• Part-time fixed term, Senior Psychologist within the PBP
• Based at Clifton Hill
• Diverse and supportive environments

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, conduct research and advance in your profession. Together, we can contribute to a more connected, compassionate mental health and criminal justice system.

Job location

 We address the needs of people experiencing mental health issues, the mental health sector, the justice sector and the general community. These services are delivered through inpatient services at Thomas Embling Hospital, community services through the Community Forensic Mental Health Service and prison-based services at several locations. This position is located at the Community Forensic Mental Health Service (CFMHS) in Clifton Hill, 15 minutes from Melbourne’s city centre, but the applicant may be required to work at other locations. CFMHS is a specialist state-wide agency that works with individuals who have a serious mental health illness and have offended or are at risk of offending.

About the Role:

• The senior psychologist provides a high level of clinical and forensic psychological experience to CFMHS and undertakes assessments and treatment of clients referred to the Problem Behaviour Program (PBP) as part of a multi-disciplinary team. The senior psychologist also shares responsibility for the supervision and training of other psychologists and staff within the PBP and contributes positively to quality improvement clinical projects. 

Duties:

• Facilitate secondary consultations regarding the management and treatment of complex client issues to other clinicians and also to professionals supporting and supervising these clients.
• Provide individual and/or group based interventions as appropriate.
• Contribute to patient's risk management plans in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Contribute to, or initiate, specialist clinical projects in relation to identified client populations or needs.
• Provide specialist psychological, including risk, assessments and reports where required, including reports for the courts and other agencies.
• Provide specialist assessments to the courts on matters of fitness to be tried and mental impairment. 

About You:

• Expertise in clinical forensic psychology including forensic assessment, assessment of risk for violence and intervention with offenders and/or forensic patients
• Extensive knowledge of current psychological approaches in working with mentally, and/or behaviourally disordered clients in a forensic mental health setting
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, management and supervision of staff and students
• Demonstrated ability to work within a complex organisational environment
• At least five years experience as a psychologist in a clinical and/or forensic setting

What you need:

• Masters or Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from an Australian Psychological Society (APS) accredited course or equivalent, or a Doctorate degree in Forensic Psychology from an APS accredited course or equivalent.
• Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency (AHPRA).
• The successful candidate will be required to register their qualifications on eCredential.

This position is subject to a Police Check.

A culture where people matter.

• Excellent supervision and investment in the skill development of managers and supervisors.
• Celebration and reward for good performance, through employee recognition.
• 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.
• 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 support, peer support and critical incidence response programs, as needed.

For more information on employee benefits visit https://www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/careers/employee-benefits 

COVID19 & Influenza Vaccination Evidence

Under the Victorian Public Health orders, all employees working within the Public Health system must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and Influenza and are required to provide acceptable evidence of their vaccination status. The current orders require evidence of three doses for COVID-19.
All applicants to positions with Forensicare will need to upload acceptable evidence of full vaccination against COVID-19 and Influenza as part of their job application. Acceptable evidence is a copy of your Immunisation History Statement which can be accessed via MyGov. For international candidates, acceptable evidence is documentation issued by the relevant government authority. Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who can provide evidence that they meet full vaccination status.

Current Forensicare employees should apply through eRecruit using an account which is linked to their Forensicare email address and should contact People and Culture if they are unable to access their Forensicare eRecruit account.

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 curiosity, purpose, strong ethics, compassion and fairness; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.