Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation Position Description

Transcription

1 Central Australian Aboriginal Congress Aboriginal Corporation Position Description POSITION DIVISION BASE LEVEL & SALARY LOCATION CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (PN725) HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION - SEWB Level 10/1 Base Salary: $115, (p.a) Total salary: $130,089 (p.a) (Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience) (Salary packaging options also available) 14 Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs PURPOSE OF POSITION The Clinical Psychologist is responsible for providing clinical psychology assessment and therapeutic services to clients presenting with a broad range of issues relating to, selfesteem, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, anger and conflict management, grief and loss, stress related physical illness, sleep difficulties, domestic violence, sexual problems, relationship issues, alcohol and substance misuse.. The Clinical Psychologist provides professional clinical supervision to other therapeutic staff, including staff completing supervised practice. POSITION REPORT TO SENIOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST OVERVIEW of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Aboriginal Corporation) (Congress) and Work Environment Congress was formed in 1973 to support and advocate for Aboriginal people in the struggle for justice and equity. Since that time, Congress has expanded to become the largest and oldest Aboriginal Community Controlled Primary Health Care Service in the Northern Territory. Congress now provides a comprehensive primary health care service to the Aboriginal community of Alice Springs and to outstations within a 100 kilometre radius and six remote communities in Central Australia (Mutitjulu, Santa Teresa, Amoonguna, Utju, Ntaria and Wallace Rockhole). Today Congress encompasses four (4) Divisions in total; 1. Health Services 2. Public Health 3. Business Services 4. Human Resources The Clinical Psychologist position sits within the Social and Emotional Wellbeing section of the Health Services Division. For further information about Congress visit our website: Page 1 of 6

2 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. OPERATIONAL Clinical Deliver high level clinical services to both internal and external programs (including Headspace and remote programs) as arranged by the Senior Clinical Psychologist; Travel to remote communities to provide psychological services and training including occasional overnight stays. Apply professional judgement to a complex caseload and contribute to the development of clinical practices, procedures and protocols; Provide clinical practice supervision to less experienced practitioners; Provide clinical advice and direction therapeutic staff within SEWB; Client caseload: Provide a clinical psychological service to clients. The Clinical Psychologist should allocate a minimum of 32 hours per week for direct and indirect client work. Direct client work should generate at least contacts on average per week (includes face to face client sessions, phone consultations and sms dialogue with client) or, as the Senior Clinical Psychologist specifies. In general, the number of active clients on a psychologist s caseload should not exceed the safe practice limits specified by the Senior Clinical Psychologist; Adopt outcome measures appropriate to the treated condition such as, DASS-21, K5, AUDIT C, etc. to assess the effectiveness of psychological interventions; Participate and attend Client Review Meetings as part of clinical governance and MDT work. Deliver clinical psychological services based on the 3 streams of care model Medical, Therapeutic, and Social and Cultural Support; Exercise clinical judgment concerning the selection, development and extension of principles, methods and techniques of psychological assessment and/or treatment; Deliver group psycho-educational and therapy programs, using established programs, or develop programs with adaptive utilisation of empirically derived psychological principles; Produce professional client reports that include information about the assessment, a clear psychological formulation of the client s condition, a treatment plan, discharge summary and where appropriate, a review date; Access contemporary knowledge of clinical practice standards including any that relate to Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing service delivery. All aspects of Clinical Psychology practice should demonstrate cultural competency towards Aboriginal culture; Is able to apply knowledge of relevant mental health legislation and policy and where relevant, any mandatory legislative policy related to children and youth services; Consult with Congress management and contribute to the development and evaluation of therapeutic services and identify areas of deficiencies; Contribute factual, accurate and clinically relevant information to the client record system (Communicare) in a concise, legible and timely manner while abiding by Congress (SEWB s) policy relating to data protection and client confidentiality. Ensure the incorporation of Aboriginal values, cross-cultural issues and traditions in the clinical and educational practices of all staff; Assist in the orientation of new and existing SEWB staff; and Provide supervision of other staff where required. Page 2 of 6

3 Caseload Management Apply psychological knowledge and exercises clinical judgment concerning the acceptance of clients at Intake meetings, prioritising client s needs in caseload and wait list management, the use of assessments and development of treatment plans, reviews of progress and referrals for on-going services with external client services. Manage own appointment schedule and client bookings; Optimise Medicare billing by ensuring referrals are made on Mental Health Treatment Plans and Medicare bill for services rendered; Team and Inter-agency engagement Liaise with and provide clinical support to a multidisciplinary team (including medical staff and social and cultural support staff) to ensure the delivery of high quality evidence-based practice that is also culturally-appropriate, and which includes continuous quality improvement and effective risk management; Attend SEWB Client Review and Business meetings (or the equivalent for Headspace); Liaise with referring GPs and other relevant health professionals, and facilitates the provision of coordinated clinical care to clients; Support the provision of Mental Health Treatment Plans for all appropriate clients of the service through directing or encouraging the client to seek a medical appointment for this purpose; Develop and maintains clinically effective working relationships with referring agencies; Participates in the afterhours/ on-call roster when established; Participates in organisational and section reviews; Participates in Congress s clinical governance and clinical auditing procedures intended to evaluate SEWB and Headspace therapeutic services; Keep abreast of professional issues related to social and emotional wellbeing, generally and for Aboriginal people, specifically; Assist in the orientation of new and existing SEWB staff; Actively promote SEWB services internally and externally; Develop and maintain good working relationships with all referring agencies and provide advocacy and support in liaising with other service providers; and When required travel to remote communities to work with clients and clinic staff to improve service delivery of our therapeutic service. Professional Development Participate in clinical supervision, professional development and required professional training; Keep abreast of professional issues related to social and emotional wellbeing, generally and for Aboriginal people, specifically; and Meet regularly with the Senior Clinical Psychologist. 2. OTHER FUNCTIONS Attend all relevant staff meetings; Take all reasonable steps to support the employment, professional development and promotion of Aboriginal people across all parts of Congress; and Undertake any other duties at the request of your supervisor which are considered relevant to the position and the classification level for the position. 3. ACCOUNTABILITIES Ensure the provision of quality and professional service at all times; and Work within strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring all personnel and/or client information is kept secure. Page 3 of 6

