Psychologist - Batemans Bay / Narooma / Bega

Purpose of role

This position will support Katungul’s aim to deliver a holistic service that is culturally aware and uses a strengths-based and trauma informed approach.

The position works collaboratively with our GP-multidisciplinary teams across our three clinic sites: Batemans Bay, Narooma, and Bega.

The role is responsible for providing evidenced-based psychological therapies to adults and young clients referred by Katungul’s general practitioners, with priority access to Aboriginal people. The position also provides a leadership role to mentor and support our small but developing mental health service.

Main duties and responsibilities

Provision of psychological services:

• Accept referrals from GPs and liaise with the referring GPs to triage and prioritise clients for your clinic list.
• Provide evidence-based, focused psychological interventions to adult clients and young clients (12 to 25 years) referred under a GP mental health care plan.
• Develop and implement treatment and recovery plans for individuals and families as required.
• Deliver services via a combination of face-to-face and telehealth consultations.
• Provide written reports to the clients referring GP with information regarding assessments undertaken, treatment provided, recommendations on future management of the client’s presenting issues.
• Liaise with treating Psychiatrist as required.
• Participate in case review meetings, contribute to care plans and participate in planned case conferences with GPs and relevant staff from the multidisciplinary team who are also involved in the client’s care.
• Engage families, carer’s, advocates, and significant others as per client consent arrangements.
• Comply with child protection reporting requirements.
• Comply with relevant legal and ethical standards including ethical practice, duty of care, confidentiality, relevant accreditation, and work health safety.
• Undertake clinical supervision in accordance with your registration requirements.

Clinic administration and reporting:

• Complete client progress notes in CommuniCare and report back to referring GP outcome of the initial appointment and follow-up required.
• Maintain clinic data required and prepare reports for the Senior Clinical Manager as required (reports that will assist with reporting to funding body and advocacy to secure additional resources to expand the service).
• Attend team meetings and case work supervision as required.
• Adhere to ethical standards of clinical practice in accordance with AHPRA policy frameworks.

Leadership and mentoring:

• Provide advice on and contribute to service planning, policy and procedure development, pathways and procedures for referral and triage to improve access to Katungul’s limited mental health services.
• Work collaboratively with the mental health RNs to provide the support and mentoring they require to feel supported in and sustained in their role, including clinical advice, peer supervision and debriefing.
• In collaboration with the mental health RNs, establish a pathway and process to ensure support is provided to the NDIS workers who provide daily support to NDIS participants living with severe mental illness.
• Contribute to the design and development of Katungul’s mental health and psychological programs and services as required.

Qualifications / Experience

• Psychology degree and current full registration with AHPRA and the Australian Psychological Society is essential.
• Current registration with Medicare as an approved provider is essential.
• A minimum 2 years demonstrated experience in assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders and provision of CBT and other evidence-based focused psychological strategies is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to establish collaborative partnerships in the GP-multidisciplinary team setting, that facilitate and support people with mental health issues to participate in and access evidence-based care is essential.
• Demonstrated experience and well-developed leadership skills required to mentor and support mental health workers and guide a small but developing mental health service is essential.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the principles of primary health care and how they apply to the prevention and management of mental health issues is essential.
• Demonstrated understanding of Closing the Gap strategies as they apply in a Primary Health Care setting and to this role is essential.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary, evidence based and culturally appropriate approaches to mental health, SEWB and AOD issues within Aboriginal communities is essential.
• Customer service focused: committed to providing exceptional customer service across all channels – written, phone and face to face.
• Communication: the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, varying communication style depending upon the audience.
• Attention to detail: excellent attention to detail and written skills when communicating with others, both internally and externally.
• Commerciality: ability to apply knowledge in a practical, commercial manner.
• Teamwork: willingness to assist and support others as required and get on with team members.
• Time management/organisation: accomplish objectives effectively within time frame given and carry out administrative duties within portfolio in an efficient and timely manner.
• Ability to travel between Katungul’s three clinic sites is essential.
• This position requires that the worker possess an NSW unrestricted Driver Licence
• A current Working With Children Check and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (Police Check) clearance
• Must be able to do a pre-employment medical as well as a drug and Alcohol screening test and random testing as per company policy

Salary and conditions negotiable depending on experience.

If you feel you meet the above role, please apply for an initial confidential discussion. Click "Apply Now".