Position overview

The position entails working as part of the Department of Bariatric Medicine’s multi-disciplinary team to promote positive patient outcomes through the provision of high-quality clinical services, case management, health promotion activities and education. This position may also work collaboratively with the Research School of Psychology at the ANU.

Clinical service delivery will include group and individual therapy for people with psychological issues related to the chronic condition of obesity. This may include strategies for self-monitoring, eating behaviours, physical activity behaviours, body image issues, life stress, motivation, realistic goal setting, and social relationships. The focus of intervention provided by the Psychologist within the service is on improving and maintaining lifestyle behaviours. The position will also involve assessing patient’s psychological suitability for bariatric surgery.

Key Responsibilities

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

Under limited direction of the Department of Bariatric Medicine’s Clinical Coordinator, you will perform high quality psychology clinical service delivery (group and individual), case management, health promotion, and research. You will:

1. Provide high level skilled clinical assessments and interventions across a range of clinical areas, specific to the management of patients with obesity and chronic disease. Normal clinical work under general professional guidance and novel or complex tasks under professional supervision.
2. Establish effective working relationships and liaison with multi-disciplinary health professionals, service administrators and community organisations to ensure effective management of patients living with the chronic disease of obesity.
3. Encourage and support patient’s self-management at home and in community settings through the provision of patient-centered clinical care, patient/carer/family education and assisting with access to appropriate health and community services.
4. Contribute to the planning, development and evaluation of patient programs and services. Under supervision, participate in and/or implement and coordinate research programs in relevant areas of service delivery.
5. Work with other services and community agencies/groups to develop partnerships for health promotion, education and other service delivery activities relevant to the management of obesity.
6. Participate in and provide professional supervision and/or training to other staff and students.
7. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Qualifications/Experience

Essential

• Be registered or be eligible for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA)
• Minimum of five years post qualification experience
• Current driver’s licence.
• Hold approval or be eligible for approval as a Psychology Board of Australia Supervisor
• Fulfil the responsibilities of this role as detailed in the CHS Exceptional Care Framework and all other related frameworks

Desirable

• Previous clinical experience working with obesity and chronic disease is desirable.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.
• Display critical thinking skills and forms defensible conclusions based on evidence and sound judgement.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and adapt quickly to a changing environment.

Prior to commenecement

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

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• 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.

What you Require (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 psychological assessment and therapeutic interventions, with experience in the management of patients living with the chronic disease of obesity. This includes an understanding of factors contributing to obesity and experience in clinical intervention therapies relevant to treatment of obesity.

2. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team, establish priorities, exercise initiative, and deliver outputs within agreed timeframes

3. Proven high level verbal and written communication, with the demonstrated ability to work progressively to coordinate patient care and foster a positive work culture.

4. Demonstrated ability to identify service and/or clinical gaps. Evidence of initiating and participating in professional development, quality initiatives, including health promotion and research.

5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

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.