Position overview

Canberra Sexual Health Centre (CSHC) is based at the Canberra Hospital campus in Garran.  CSHC provides sexual health and HIV care and is home to the Adult Gender Service (AGS) providing gender care to adults and adolescents aged 16 and over. The AGS has close links with the Paediatric Gender Service (PGS).

Together, AGS and PGS comprise the CHS Gender Service, providing interdisciplinary support for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children, young people, adults and their families in the ACT and surrounding regions. The Gender Service aims to improve physical and mental health and quality of life outcomes for TGD people of all ages by providing care in which individuals feel safe, supported, and listened to.

Clinical care is delivered by highly trained health workers using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach embracing family and peer support, reducing stigma and discrimination, and optimising physical and mental health outcomes.

This clinical psychologist position will deliver high level clinical services as part of the AGS and CSHC. This new role will work with a multidisciplinary team to assess, diagnose, and support the wellbeing of adolescents >= 16 years and adults seeking gender care. The clinical psychologist will also contribute to the care of other patients with sexual health conditions that affect their mental wellbeing.

The position will involve supporting patient intake, psychological assessments, counselling, providing reports and liaison with peer support agencies, specialist networks and ACT Government bodies.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide a high level of appropriate skilled clinical assessments, including WPATH assessments, and psychological interventions for individuals referred to the AGS, including working with families and supports. Practice in accordance with professional and ethical standards including the Psychology Board of Australia - Code of conduct.
• Liaising with other service providers to facilitate effective service provision, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
• Exercise professional judgement in solving problems and managing clinical cases, including adaptation of psychological interventions to client needs and working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Active contribution to the planning, development and evaluation of client programs and services including data collection and analysis.
• Active contribution to the development, evaluation and analysis of policies and procedures applicable to professional practice and service delivery.
• Provide professional supervision and/or training to other staff and students as required. Participate in supervision, continuing professional development and performance management.
• Consult and liaise with external community agencies/groups to develop partnerships for health promotion and other service delivery activities.
• As appropriate, participate in and/or implement and coordinate research programs in relevant areas of service delivery, and initiate and coordinate quality improvement activities in areas of specialty.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific competencies include but are not limited to the following.

• Demonstrates high-level interpersonal, emotional intelligence and communication skills with proven ability to supervise and foster effective professional relationships.
• Displays adaptability and the flexibility necessary to accommodate change and provide a service which is responsive to client’s needs.
• A commitment to upholding patient privacy, confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Highly conscientious and professional in all aspects of work.
• Strong organisation skills with a high degree of drive and resilience.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team including external stakeholders, with a high level of verbal and written communication skills.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• General Registration as a psychologist with Area of Practice Endorsement in Clinical Psychology (or currently undertaking the registrar program towards Area of Practice Endorsement in Clinical Psychology) with the Psychology Board of Australia under AHPRA.

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Specific experience include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• At least 3 years’ experience minimum in the profession.
• Prior experience working with adolescents including adolescent development, mental health assessment and capacity assessment.

Desirable

• Knowledge of and/or experience working with TGD people and/or gender incongruence and/or the broader LBGTIQA+ community.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

Key Selection Criteria

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience:

1. Proven ability to provide a high level of skilled clinical assessment and interventions, consistent with Psychology Board of Australia Area of Practice Endorsement competencies in Clinical Psychology.
2. Proven ability or willingness to work towards meeting the requirements to provide clinical supervision to staff and students in accordance with Psychology Board of Australia requirements.
3. Demonstrated ability to actively participate in multidisciplinary teamwork and prioritise workload according to clinical indicators, a risk management framework, and organisational requirements.
4. Demonstrated ability to evaluate psychology programs through quality improvement initiatives, and to plan and develop services to meet the needs of the clients, whilst maintaining data collection and analysis.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.