POSITION DESCRIPTION
PSYCHOLOGIST
Responsible to:
National Manager, Specialist Services
Functional relationships:
To all Stakeholders of Explore Specialist Services:
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Primary Objective:
People with disabilities
Family/ whanau /advocates of people with disabilities
Colleagues within the team
Residential and vocational providers
External professionals involved in client support
To take a clinical leadership role in a transdisciplinary service that
works with providers to successfully support people with
disabilities in the community lead an ordinary life. To work
collaboratively together with a variety of disciplines and expertise
to achieve these outcomes for referred clients.
Principle Accountabilities
1. Core Roles and Skills
Key Performance Indicator:
Best practice specialised psychological advice/support is
communicated to stakeholders to ensure Explore’s clients receive a
service that contributes to their quality of life within the community
Expected results
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Practices within the framework of the NZ Psychological Societies Code
of Ethics.
Demonstrates flexibility, innovation and best practice in assessments,
developing hypotheses, and planning interventions
Demonstrates advanced assessment skills, including psychometric
assessment of intellectual and cognitive ability.
Formulation of Explore’s, Safety, Individual and Intervention Plans on
the basis of expert assessment and integrated and sound clinical
formulation.
Demonstrates thorough planning, communication and implementation
skills to ensure written plans are understood and applied effectively.
Takes a lead role alongside behaviour support specialists in complex
referrals; remaining involved in a support role once the initial
assessment and planning work is complete
Demonstrates ability to coach/model /teach desired professional
behaviour.
Practices with innovation to achieve positive outcomes
Identifies and implements best use of resources
Demonstrates understanding of diverse cultural, social and lifestyle
needs of client
2.
Clinical support of Behaviour Support Specialists (BSS)
Key performance indicator
Effective support of Behaviour Support Specialists enhances the
efficacy and professional development of their practice.
o
Guides the professional development of the Behaviour Support
Specialists (BSS) based on the Behaviour Support Competencies
Framework.
Offers Clinical Supervision to BSS as required by management. This is a
dedicated time set aside to be a resource available to BSSs for
casework, ethical considerations and professional issues.
Is an available resource to BSSs to address issues of concern with their
clients at other times
Participates in debriefing following challenging situations.
o
o
o
3.
Best Practice / Knowledge
Key Performance Indicator
The service delivered is enhanced by the ability to offer best practice
advice to different disciplines in Explore and clients’ support team
Expected results
o
o
o
o
o
4.
Demonstrates best practice in day to day service delivery
Analyses critically research/literature to determine best practice
Recommends best practice based on theory/research and ethics
Has deep contextual knowledge and uses/integrates this knowledge in
developing and communicating assessment and intervention plans
Promotes exploration, discussion and resolution of professional and
ethical issues arising in service delivery
Communication/Relationships
Key Performance Indicator
Effective communication contributes to development of productive/
effective relationships with stakeholders such that desired outcomes
for clients are achieved
Expected Results
o
o
o
o
o
Confidential
Demonstrates ability to engage and establish rapport with all
stakeholders
Demonstrates effective negotiation and conflict management skills
Participates in creating an environment to support effective exchange of
ideas and issues
Articulates clearly client requirements using context specific knowledge
and experience
Maintains and develops documentation to a required standard
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5. Education and Workforce Development
Key Performance Indicator
Offers to Explore team and providers, education, mentoring,
coaching and workforce development:
 specific to a clients needs plus
 general education programmes as requested by management
Expected results
o
o
o
o
Anticipates training needs of provider team in response to referred
clients support/behavioural plan development.
Offers and negotiates with providers re their learning and work
development needs around implementing psychological support plans.
Effectively delivers to providers training programmes to support
successful implementation of Explore’s plans.
Provides both formal and informal educational support and mentoring to
Explore staff.
6. Team Role Relationships
Key Performance Indicator
Interaction within the specialist team promotes best possible
outcomes for the client and provider
Expected results
i. Engages and communicates collaboratively and effectively with team
colleagues to achieve desired outcomes for client service
ii. Leads debates and facilitates ethical discussions on contemporary issues
relevant to Explore specialist services
7. Consultancy to Management for Service and Quality Development
Key Performance Indicator
A positive and collaborative consultancy contribution to
management
Expected results
i. Contributes to the development of service standards, policy and protocols
ii. Consults with and supports management to maximize Explores team
performance
iii. Facilitates initiatives to address quality service development.
iv. Is aware of and communicates to management, service and individual
risk management issues
v. Demonstrates consistent commitment to excellence
Confidential
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February 2, 2010
Limitations of authority:
This job description broadly outlines the key areas for this position. It does not attempt to be
comprehensive in setting out tasks. From time to time staff may be requested to take on
additional tasks to meet the ongoing needs of the practice.
The key tasks and expected results may be used during performance appraisals.
Confidential
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February 2, 2010
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POSITION: PSYCHOLOGIST
KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
1. Masters Degree (Psychology)
2. NZ Registered Psychologist who has completed a post graduate Diploma in Clinical
Psychology (or equivalent) and is able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of
psychological theory and practice.
3. Membership of either or both the: NZ Psychological Society, Clinical Division or the NZ
College Of Clinical Psychology
4. Recognized as an expert in the area of intellectual disability and is sought out by
colleagues to assist them with practice. Willingly shares knowledge and expertise with
others; contributes effectively to internal and external discussions in this area.
5. Applies knowledge within practice guidelines: maintains current knowledge and keeps
abreast of developments in this field; seeks to involve people in allied specialist areas
in resolving clinical issues; recognizes when there is a need to seek assistance.
6. Ability to work flexibly and with excellent communication with team members across
traditional boundaries in their profession in a ‘Transdisciplinary’ way.
7. Has the ability to develop and deliver training programmes.
8. Ability to promote the independence, autonomy and dignity of individuals with
disabilities.
9. Ability to work in the community in partnership with all stakeholders
10. Skills to assess plan and implement proactive interventions and deal with crisis for
allocated clients.
11. Excellent communication skills, written, oral.
12. Enthusiasm, motivation, awareness of own skills and limitations. Strategies for
dealing with stress and knowing when to seek advice.
13. Commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
14. Current drivers licence.
15. Current First Aid Certificate
Confidential
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