Clinical Psychologist For Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service

Employment Type: Temporary Part Time up to 11.Feb.2025
Position Classification: Clinical Psychologist
Remuneration: 105553 - 128653 - full time equivalent base salary range (excludes super, leave loading and salary packaging)
Hours Per Week: 16
Requisition ID: REQ459587
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network is the largest paediatric health care entity in Australia. We care for thousands of children each year in our hospitals and in their homes — with one purpose in mind — to help young people live their healthiest lives.
An exciting new position to develop protocols and provide high quality psychological care to paediatric patients in the IBD/Gastroenterology service. The initial contract is for 12 months with a view to extension of contract.
Applicants currently enrolled in a combined Masters/PhD are eligible to apply if they have completed the equivalent of Masters degree requirements as part of the PhD pathway. Evidence of this is demonstrated by a completed PDEC-76 form and cover letter from the University confirming Masters degree requirements have been met.
Applicants are eligible to apply if they have completed an accredited Masters degree and are awaiting their graduation ceremony. Written confirmation from the University is required.

• An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies

What you'll be doing
The primary focus of this position is to provide service development and high-quality psychological navigation services to children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. IBD is a term used to describe both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. IBD is a condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system or gut. IBD is a chronic condition. This means that it is ongoing and life-long, although patients may have periods of good health (remission), as well as times when symptoms are more active (relapses or flare-ups). Referrals would include managing a range of difficulties, including, but not limited to, 'adjustment to diagnosis', anxiety around symptoms/medication/interventions, adjustment to stomas/surgery, trauma related to surgery/progression of illness, managing fatigue/pain/low mood. Outpatient clinic care will be available for either individual or group therapy.
This role will provide a clinical and quality improvement focus on the needs of IBD patients, with the aim of developing sustainable pathways, resources and solutions that enhance access to mental health / psychological services for children and their families. Additionally, there will be a requirement to build the service, develop a project plan for ongoing care of this patient group, with measuring appropriate outcome measures. There may be a requirement to support patients with general gastroenterological problems that require high level psychology assessment.
The IBD psychologist will develop screening protocols as part of the standard care pathway to identify children with psychological distress, and build relationships within and external to CHW to ensure referral pathways are optimised. They will also provide crisis mental health assessment and referral as required, and develop psychoeducational resources to help children and their families manage difficulties they may be having linked to IBD. The role will also focus on building capacity within CHW by providing staff education and engaging key stakeholders who support patients with IBD, including families and carers.
Experience in paediatric psychological assessment and therapy, specifically with children with chronic health conditions, is desirable.
The role is temporarily funded and therefore the establishment of sustainable pathways is a critical focus. The post holder will be expected to utilise research skills for audit, policy, service development and research. Of particular importance will be the development, monitoring and evaluating of outcome measures for the service. These will be used to build a case for ongoing funding for this post.
The post holder will be expected to work autonomously within professional practice guidelines. As well as adhering to an overall framework of the policies and procedures of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

• Completion of 2 year (minimum) full time equivalent accredited postgraduate Masters or Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. Full registration with the AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia, with Clinical Psychology endorsement, or eligibility to progress to the same.
• Clinical skills and expertise in chronic illness or disability and mental health problems of children and adolescents.
• Demonstrated experience in quality improvement or service development in a health setting.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated high level presentation or teaching skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be solutions focused, collaborative, act proactively and prioritise work within an environment of competing priorities.
• Demonstrated research and publication.
• Capable of independent initiation as well as ability to work well in a team.

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity - we acknowledge the vibrancy that a diverse workforce brings to enhance both our workplace culture and our service delivery to children, young people and their families and carers. We encourage all suitably qualified applicants to apply. If you identify as an Indigenous Australian or as a person with a disability, please contact us if you would like some more information about our recruitment process.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families that access the services we provide at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Aboriginal job applicants are encouraged to visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application.
Please refer to the Application Guide and NSW Policy Directive PD2022_030 Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases for vaccination requirements.
All NSW Health workers are required to have completed a primary course (2 doses) of a COVID-19 vaccine which has been approved or recognised by the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA).
Acceptable proof of vaccination is the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement or AIR COVID-19 Digital Certificate. Booster doses are highly recommended for all health care workers who have completed the primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations.
This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Office of the Children’s Guardian. For more information on how to apply for the clearance, please visit the Office of the Children’s Guardian Website https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/
NSWHealth is committed to child safety in line with the Child Safe Standards
Applicants holding visas with working rights may be considered for temporary appointment (up to the expiry date of their visa) where no suitable local applicant is identified.
Need more information?
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For role related queries or questions contact Shoma Dutt on shoma.dutt@health.nsw.gov.au
If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander wishing to apply for this role and want to speak with an Aboriginal person/representative from the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network please contact Wayne Dargan on 0486012545.
For technical support please contact the customer services team on 1300 679 367 and select option 3.
Applications Close: 21/01/2024