Psychology Registrar

Clinical/Forensic Psychology Registrar – Multiple positions available

• Are you about to graduate or have recently graduated in Psychology?
• Clinical Forensic Psychology or Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar (of variable length dependent on Registrar Program requirements)
• Be part of a supportive, collaborative, and interdisciplinary allied health graduate and psychology registrar program.
• Rotational positions across all Forensicare locations.

A career in the forensic mental health sector is diverse, challenging and rewarding. A career at Forensicare will be like no other. If you're passionate about supporting people in their mental health recovery, Forensicare is where you need to be. You will be a part of a caring and supportive team, making a real difference to people living with the dual stigma of mental illness and offending. We approach our work with curiosity and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of our consumers and carers. Working across community, hospital and prison settings, you can learn, apply your specialist skills and advance in your profession. Together, we can contribute to a more connected, compassionate mental health and criminal justice system.

Job location:

These are rotational positions and will be available across all Forensicare sites including:

• Thomas Embling Hospital
• Community Forensic Mental Health Service
• Prison-based services at several locations

About the Program:

Psychology registrars are an integral part of Forensicare's commitment to progressing the discipline in public mental health for forensic mental health services. The Psychology Registrar Program is designed to provide structured, supported opportunities for qualified, entry-level registered psychologists working toward an Area of Practice Endorsement (in clinical and / or forensic psychology, or in clinical neuropsychology) to gain forensic mental health expertise and consolidate clinical skills and knowledge in a range of forensic settings. The registrar program facilitates an expansion of skills and experience through rotations across inpatient, community and prison-based services. Program length is a 12-, 18-, or 24- month program (dependent on qualification)

The program is guided by the Psychology Board of Australia (Psy BA); a function of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Registrars within the program will rotate throughout our organisation and have the access to regular clinical supervision from an experienced Board-approved supervisor, monthly education sessions as well as an internal training calendar, regular group reflective practice, and dedicated self-directed learning time.

Program Length: 12-24 months dependent on specific AHPRA requirements

Rotation: 6-12 monthly rotations across Thomas Embling Hospital, Community and Prisons

Education: Monthly education sessions throughout the program + access to an internal training calendar for the department

About the Role:

The psychologist provides psychological expertise to Forensicare programs (this may include inpatient units at Thomas Embling Hospital, a community-based forensic program, and/or prison-based mental health programs). Duties are primarily focused on working with individuals in contact with the justice system as a member of the multidisciplinary team. The psychologist may be involved in scholarly writing and research. The psychologist completes court ordered psychological assessments as directed.

Under the supervision of an experienced psychologist and Board-approved supervisor, the registrar works within the boundaries and scope of practice set by their profession and the Forensicare environment. The registrar recognises the needs of the individual and plans, implements, documents and evaluates psychological assessments, treatments, and consultation for an identified patient group. Treatment may occur individually or through the provision of therapeutic group programs. The registrar works within a multidisciplinary team and assists in meeting unit/program and organisational objectives to provide high quality, specialist clinical services that focus on consumer recovery. The registrar actively engages in formal training, regular clinical supervision, reflective practice opportunities, on-the-job learning and development activities within the targeted registrar development program.

Duties:

• Provides a full range of psychological services and advice on the management and treatment of patients,
• Provides specialist psychological assessments and reports as required.
• Design, plan, and facilitate individual and group treatment for consumers in line with identified treatment needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
• Provides psychological consultation to the multidisciplinary team and other stakeholders, contributing to understanding and treatment of consumers.
• Contributes to patient risk assessment and risk management in conjunction with the multi- disciplinary team.
• Provides discipline-specific contributions to clinical practice and to program development.
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of inter-disciplinary teamwork and of connections with the broader service network.
• Seek out, utilise and contribute to evidence-based research regarding the provision of psychological services to enhance current practice.
• Contribute to Forensicare's goals of reducing restrictive interventions by providing evidence based clinical intervention to support consumers at risk of suicide or self-harm, or those displaying aggression.
• Works within an ethically and legally sound framework including maintaining professional and ethical standards consistent with those set out by the Psychology Board of Australia

About You:

• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Masters or Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from an APAC accredited course or equivalent, OR Doctorate degree in Forensic Psychology from an APAC accredited course or equivalent, OR, Masters or Doctorate degree in Clinical Neuropsychology from an APAC accredited course or equivalent.
• A good understanding of the current psychological approaches in working with consumers in the forensic mental health setting.
• Skills in clinical assessment, including the administration and interpretation of psychological tests designed to assess personality, psychopathology, intelligence and cognitive functioning.
• Skills in providing individual or group treatment with patients with mental illness, emotional problems, and/or behavioural problems.
• Knowledge and interest in clinical forensic psychology including forensic assessments (i.e., court ordered assessments, assessment of risk for violence) and intervention with justice-involved individuals or those presenting as at risk of harmful behaviours OR Knowledge in Clinical neuropsychology including comprehensive assessment of cognitive and psychosocial functioning.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills including the ability to liaise and to consult, and to give written evidence to the courts.
• Demonstrated commitment to mental health consumer recovery.
• Demonstrated commitment to the delivery of quality, recovery-focused mental health care coupled with an awareness of the issues of care-delivery in forensic mental health.
• Ability to understand and interpret relevant legislation, policies, and procedures, including the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, Sentencing Act 1991, the Corrections Act 1986, the Crimes Act 1958, the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997, and the Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 when delivering a range of services to patients.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a multidisciplinary health care environment, using well-developed interpersonal skills to achieve team goals.
• Sound written communication skills demonstrating an ability to understand the audience, to advise and summarise key issues in formal reports.
• Ability to tailor and deliver complex information to a range of audiences using a variety of oral and written communication methods.
• A demonstrated commitment to learning through analysis of own performance, engaging in clinical supervision and professional development, and a commitment to applying this knowledge to practice.

Important Information:

For a full position description, please click here

• Please Note - Applications will be reviewed and interviewed as they are received. Advertising may close earlier than indicated.

A culture where people matter.

• Excellent supervision and investment in the skill development of all our team members.
• Well defined career pathways existing across our Directorates with multi-disciplined Teams.
• Salary Packaging Options available – Mortgage, Rent, Car, Expenses
• A leading, multi-faceted approach to safety, with unparalleled strategic, practical, individualised and team-based supports to minimise risks and fear and maximise safety and security, underpinned by our workplace health and safety strategy.
• Celebration and reward for good performance, through employee recognition.
• Access to an employee assistance program – an external, confidential, self-referral employee wellbeing program, for personal or work-related matters.
• A mental health and wellbeing program providing psychological, peer support and critical incidence response programs.

Eligibility

• Influenza and Immunisation Evidence
• This position is subject to a Police Check

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a lived experience of disability, as well as people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Forensicare promotes our guiding principles of RESPONSIVENESS, INTEGRITY, IMPARTIALITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPECT, LEADERSHIP, HUMAN RIGHTS; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.