4 4. STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS Liaise with a variety of allied Government and Non-Government agencies as directed, or when requested to represent Congress in a professional manner at all times; and Maintain and contribute to a professional focus when dealing with all internal and external stakeholders. 5. WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for the health and safety of anyone else who may be affected by your acts and omissions in the workplace; and Work in accordance with Congress WHS policy, the WHS Act, Regulations and Code of Practices 6. CORPORATE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Maintain the privacy and dignity of internal and external clients at all times; Act with tact and diplomacy when dealing with information of a highly sensitive nature; Always work with an open, honest and transparent focus; Work within strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring all personnel and/ or client information is kept secure; and Provide an ethical and professional level of service at all times. 7. OTHER FUNCTIONS Attend all relevant staff meetings; Take all reasonable steps to support the employment, professional development and promotion of Aboriginal people across all parts of Congress; and Undertake any other duties at the request of your supervisor which are considered relevant to the position and the classification level for the position. 8. ACCOUNTABILITIES Ensure the provision of quality and professional service at all times; and Work within strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring all personnel and/or client information is kept secure. 9. STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS Liaise with a variety of allied Government and Non-Government agencies as directed, or when requested to represent Congress in a professional manner at all times; and Maintain and contribute to a professional focus when dealing with all internal and external stakeholders. 10. WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY (WHS) Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and for the health and safety of anyone else who may be affected by your acts and omissions in the workplace; and Work in accordance with Congress WHS policy, the WHS Act, Regulations and Code of Practices 11. CORPORATE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Maintain the privacy and dignity of internal and external clients at all times; Act with tact and diplomacy when dealing with information of a highly sensitive nature; Always work with an open, honest and transparent focus; Work within strict confidentiality guidelines, ensuring all personnel and/ or client information is kept secure; and Provide an ethical and professional level of service at all times. Page 4 of 6

5 SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Criteria 1. Master s degree or higher in Clinical Psychology with full registration with the Australian Health Professionals Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and member of/or eligible to become a member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. 2. Eligibility to apply for a Medicare Provider Number and bill for services rendered. 3. Demonstrated experience in providing clinical supervision and secondary consultation with a multidisciplinary team that is situated in a cross cultural and complex environment. 4. Demonstrated extensive experience in completing comprehensive psychological assessments, diagnosis, and case formulation with current evidence of the ability to work effectively with complex psychological presentations using evidence-based practice. 5. Knowledge of mental health best practice in relation to prevention, early identification, treatment and rehabilitation and a proven capacity to deliver innovative, quality client services within professional and service timeframes. 6. Awareness of Aboriginal culture within Australia s history, knowledge of cultural sensitivities and current issues affecting the lives of Aboriginal people in conjunction with a willingness to incorporate Aboriginal values into clinical practice. 7. Excellent cross cultural communication and report writing skills. 8. Commitment to delivering psychological services and support to remote communities, including willingness to travel to remote communities and occasional overnight stays. 9. A current Drivers Licence and Working with Children Ochre Card. Desirable Criteria 1. Understanding of evidence based practice including major alcohol reforms in the Northern Territory and alcohol and other drugs services in Alice Springs and across the Territory. 2. Experience driving a 4WD vehicle on unsealed roads (including gravel, san or dirt) or willingness to undertake a 4WDriving course. Appointment Conditions Employment with Congress is conditional upon the employee obtaining a NT Ochre Card (Working with Children) and also Northern Territory Police Screening (Criminal History check), in line with Congress policies for employment of staff. The position holder must be willing to adhere to Congress Code of Conduct, including complying with Workplace Health and Safety (WH&S) requirements, and follow all Congress policy and procedures. Community Expectations: Employee interaction with residents within communities will be taken into account as part of the final performance assessment during the probation period. Page 5 of 6

6 APPLICATION DETAILS APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A RESPONSE TO SELECTION CRITERIA AS OUTLINED ABOVE, A RESUME AND CONTACT DETAILS FOR 2 REFEREES. Applications marked CONFIDENTIAL and addressed to the Human Resources Division can be submitted either by post or ed: Human Resources Officer Human Resources Division Central Australian Aboriginal Congress PO Box 1604 Alice Springs NT vacancy@caac.org.au or Apply on line: For further information or to discuss position contact: Dr Jon-Paul Cacioli Phone: (08) or (08) jon-paul.cacioli@caac.org.au Authorised By: 10 February 2016 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR RECEIPT OF POSITION DESCRIPTION I have received a copy of the Position Description and have read and understand its contents Employee Name (Please Print) Employee Signature Date Senior Manager s Signature Date Page 6 of 6