Role
The Senior Psychologist is responsible for the provision of specialist support to the wider Mental Health Program in providing treatment to consumers who are engaging in offending behaviours or who at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. Where necessary, the role has the capacity to focus on the subset of these consumers who are neurodiverse or who are suspected of being so, and to provide a technical expertise to the treatment and management of comorbid mental health and forensic and/or behaviours of concern in the context of neurodiversity.
The position sits operationally within MHFACT, providing service to VFTAC-referred patients of MHFACT, but has the potential to address the needs of patients of the Secure Extended Care Unit (SECU) and the wider mental health program. Referrals are triaged utilising the Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) model, prioritising those patients who pose the most risk and delivering interventions most likely to maximise responsivity specific to the needs of neurodiverse clients.
The Senior Psychologist Forensic provides primary and secondary consultation regarding identified consumers who are engaged in a wide variety of challenging behaviours including but not limited to violence, sexual offending, fixation, stalking, fire-setting, and threatening behaviours. This may include the provision of risk assessment reports utilising structured professional judgement tools, working as a secondary case worker for VFTAC referred clients, the development of or input into behavioural management plans, and assisting treating teams to provide interventions based on best practice. The position is also responsible for the provision of training and education on contemporary best practice regarding risk assessment, the implementation of behaviours of concern plans, and the management of neurodiverse consumers with complex forensic issues.
Utilising specialist knowledge and skills, the Senior Psychologist will partner with the Mental Health and Adult Autism Project (MHAAP) to promote best practice and optimal outcomes for neurodiverse patients with complex forensic presentations as well as contribute to service development. The position has access to forensic mental health peer support through MHFACT and neurodevelopmental psychiatry peer support through MHAPP, to assist with the development of service delivery initiatives for this vulnerable patient group.
About You
You are an experienced, energetic and determined in the clinical work you have undertaken within mental health and forensic settings. You’re serious about clinical assessment and providing evidence supported treatments. You work collaboratively and think flexibly about what interventions may assist each individual and keep the community safe. Your track record includes demonstrated success in the following areas:
1. Undertaking structured assessments to assist in diagnosis, formulation and treatment planning
2. Undertaking clinically effective treatments with individuals
3. An interest in achieving best outcomes for neurodiverse consumers of mental health services
4. Proven ability to develop and implement comprehensive management plans including behavioural plans across a variety of settings
5. A commitment to service provision in public health
6. Provision of supervision to other psychologists and post-graduate students
You are highly motivated and thrive on the challenge of supporting and developing clinical programs. Naturally you have strong written and verbal communication skills, you are a team player, and possess well developed negotiation and influencing abilities that will be used in working with internal and external stakeholders.
What you need:
7. Current general registration with AHPRA
8. Working with Children’s Check
9. Forensic or Clinical Endorsement with AHPRA
10. AHPRA registration to supervise post-graduate program students and registrars
11. 5 years or more of proven clinical experience
What’s in it for you?
12. Genuine career opportunity to influence and shape the development of a public mental health service
13. Support, mentoring and development from a highly experienced and well regarded leadership team
14. Satisfaction derived from supporting the development of forensic mental health competencies amongst mental health staff and other stakeholders.
As an employee of the largest public health service in Victoria, you will have access to salary packaging, onsite staff car parking and gym and a generous Employee Assistance Program.
Monash Health is a great place to work
15. salary packaging options that increase your take-home pay
16. a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing program
17. free vaccinations
18. private health insurance at discounted rates
19. health imaging services
20. + more
Monash Health is Victoria’s largest public health service. We are proud to provide healthcare to one quarter of Melbourne’s population, across the entire life-span from newborn and children, to adults, the elderly, their families and carers. More than 22,000 employees work at over 40 care locations across south eastern Melbourne, including Monash Medical Centre, Monash Children’s Hospital, Moorabbin Hospital, Dandenong Hospital, Casey Hospital, Kingston Centre, Cranbourne Centre, and an extensive network of rehabilitation, aged care, community health and mental health facilities. For more information please visit .
How to Apply
Applications are only accepted that are submitted via the Monash Health online Mercury System (e-recruit).
information including how to apply and probity check requirements, please refer to attached ‘Application Guide’ located under Position Documents.
Please note, applications will be screened upon receipt and selection activity may commence prior to the closing date.