SKiP (Support Kids In Pain) is Australia’s first not-for-profit organisation which provides support and education to children living with chronic pain and their families.
Chronic pain, such as post-cancer, post-surgical, musculoskeletal, headaches and abdominal pain, if left untreated places a significant burden upon children during a vitally important period of growth and development. It affects personal, emotional and social development and can severely impact quality of life as well as place great strain on families. SKIP’s team is comprised of highly skilled and dedicated specialists who provide a comprehensive pain assessment and management program.
The SKiP Team consists of:
- Pain Physician
- Clinical Coordinator
- Physiotherapist
- Psychologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Art Therapy Practitioner
- Administration Officer
- Health Promotion Officer
- Grants Officer
Key accountabilities:
To provide clinical psychology services to assist in the function of the SKiP Pain Clinic including:
- Assessment of psychological factors contributing to a child’s complex persistent pain problem
- Delivery of safe evidence-based psychological interventions for the treatment of persistent pain, mainly in the context of group work and individual parent education.
- Formulation of key recommendations in collaboration with the SKiP multidisciplinary team
- To utilise expert clinical reasoning skills in determining the best pathway for individuals and families requiring further psychological services.
- To work in collaboration with current psychologist team member in fulfilling the psychology role and negotiate shared roster.
- To work effectively within an inter-professional model of service delivery and support interdisciplinary pain management interventions promoted by other allied health team members
- To develop and contribute to ongoing quality improvement of SKiP psychology services including group session plans, resources and supplementary handouts.
- To work confidently in a community setting and utilise cloud office solutions for administrative tasks
- To help set up and pack up SKiP clinic days, from mostly Tarragindi location.
- To contribute to SKIP communications including 365, website, newsletter and other media.
- Advise SKiP on issues relevant to psychology and persistent pain treatment of children and families.
- Identify professional development needs specific to psychology and persistent pain practice.
- To contribute to and/or support SKiP professional education as part of raising paediatric persistent pain awareness.
- To contribute and or support SKiP’s fundraising initiatives.
- To attend service planning meetings held usually 1-2 times a year and occasional team meetings for shared inservice.
Knowledge / Qualifications:
- Possession of an Australian Psychological Society (APS) accredited postgraduate qualification in clinical psychology and/or an endorsement in clinical psychology would be highly considered
- Post graduate experience and or demonstrated professional development in the area of persistent pain and/or paediatrics is desirable
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
Work Experience:
- Demonstrated experience working with paediatric and adolescent populations with persistent pain and/or chronic health conditions.
- Demonstrated experience in rapport building with young people and working therapeutically with parents, families and significant others to ensure the best outcomes for the child or young person.
- Understanding or previous experience working in a multidisciplinary setting.
A position description is attached.