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
Woodleigh House
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:
As part of the Modbury Hospital, Woodleigh House is committed to the achievement of best practice in
the provision of acute inpatient psychiatric care to adults with a mental illness. The Clinical
Psychologist works with the multi-disciplinary team to provide cognitive assessment, psychological
assessment and psychological treatment programs to adults with complex and acute mental health
needs during inpatient admission.
This includes psychological and cognitive assessment,
psychological treatment, and referral to services providing community-based psychological treatment.
The Clinical Psychologist also provides consultancy and advice regarding issues of psychological
practice to the multi-disciplinary team at Woodleigh House and to staff within other health units at the
Modbury Hospital. Services provided by the Clinical Psychologist support a coordinated team
approach to the care of current inpatients and facilitate effective/efficient discharge. Services are
delivered in a manner consistent with principles of recovery and rehabilitation, the Vision and Values
of Mental Health Services Division, and within the framework provided by National policy and
standards for Mental Health Service delivery.
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.)
The Clinical Psychologist is accountable to:
 the Discipline Senior Clinical Psychologist (Northern Mental Health) for issues related to
professional practice;
 the Team Leader/Clinical Practice Consultant (Woodleigh House) for issues related to clinical
practice; and
 the Team Leader/Clinical Services Coordinator (Woodleigh House) for issues related to
administrative practice.
3.
Special Conditions
(Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc.)
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

May be required to work from any location within the MHS Division
May be required to travel between CNAHS sites, intrastate and interstate.
Must possess a current driver’s licence and be willing to drive a Government-plated vehicle.
Hours of duty are 37.5 hours per fortnight, days to be negotiated with Team Leader (Monday to
Friday).
 Some out of hours duties may be required.
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Cilnical Psychologist
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 May be required to relieve and/or undertake other duties or positions in consultation with the
Discipline Senior Clinical Psychologist.
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 services to consumers by:
 Undertaking comprehensive Clinical Psychological and Cognitive assessment of adults with
diverse, complex and acute mental health problems;
 Preparing formal written reports of Clinical Psychological assessments and interventions as
required;
 Designing, implementing and evaluating brief Clinical Psychological treatments for adults with
diverse, complex and acute mental health problems;
 Working collaboratively with consumers, families and carers to encourage their active participation
in care planning;
 Working collaboratively with other disciplines in the multidisciplinary teams, referring to them for
consultancy as required;
 Making timely and appropriate referrals to providers of psychological services in the community for
adults with diverse, complex and acute mental health problems;
 Liaising with other service providers, government and non-government agencies as appropriate.
 Designing, implementing and evaluating psycho-educational group programs as appropriate
Ensure that Clinical Psychology services meet highest ethical and clinical standards by:
 Conducting Clinical Psychological and Cognitive assessments that are consistent with best
practice standards;
 Designing, implementing and evaluating Clinical Psychological treatments that are consistent with
best practice standards;
 Keeping records of assessment and treatment services provided that timely, accurate, legally
defensible and consistent with relevant policies and procedures;
 Participating in ongoing supervision and professional development, as required;
 Participating in established peer review and quality assurance procedures;
 Accepting appropriate professional and legal responsibility for the results of investigations;
 Complying with the Code of Conduct for Public Sector Employees and all relevant legislation,
policies and procedures in relation to people affected by mental disorders.
Contribute to the effective operation of the multidisciplinary teams by:
 Being actively involved in formulating team goals and objectives, and contributing towards the
attainment of these goals and objectives;
 Participating in clinical reviews, ward rounds and handover sessions;
 Contributing to and participating in staff development sessions and induction/orientation of new
staff members; interns, and students to role of psychologist on ward
 Working with team members to create a harmonious team environment;
 Working with team members in the management of difficult clients/situations;
 Providing professional consultancy and advice on matters of Clinical Psychological practice to
other service providers and team members to enhance mental health outcomes for consumers.
Contribute towards the development and evaluation of the service by:
 Participating in relevant committees and working parties;
 Assisting in the formulation of standards of service delivery;
 Collecting required data to evaluate service effectiveness;
 Participating in the development, implementation and review of local team policies;
 Being involved in Quality Assurance activities and/or relevant research.
