POSITION DESCRIPTION Clinical Psychologist Paediatric Consult Liaison Psychological Medicine This role is considered a core children s worker and will be subject to safety checking as part of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 Position Holder's Name:... Position Holder's Signature:... Manager/Supervisor's Name:... Manager/Supervisor's Signature:... 1
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PURPOSE OF THE POSITION At (CMH), psychologists work as part of multidisciplinary teams to provide evidence based psychological assessments and interventions for patients and their families. Psychologists also provide other services to support the development and function of their teams and the organisation as a whole. These activities include, but are not limited to: case consultation, staff training and supervision, leadership and involvement in service development activities, and research and evaluation-related activities. The - Paediatric Consult Liaison Psychologist is based at Middlemore Hospital and involves working with children and young people who present to Kidz First or Middlemore Hospital. This post involves providing psychological / mental health assessment and treatment services with a focus on children and young person up to the age of 18, involving as appropriate their family/whanau. Provision of service to adults and older persons that present to Middlemore Hospital may be required at times and the role may involve outpatient work where capacity allows The role will include assessment and treatment of tamariki and their whanau experiencing distress or dysfunction associated with physical, behavioural, social, emotional and mental disorders, with a view to promote safety, mental stability, satisfaction, adaptation, rehabilitation, and reintegration with community and health. Assessments undertaken by the paediatric psychologist will provide an understanding of the person and their difficulties from a broad bio-psycho-social and developmental perspective and include the use of detailed psychological, cognitive and behavioural assessment interviews, and the use of standardised assessments tools. The Psychologist provides consultation and liaison to other health care professionals within the general hospital setting, as well as collaboration with clinicians in Consult Liaison and Psychological Medicine. This will include contribution and leadership of health promotion and disease management groups, and assisting other staff with the development of behavioural medicine programmes. Psychological services are provided in accordance with designated standards of practise and with a commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. We seek to minimise the health inequities and improve care of ethnic groups, including Maaori, Pacific, Asian, and Indian populations. 3
PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION General Manager Medicine Service Manager Psychological Medicine Professional Leader Psychology Clinical Head Psychological Medicine Psychologist Paediatric Consult Liaison Line Reporting Professional 4
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements Essential Requirements Registered as a Clinical Psychologist or Psychologist with acceptable qualifications and training to contribute to the provision of assessment and intervention services for the Paediatric Consult Liaison Service. Clinical psychologist Conduct thorough assessment of patients including: psychosocial history (developmental, family, relational, educational, medical, vocational, drug/alcohol, mental health, treatment, violence, legal), mental status examination, and risk to self/others. Develop sound psychological formulations based on thorough assessment, including as appropriate DSM diagnoses, response to referral questions, and providing treatment planning and recommendations as appropriate Provide interventions including individual therapy (often with a strong CBT focus), therapeutic groups, family therapy, psycho-educational groups, staff education, behavioural management, case consultation Deliver high quality and time efficient psychological assessment and treatment for service users Contribute and where indicated, provide leadership and direction to the planning, organisation and evaluation of services Participate in local, regional and national evaluation activities to measure the effectiveness of the position Follow best practice principles based on the least restrictive interventions and informed by evaluation and research Provide professional psychological consultation and opinions regarding patients Provide information and educational experiences to homogenous groups of patients aimed at increasing understanding of their condition, and/or enhancing 5
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements coping skills, recovery and adjustment Conduct psychological testing procedures as appropriate to allow clarification of issues and to assist with treatment planning Implement processes to identify and address gaps in service provision Provide psychological consultation to other services to assist them with the management of patients not directly treated. Provide formal psychological assessment reports and psychological testing reports according to standard and within timeframes Provide staff training / facilitation to enhance health outcomes for patients while also contributing to staff wellbeing Professional accountability Apply and adhere to the legal requirements of the NZ Psychologists Board and the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003) Comply with the Code of Ethics for Psychologists Working in Aotearoa New Zealand (2002) Adhere to the Core Competencies for the Practice of Psychology in New Zealand by the NZ Psychologists Board Apply the NZ Psychologists Board s Best Practise Guidelines where relevant Adhere to the policies and procedures of Counties Manukau Health Maintain all relevant legislative requirements, including those expressed through the Health and Disability Commissioner, the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers Rights and the Privacy Act (1993) Comply with the requirements of other relevant legislation including the Mental Health Act (1992) and amendments Continue to seek clinical supervision and professional education in areas of relevance to ensure the standards of evidence based practice are upheld 6
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements Working knowledge of the Mental Health and Addictions Cultural Capability Plan Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Honouring Cultural Diversity Conduct oneself in a professional manner at all times Communication Communicate clearly and appropriately with all constituencies. Provide multidisciplinary team members, Team Leader, Service Manager or Professional Leader with relevant information in a timely manner. Produce formal psychological assessment reports and psychological testing reports according to standard and within timeframes. Maintain accurate and timely records, and comply with clinical documentation policy. Provide letters to referrers and other appropriate external agencies in an efficient and timely fashion. Professional Development Regularly participate in, and actively meet requirements of, clinical supervision; and participate in peer review. Apply principles as a scientist-practitioner to appraise relevant research, enhance knowledge and incorporate learning into practise. Participate in and contribute to in-service training; attend conferences and training. Identify learning needs and address them through Professional Development Plan. Develop knowledge and skills, and provide services under supervision, based upon Senior Clinical Psychologist competencies. CULTURAL CAPABILITY Adhere to the Cultural Competencies, by the NZ Psychologists Board Application of cultural competencies within the HCPA Act 2003 evidenced in Annual Performance Development Review. Recognise Maaori as tangata whenua. Understand the importance of equal opportunity to healthcare access and outcomes from that service. This may require differing levels and types of service provision. 7
