the areas of primary
prevention of abuse and neglect.
 Preparing journal articles for publication.
Acknowledged by Occupant:______________________________ Date:_____/_____/_____
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
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For appointment as a Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist: A Masters Degree in Clinical or
Applied Psychology and registered under the provisions of the Psychological Practices Act, 1973.
Registration as a Psychologist / Clinical Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner
Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This process involves compliance with statutory determined
criteria for training and experience. These include six years full-time training including a specified
component of supervised clinical practice.
Eligibility for membership in the Australian Psychological Society. This requires meeting national
standards of training, supervised practice and ethical conduct.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
1. Proven commitment to the principles and practise of:
 EEO, Ethical Conduct, diversity and OHS&W.
 Quality management and client oriented service.
 Risk management.
2. Ability to meet the professional standards for membership of the Australian Psychological
Society.
3. Ability to accept personal responsibility for professional decisions in a manner that takes
cognisance of all foreseeable circumstances and use psychological services appropriately.
4. Ability to conduct services with a high level of skill in all appropriate areas of professional
practice.
5. Ability to recognise situations where other professional services may be required.
6. Ability to maintain professional propriety and respect the need for client’s confidentiality.
7. Ability to ensure that the assessment and intervention tests and procedures chosen are
administered appropriately.
8. Ability to safeguard the rights of clients, ensuring that they are fully informed about the
assessments and treatments offered.
9. Ability to maintain a high standard of practice in teaching and consulting in a supervisory
relationship.
10. Ability to use high level research skills in conducting research in a manner that safeguards the
dignity of all participants in the process.
11. Ability to demonstrate advanced skills in working therapeutically with infants, children,
adolescents and their families and in the theory of clinical psychology.
Experience
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Proven post-graduate experience in relevant areas of work.
Professional experience/interest in the area of child abuse and neglect.
Experience in working with infants, children, adolescents and their families.
Knowledge of and experience with valid research techniques.
Report writing expertise.
Proven effective participation in research projects.
Demonstrated ability to work in a difficult and emotionally demanding area of professional
practice.
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Knowledge
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Understanding of Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare principles and procedures
Understanding of Quality Management principles and procedures
Understanding of the South Australian Child Protection System.
Understanding of the Children’s Protection Act (1993) and its operations.
Child Abuse and Neglect.
Current Psychological Practice.
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2. DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (to distinguish between applicants who meet all essential requirements)
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
Experience
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Proven experience in basic computing skills, including email and word processing
Active involvement in professional psychological organisations.
Experience in crisis intervention.
Experience working in an emotionally demanding and highly scrutinised environment.
Knowledge
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Understanding of agency policies and procedures.
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (considered useful in carrying out the responsibilities of the position)
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Membership of professional associations or associations relevant to the objectives of the Child
Protection Service (eg Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and
Law).
Eligible for membership of one or more of the Boards of the Division of Professional Affairs to the
Australian Psychological Society (eg College of Psychologist / Clinical Psychologists)
Other details
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INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for considering applying for a position with the Adelaide Health Service (Southern Health).
Recruitment and Selection processes at Southern Health reflect best practice and a commitment to a
selection based on merit. This means treating all applications in a fair and equitable manner that
aims to choose the best person for the position.
The following information is provided to assist you when applying for a position with Southern Health.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST IMPRESSION
A well presented, easy to read application will allow the panel to assess the information they need
from your application. To give yourself the best opportunity to reach interview, the application should
clearly and concisely demonstrate to the selection panel that you are suitably equipped to perform
the role, and that you possess all of the stated minimum essential skills, abilities, knowledge,
experience and educational qualifications (where required).
We suggest the following format:
 A covering letter of up to 2 pages introducing yourself to the selection panel and describing your skills,
abilities, knowledge, qualifications and experience in relation to the position. The covering letter should
clearly state the job vacancy number, position title, your name and your contact details;
 Curriculum vitae that includes your personal details, relevant employment history, education, training
courses, qualifications and professional memberships. Your CV should also include your nominated
referees, their position and their contact details.
THE JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Selection for interview will be based on an assessment of your application against the requirements
of the position as outlined in the Job Specification, and against the criterion detailed in the
accompanying Person Specification. It is recommended that you carefully read the Job and Person
Specification to understand what the position entails before proceeding to apply for the position, and
ensure that your written application reflects your suitability for the position.
Note for Nursing/Midwifery applicants: Applicants applying for positions at the Clinical Nurse (level 2)
classification are required to demonstrate by way of example/evidence that each of the criteria contained in the
statement of key outcomes and activities of the Job Specification are met in their application.
Please ensure that your written application includes sufficient information for the panel to make an
informed determination.
REFEREES
It is recommended that you advise your referees of the position you are applying for as the panel
may seek their opinion of your capability to perform the requirements of the position. At least one
referee should be your immediate supervisor/manager in your current position, able to provide
current feedback about you to the selection panel.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT DECLARATION (PED)
Please ensure that you complete and submit this from with your application.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
It is generally preferable that applications are not bound or in folders, and that the requested number
of applications be provided when posting. Please ensure that applications are addressed as
indicated in the job advertisement, and that you allow sufficient time for your application to reach us
by the closing date/time specified. Late applications may not be considered.
We take this opportunity to wish you success with your application!
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