Clinical Psychologist II

POSITION SUMMARY

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The Clinical Psychologist II provides an advanced level of psychological services to the assigned Mental Health Program, including assessment and treatment services. The Clinical Psychologist functions as a member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to both routine and complex assessments, diagnosis, and the development and delivery of individualized comprehensive treatment plans. The Clinical Psychologist contributes to psychiatric care, health teaching and promotion that builds on client strengths and maximizes independence and self-responsibility. In collaboration with the individual, family and community support network, the Clinical Psychologist participates in assessment of health care needs and develops, implements and evaluates a plan aimed at achieving optimal health. All services are provided according to the ethical standards within the profession.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview:

ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING:

1. Review referral information and consult with other treatment team members to identify those clients who require psychology services.

2. In conjunction with the referral source and other members of the treatment team, determine the precise referral question to be addressed by the assessment.

3. Determine the appropriate psychological tests and methods to be used in gathering assessment information.

4. Administer scores and interpret psychological tests designed to assess the client’s cognitive, educational, and social/emotional functioning as well as personality traits and symptoms of psychopathology.

5. Provide feedback on psychological testing to client, family members, treatment team members, and other health care providers as required.

6. Participate in multidisciplinary team conferences to develop a comprehensive understanding of the client’s presenting problems, the psychosocial context, clinical diagnosis, and the development of an individualized treatment plan.

7. Produce a psychological assessment report that summarizes the assessment information, including the measures used, behavioral observations, interview data, and interpretation of the results of psychological tests, comprehensive case formulation, diagnoses, and recommendations for treatment.

IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION:

8. Identify the type/modality of psychotherapeutic services that is appropriate in light of the client’s level of adaptive functioning and the nature of the clinical symptoms.

9. Assess the client's need for auxiliary treatment services not offered within the program and make appropriate referrals when necessary.

10. Provide individual psychotherapy services to clients using a variety of therapeutic modalities geared toward the specific client population served; treatment input is provided for the purpose of overcoming intellectual, social/emotional, and behavioural challenges as well as reducing the severity of acute psychiatric symptoms.

11. Organize and facilitate group therapeutic approaches when indicated, including psychoeducational group programs and process-oriented group therapy.

12. Work to identify, in conjunction with the client, specific therapeutic goals in order to facilitate improvements in psychological functioning ( reduction of symptoms, increase coping/stress tolerance) emphasizing client empowerment in the process of change.

13. Evaluate the outcome of treatment interventions at regular intervals through client feedback, subjective impressions, and specific outcome measures, which may include scores on standardized tests or behavioural indicators.

14. Provide feedback to client, family and the treatment team on clinical outcomes indicated.

15. Serve as a resource for all members of the multidisciplinary team through clinical consultation on a wide range of psychological issues pertinent to clinical assessments, psychological assessments and treatment, and behavioral management.

16. Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of therapy programs in conjunction with other members of the treatment team.

17. Develop, implement and/or direct behavioral management strategies, including appropriate education for family members/caregivers.

18. Maintain adequate records of therapeutic interventions including appropriate documentation of therapy progress on the client’s file, in accordance with accepted standards of professional practice.

CONSULTATION:

19. Provide clinical case consultation on a wide range of psychological issues pertinent to psychological assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and behavioural management with discipline-based colleagues and other program staff. Such consultation occurs in scheduled conferences and reviews, and unscheduled daily contact for the purpose of treatment planning and evaluation of client progress.

20. Provide consultation and liaison with community professionals, caregivers, representatives of community agencies, and significant others on a case-by-case and general program basis; as an adjunct to such consultation, incumbent develops and maintains awareness of the implications of treatment provided by other disciplines.

21. Serve as a resource for all members of the multidisciplinary treatment team and other health care providers in Prairie Mountain Health; provides specialist consultation to other psychologists and mental health professionals regarding areas of expertise.

RESEARCH:

22. Participate in research opportunities as pertinent to the activities of the program. As time permits, incumbent may plan and implement applied research programs, such research related to clinical initiatives of the program.

23. Contribute to basic research in Mental Health and Clinical Psychology when feasible within the parameters of providing psychological services.

24. Promote evidence-based practices by planning and directing program evaluation research as required for the improvement of clinical services of the program.

25. Organize and present results of research activities at conferences or in-services as required.

26. Participate in quality improvement initiatives in the area of mental health, including design of questionnaires and analysis of results of quality assurance data.

EDUCATION/SUPERVISION:

27. Provide clinical supervision for psychology graduate students and allied health professional students as required.

28. Provide information on wide range of topics related to mental health for the promotion of mental health through education, teaching materials and public relations activities for clients, family, care providers, facilities, student, community groups and organizations.

29. Provide in-service workshops, lectures, and training regarding pertinent mental health issues for program staff, patients, families and other community agencies as requested.

30. Participate in the orientation and ongoing development of program staff, volunteers and students from a variety of health disciplines.

PROGRAM RELATED ACTIVITIES:

31. Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of therapy programs in conjunction with other members of the treatment team.

32. Participate in the evaluation of own performance on an ongoing basis, and in the performance review process.

33. Recognize legal issues in relation to the treatment of clients, in particular the provision of the Mental Health Act and other legislation relevant to the activities of the program.

34. Other duties as assigned.