Key Accountabilities Standards / Achievements HEALTH & SAFETY Recognises individual responsibility for workplace Health & Safety under the Health and Safety Act 1992 Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Our cultural differences are acknowledged by respecting spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices Non-Management roles: Counties Manukau DHB (CM Health) Health and Safety policies are read and understood and relevant procedures applied to own work activities Workplace hazards are identified and reported including self-management of hazards where appropriate Can identify health and Safety representative for area Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate an ability to access and use available clinical information systems. Is conversant with applications required for specific discipline/role. For example, i.pm, Concerto, Outlook, etc. Maintains own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes. COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS A high level of communication is required on a regular basis with a range of Counties Manukau Health staff members including: Internally Multidisciplinary team colleagues at Kidz First Colleagues in Psychological Medicine Whirinaki and Child Development Service Cultural advisors Family advisors Externally there will be contact with: Family/whaanau Child and Family Unit Starship CAMHS services across the region 8
Educational Institutions PHO s, NGO s and NASC services All other relevant health professionals and intersectoral agencies involved with the patient Informal support networks, consumer and community groups Family/whaanau support networks Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations the psychologist will be required to exercise sound judgement and use negotiation and persuasiveness skills toward facilitating a workable outcome. PROBLEM COMPLEXITY Psychologists will be regularly challenged by a wide range of complex health issues and accompanying mental health difficulties. There will be a requirement to be able to prioritise issues and negotiate time frames, while still providing a quality service. The range of problems will be diverse and require solutions customised to meet the circumstances of the patient. Therefore opportunities will arise to provide innovative options to the patient based on proven outcomes. There will be demands to meet deadlines, maintain accuracy and quality of information. Failure to do so could impact on the organisation in terms of risk to patients, colleagues or the organisation. Will refer to the clinician s supervisor, Clinical Head, Professional Leader or Service Manager for advice or second opinion. SCOPE FOR ACTION Is encouraged to use initiative and problem solving skills to develop innovative approaches to issues. Discretion is required to be exercised in releasing confidential information to the appropriate parties. This position is not exhaustive and the incumbent may be requested to perform any reasonable task within the scope of the position as requested by the Service Manager. This position description will be reviewed from time to time in consultation with the incumbent. DIMENSION OF THE POSITION Will be responsible to the Service Manager for the achievement of agreed objectives and operates within the confines of. 9
POSITIONS REPORTING IN THIS ROLE (numbers) Directly (numbers): Indirectly (numbers): Nil Nil 10
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS (requirements for the role) Qualification Experience Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour Minimum Doctoral Degree or Masters plus Diploma of Clinical Psychology or equivalent. Must be registered and hold the Clinical Psychology vocational scope of practice under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance (HPCA) Act 2003 with a current Annual Practising Certificate A full NZ Driver s Licence with no limitations Not less than 12 months practical experience in clinical psychology in an appropriate setting (including practicum experience during training) Substantial experience in therapy with people with physical health difficulties and concerns High level of verbal and written communication skills Excellent report writing skills PC based computer skills, including word processing Knowledge of health psychology theory and practice Competencies in psychological assessment Competencies in psychological testing Competencies in treatment planning and the provision of 11 Preferred Member of NZ Psychological Society or NZ College of Clinical Psychologists. Evidence of continuing professional education. Minimum 12 months practical experience in a physical health setting Experience with applied research Skills to prepare and make professional presentations Skills to provide mental status examinations Skills in cognitive testing Skills to provide group psychological therapy and psycho-education Skills to provide family therapy Skills in providing behavioural management Skills in research and evaluation
Personal Qualities individual psychotherapy Competencies to work with a multidisciplinary team Competencies to Incorporate cultural components & consultation in clinical practise Hold clean NZ driver s license Ability to positively contribute to the welfare of the team Ability to positively contribute to the clinical psychology discipline Able to work as an independent professional Commitment to working in a multidisciplinary team Flexibility to provide variety of clinical services at times and locations as required 12
HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCOUNTABILITIES (non-management roles) Health and Safety (H&S) is a key accountability of all (CM Health) staff. All CM Health Employees are responsible to: Zero Harm Risk Management Engage in safe workplace practices and take care of the health and safety of themselves, other employees and people in the workplace Identify, evaluate and report all hazards and incidents they are aware of in the workplace Adhere to apply risk controls, identified in risk assessments, such as Safe Operating Procedures Follow safety instructions Stop work when there is an immediate risk of serious harm and notify the appropriate manager Ensure nothing they do or don t do will cause harm to themselves or others Safety Management System Requirements Understand and follow CM Health s Occupational Health and Safety policies, Health and Safety regulations, and personal responsibilities as outlined by these policies Follow all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures Work Safely Report for duty in a fit state, free from the influence of alcohol or other drugs Participate in consultation activities regarding matters affecting your health, safety and wellbeing Wear the required Personal Protective Equipment when undertaking specific activities, or when in nominated areas Operate clinical or plant equipment safely Participate in relevant safety training, and maintain safety related competencies If relevant to your position, be in possession of required and current Certificates of Competency 13