Psychologist (Complex Needs, Forensic & Behaviour Support)

Are you looking for a way to use your advanced problem solving skills, clinical knowledge and interest in complexity?

Join a well-respected, friendly and dynamic team in roles that combine flexibility, support, variety and a strong commitment to best practice.

Complex Psychology are seeking psychologists to meet the ever expanding demand for our services.

Who are we?

Complex Psychology is a boutique allied health consultancy, with offices in Port Melbourne and Mildura, that provides a range of allied health services to participants with complex disability and psychosocial needs. We are highly regarded as a result of our expertise assessing, coordinating and treating people who have extremely Complex Needs and for our experience in negotiating complex service system challenges. Due to our high demand, we are seeking a range of allied health practitioners across the disciplines of occupational therapy and psychology to undertake a variety of different assessment, coordination, Behaviour Support, consultancy, capacity building and treatment roles.

At the heart of Complex Psychology is our dedication to working with and for clients who have multiple and complex disability and psychosocial needs. We provide a range of services to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Department of Justice and Community Safety (DOJCS), NDIS participants, Non-Government Organisations and private individuals. Our work is often targeted at supporting care teams and services to increase their capacity to support clients with Complex Needs. 

Roles at Complex Psychology require an understanding of complexity and experience in the sector, however we are also willing to consider early career psychologists who have a specific interested in working with Complex Needs.  Entry level roles are available where staff will be supported to develop their skills in clinical assessment, forensic assessment, Behaviour Support services, complex coordination services, individual and group treatment and consultation and training delivery.  Clear progression pathways exist for entry level positions.

We are also seeking established clinicians seeking to expand their level of expertise in a challenging and highly respected organisation where existing skills in public mental health, prisons, forensic disability and other areas of high need would be most valued.  Established practitioners commence at the top of our salary range.

About the roles:

The successful candidates will undertake the following:

• Discipline specific psychological assessment (potentially including forensic assessment, depending on clinician experience)
• Positive Behaviour Support assessment and intervention
• Assessment and development of care plans under the Human Services (Complex Needs) Act
• Coordination of clients under the Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative (MACNI)
• Specialist support coordination
• Assessment of service system issues and the provision of advice to address system barriers within care teams
• Clinical intervention and therapy
• Development and delivery of training
• Secondary consultation
• Facilitation of training, professional development and other capacity building activities to services.

Positions with Complex Psychology afford team members a unique work experience not often seen in private organisations. This includes:

• Opportunity to work with clients who have exceptionally Complex Needs and high profile forensic clients in a service that is very highly regarded within the service system.
• Ongoing opportunities to develop formal and informal leadership qualities throughout the work you will provide.
• Supportive and generous supervision framework, which combats the professional isolation than can come with being a sole practitioner, sub-contractor or working in a very large organisation.
• Generous remuneration as a salaried employee within a friendly and supportive team.
• The potential to grow your role to suit your areas of expertise and interest.
• Rigorous internal support available to help staff navigate and advocate within complex and inter-connected service systems.
• A healthy balance of individual client work, systemic co-ordination work and service system capacity building tasks.
• Opportunities to present our expertise at relevant national and international conferences with support (a group of staff presented at a forensic conference in Italy in 2023!).

We are proud to offer the following supports and benefits to successful candidates:

• Multiple forms of professional development, including individual internal supervision, multidisciplinary internal group supervision and funded external clinical supervision and training.
• Generous professional development allowances.
• Above award rate remuneration
• Flexible work conditions (a combination of office based and work from home)
• Realistic billing goals that have promoted the development of the high-quality work that has built our reputation as experts in the field of Complex Needs. Our emphasis is on how you contribute to the needs of our participants, our team and the broader service sector.
• We strongly encourage applicants with relevant practice experience to apply. Sound clinical reasoning and a commitment to learn will be highly regarded, and whilst a familiarity with NDIS and/or MACNI operational processes is positive, it is not essential. Ongoing support will be available to work within our requirements.  

Board approved supervision for registrars can be offered with a view to endorsement (clinical provided internally and forensic/other funded with an established supervisor).

Provisional psychologists will be considered if they meet the general requirements of the role and there is scope for board approval.

All applicants must address the key selection criteria as outlined below:

1. Registration with AHPRA/Psychology Board of Australia.
2. Experience as outlines below:
   • Established clinicians - at least three years experience working with clients who have Complex Needs, for example a combination of intellectual disability, brain injury, severe substance misuse, autism spectrum disorder and serious mental illness.  
   • Entry level clinicians - at least one prior position with clients who have Complex Needs and an interest and understanding of the principles of working with clients who have highly Complex Needs.
3. An understanding of risk in the context of Complex Needs, as well as an understanding of the service system dynamics that can impact service delivery and how to work effectively with teams.
4. An  understanding of the NDIS and the broader disability, mental health, accommodation, and alcohol/other drug (AOD) and forensic sectors
5. Well-developed communication skills, including the ability to confidently facilitate training, meetings, presentations and other group activities.  Excellent written skills are also required.
6. An interest in working with clients who demonstrate serious behaviours of concern including sexualised behaviours and violent offending and significant self-harm.
7. A current and valid driver’s licence and access to own vehicle to use for the purpose of attending appointments (including appointments in regional Victoria on occasion)

Applications should be addressed to Jacqui Brown, Director, Complex Psychology and received by COB 9 February 2024.

Please apply via the Seek website, including a cover letter that addresses all Key Selection Criteria and includes a detailed CV.

For more information or to discuss the role further please call Jacqui Brown on 0427 721 *** or Michelle James, Operations & Clinical Services Manager on 0447 672 522.

Travel within Victoria, including some limited travel to rural and regional areas may be a part of the role and a valid Victoria driver's licence and access to a motor vehicle is required.

Complex Psychology values an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and strongly encourages Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from the LGBTQI+ community and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply. All our workspaces are physically accessible, both internally and externally. We welcome advice from applicants regarding any modifications, adaptations or considerations they require to participate comfortably in the interview process.

If you would like a copy of a position description, please contact Megan Darwish, Office Manager, at *************@complexpsychology.com.au

Equity – Integrity – Respect – Quality/Expertise – Leading Change – Empowerment