Senior Psychologist

Job description

Agency Department of Health Work unit Prison Health

Job title Senior Psychologist Designation Professional 3

Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 2 years

Salary $110,873 - $124,173 Location Darwin, Palmerston

Position number RTF Closing 18/09/2025

Contact officer Sean Shapcott, Senior Psychologist on or ,

About the agency

Apply online

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY

QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans

The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability

by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact

officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the OCPE

website.

Primary objective

To provide high quality clinical psychology services to young people (age detained within Holtze Youth Detention Centre, with a specific

focus on the At-Risk referral pathway.

Context statement

This sole clinician role operates within Holtze Youth Detention Centre, working collaboratively with Correctional Psychologists, custodial staff,

and the NT Health multidisciplinary team (MDT). The youth custodial environment is dynamic, with short detention periods requiring flexibility

and the ability to deliver brief, high-quality psychological interventions. Focused on the At-Risk pathway, the role demands strong skills in de-

escalation, conflict resolution, and rapid engagement with vulnerable young people.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Coordinate and lead psychological interventions under the At-Risk referral system, development of collaborative management plans, and

ongoing review.

2. Engage in consultation and liaison with the consulting psychiatrist to support integrated psychiatric and psychological care for young people

at risk.

3. Deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based brief psychological interventions to support emotional stabilisation and promote transition away

from acute risk.

4. Provide step-down support and monitoring for youth exiting the at-risk process, including follow-up consultations and discharge planning.

5. Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation using clinical templates and electronic health records.

6. Participate in MDT risk review meetings and contribute to whole-of-service safety planning for vulnerable young people.

7. Provide advice and education to custodial staff and partners about risk formulation and trauma-informed approaches and contribute to

research and quality improvement activities.

8. Participate in quality improvement and service development initiatives related to youth risk management.

9. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken to ensure high

quality, safe services and workplaces.

10. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. A degree or equivalent qualification in Psychology and registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

2. Demonstrated recent clinical experience in the psychological assessment, treatment and rehabilitation methods appropriate to children and

adolescents.

3. Demonstrated knowledge of current issues, standards and trends in the delivery of psychology services to the target population.

4. Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with clients, carers and multidisciplinary teams.

5. Excellent negotiation and communication skills (both written and oral) and the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with ability

to interact effectively with people from diverse cultures.

6. Extensive experience in the provision of continuing education and support to healthcare staff and clients; including knowledge of trauma

informed care and cultural safety.

7. Hold a current NT (manual) driver's licence or the ability to obtain, and current Working with Children's Clearance.

Desirable

1. Relevant higher qualification in Psychology, Public Health or Health Management.

2. To be a Board-approved supervisor (or eligible for) for supervising graduate students

Further information

Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and criminal

history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. For immunisation

requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or body substances), check

with contact person for requirements.