POSITION DESCRIPTION
1.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title
Manager, Psychological Services
Position No
Classification Level
MAS3
Discipline
Division
Families SA
Date Created
August 2005
Branch/Unit
Psychological Services
Date Approved
July 2009
Reports To
Director, Statewide Services
Reviewed Date
July 2011
2.
POSITION CONTEXT
Position Summary
Reporting/Working
Relationships
Special Conditions
3.
The Manager, Psychological Services position is an operational role within Families SA and is
accountable to the Director Statewide Services for:

Developing and monitoring psychological services, practices, policies and systems that are integral to
the delivery of quality psychological assessment and therapeutic services in Families SA.

Providing that Psychological Services contributes significantly to the achievement of the overall goals
and objectives of Families SA through the provision of psychological advice and services across the
division.

Developing and maintaining positive relationships and strategic professional links with other agencies,
Universities, the private practice sector, relevant boards and committees.

Developing and maintaining a highly skilled clinical workforce. through effective management of
human resources, including a focus on innovative recruitment and retention strategies, the provision
of appropriate training, supervision and support structures and adherence to legislative and ethical
frameworks.

Director Statewide Services.

Directors and Senior Managers across DFC, in particular those in Families SA and DFC Procurement
and Contract Management.

All staff of Psychological Services, and particularly the Psychological Services Leadership Group.

Universities, NGO’S and other government departments.

Psychologists in private practice.

Relevant clinical and professional boards, committees and other groups.

Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a background screening and criminal
history check.

A current driver’s licence is essential.

Some inter/intra state travel and out of hours work may be required.

May be assigned to another position at this remuneration level or its equivalent.
QUALIFICATIONS
Desirable
A tertiary qualification in a human service related field is highly desirable.
4.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
RELATED TASKS
Leadership &
Management

Develop and maintain a psychological service within Families SA which incorporates assessment,
therapeutic interventions, consultation, research and teaching that meets the highest standards while
providing flexibility of service delivery to meet the changing needs of the client group.

Collect, collate and disseminate to Families SA staff, relevant data on the delivery of services
including reporting on measurable outcomes and providing advice and assistance on the needs of
the client group.

Monitor practice, propose, develop and implement relevant policies and procedures in consultation
with relevant stakeholders.

Promote the undertaking of research, the implementation of quality assurance mechanisms and the
evaluation of psychological services to clients of Families SA.

Lead a work environment where staff are challenged and stretched to develop their competence and
encouraged and provided with opportunities for professional development.

Provide authoritative advice and assistance to Families SA senior Executive, Management staff and
other relevant stakeholders in regard to psychological services and the needs of the client group.

Influence change in broader social policy and practice and contribute to the leadership of the
organisation as a whole.

Influence practice by the provision of relevant mental health training to Families SA staff and staff of
NGO’s and other organisations and groups.

Maintain a provision of effective, responsive, planned and creative service delivery that enhances
outcomes for clients of the agency and focuses in particular on improved outcomes for Aboriginal
people.

Participate at local, regional, divisional and departmental levels to maintain all levels are well
informed about the psychological needs of the client group.

Develop working relationships across the division, with government, non government agencies,
tertiary educational facilities and the private sector to effectively represent the interests of Families SA
clients.

Undertake the effective provision of services to the client group by developing, maintaining and
monitoring a private provider panel of private psychology practitioners for the provision of assessment
and therapy services, in cooperation with DFC procurement and Contract Management unit.

Maximise the effective and equitable use of resources within capital and recurrent budget
allocations.

Monitor, manage and report on budgets and assets including planning for future requirements.

Maintain the appropriate financial and HR standards, systems and records for Psychological
Services and comply with relevant records management legislation, policies and practices.

Facilitate and model a culture of excellent client service delivery and continuous quality
improvement.

Enable staff to have the equipment, information and access to training necessary for the optimum
performance of their duties.

Facilitate performance appraisals, supervision and support systems that enable the identification
and implementation of training and development needs to support staff in service delivery.

Facilitate a safe and supportive work environment by maintaining sound work practices and
procedures and compliance with Occupational Health Safety and Welfare legislation, Equal
Opportunity legislations and the Public Sector Management Act.

Raise the profile of Families SA Psychological Services within the division and The Department,
across government and the private sector in order to improve recruitment and retention of
psychologists.

Understand and follow workplace safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe
working environment, as well as following procedures to manage and minimise risks within the
DFC.

Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following departmental greening
initiatives.

Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Conduct for Public
Sector Employees and DFC stated values.
Service Delivery
Resource Management
Human Resource
Management
Organisational
Contribution
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5.
DFC CAPABILITIES (E)
Relating &
Communicating
Client Focus
Achieving
Objectives
Personal Drive &
Professionalism
Continuous
Improvement
Respect Cultural
Diversity
6.

Identify and develop key strategic relationships and networks to achieve goals, increase departmental
knowledge and create communication channels.

Develop and facilitate forums to engage stakeholders and other government departments to establish
strategic networks.

Build multidisciplinary teams that utilise expertise and experience and maximise performance and
output.

Analyse client service trends, strategies and standards and evaluate their impact on the current client
service model.

Develop and implement procedures and policies that address the needs of Aboriginal and culturally
and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Engage high level stakeholders and promote the department’s client service vision and values
internally and externally.

Develop clear performance measures and indicators and communicate these to employees.

Motivate and inspire employees to achieve outcomes recognising high performers and those who
exceed expected outcomes.

Use the current vision, strategy, timelines and departmental goals to synthesise clear actions plans
and direction for all members within the team/business unit.

Provide influential leadership and advice when faced with difficult and / or high pressure situations.

Investigate new trends, connections and both intra and inter departmental issues and translate these
into goals and priorities for the department.

Role model the vision and values of the department and inspire commitment amongst staff and
stakeholders.

Identify limitations in current strategic vision and develop innovative solutions in order to maximise
outcomes.

Analyse information and develop action plans to manage and minimise potential risks and maximise
opportunities.

Monitor trends within the political environment and assess the potential impact on the department.

Take action and provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as engaging in learning about other cultures to better
establish relationships and improve services.
JOB SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
1
Strategic Leadership – identify strategic goals and provide direction and influential leadership to others to achieve outcomes.
2
Developing Interventions – demonstrate ability to strategically plan, implement, evaluate and review the use of all resources of
a unit, the broad service delivery issues and the broader policy and practice issues across the division.
3
Multi-disciplinary Teamwork – demonstrate ability to be proactive and creative in determining solutions to problems and in
establishing a team environment which supports continuous improvement.
4
Management – demonstrate experience in administration, financial management and human resource management, policy
development, service delivery and strategic planning.
5
7.
Psychological Assessment – understand the factors that may place families at risk, including mental health issues, drug and
alcohol abuse, intellectual disability, family dysfunction and intergenerational abuse and an ability to articulate how this impacts
on practice in the child protection and young offender areas.
DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY:
Date:
Signature:
APPROVED BY:
Date:
Signature:
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