Provide support and supervision of registered psychologists and post graduate psychology
interns as required.
Statement of Occupational Health Welfare and Safety (OHW&S) responsibilities:
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Staff will ensure the activities and environment of the MHS Division are safe for staff,
consumers, their families and carers, and the community by:
 complying with the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, 1986;
 complying with occupational health, safety and welfare policies and procedures, including MHS
Division policies and procedures specifically relating to
o promotion of safety for consumers, their families and carers, and the community;
o staff training in understanding of appropriate safety responses to aggression and other difficult
behaviours;
o protection of consumers from abuse and exploitation.
 ensuring that occupational health, safety and welfare are taken into account in all planning and
operational considerations
 consulting with health and safety representatives on matters directly affecting health welfare and
safety
 participating in the Mental Health Directorate Risk Management Program;
 taking care to protect and promote health and safety in the workplace;
 taking reasonable care to avoid adversely affecting the health or safety of any other person through
any act or omission in the workplace;
 obeying any such reasonable instruction that his/her employer may give in relation to health or
safety at work e.g. use any equipment provided for health and safety purposes;
 consulting with health and safety representatives on matters directly affecting the health, safety
and welfare of employees; through hazard identification, evaluation and control
Acknowledged by Occupant .........................................
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Cilnical Psychologist
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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)
 Masters Degree in Applied or Clinical Psychology or recognised equivalent.
 Registered to practice psychology under the SA Psychologist Practices Act.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
(Related to the job description, and expressed in a way which allows objective
assessment.)
 Ability to conduct cognitive and Clinical Psychological assessments for adults who have severe, complex
and acute mental health needs.
 Skills in cognitive therapy, behavioural therapy and other treatment methodologies relevant to Clinical
Psychological practice.
 Ability to design, implement and evaluate psychological interventions (particularly brief interventions) for
adults with severe, complex and acute mental health needs.
 Ability to express complex ideas succinctly and logically, both verbally and in writing.
 Skills in the effective and efficient management of limited time and other resources.
 Ability to work cohesively within a multi-disciplinary team.
 Ability to work collaboratively with clients, carers, other agencies and community services.
 Skills in conducting research and evaluation relevant to Clinical Psychological practice.
Experience
(Including community experience)
 Competent in applying behavioural and other treatment methodologies.
 A broad range of experience within community mental health services.
 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.
 Familiarity with current psychiatric diagnostic and classification systems.
 Familiarity with a range of tools for Cognitive and Clinical Psychological assessment of adults.
 A general knowledge of community services and agencies in South Australia.
 A general knowledge of the mental health service in South Australia.
 A general knowledge of relevant Acts and legislation pertaining to Clinical Psychological practice in South
Australia.
 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 mental state and risk assessment skills.
 Ability to work with clients in states of acute crisis and distress.
Experience
 Experience working with adults who have mental illness.
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Cilnical Psychologist
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 Experience in development, implementation and evaluation of Clinical Psychological interventions for
adults with mental illness (including cognitive therapy, behaviour therapy and other treatment
methodologies relevant to Clinical Psychological practice).
 Experience in conducting cognitive assessment of adults with a mental illness.
 Experience within community services and/or a multidisciplinary team environment.
 Experience in working collaboratively with consumers, families and carers, and community resources.
Knowledge
 Knowledge of relevant policies and principles governing mental health care in South Australia including
National Mental Health Policy, the South Australian Mental Health Act and Guardianship and
Administration Act.
 Knowledge of recovery-based principles of care.
 Knowledge of community resources, formal and informal, relevant to those having enduring and severe
mental disorder and disability.
 Knowledge of evaluation methodologies and quality assurance mechanisms.
 A working knowledge and understanding of OHS&W policies and procedures, Equal Employment
Practices and Principles.
 Familiarity with aspects of psychopharmacology and drugs of abuse.
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
(Considered to be useful in carrying out the responsibilities of the position).
 Additional undergraduate or post-graduate qualifications (other than base-grade qualification) relevant to
Clinical Psychological practice.
 Additional Clinical Psychological skills achieved by completion of recognised training activities.
Other Details
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