Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Professional Practice Leader, Psychology is responsible for the delivery of professional, clinical and academic services and discipline related day-to-day operations, including staffing, orientation and supervision, within Psychology at BC Children’s Hospital and and BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. The Professional Practice Leader provides professional practice leadership, participates in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of clinical services, and provides input into human resource and financial resource management.

The role provides leadership for professional standards, advanced clinical practice, evidence-based practice, and interprofessional collaborative practice. Collaborates with Operational/Program Leaders to continuously improve decision-making processes surrounding care delivery, clinical competencies, clinical practice, and standards of care in collaboration to further the discipline’s role and scope both within the organization and provincially.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Leads and is accountable for the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and decision support tools supporting safe, integrated, evidenced based practice to meet related accreditation standards and Health legislation.

2.    Oversees, monitors and directs the work of others including the accountability for the scheduling, assignment, monitoring, and evaluation of resources.  Collaborates with operational leaders to make adjustments as required. Supervise or assigns supervision for QNR psychologists according to the College of Health and Care Professionals standards for psychologists. Mentors staff to support skill development, clinical judgement and professional growth.

3.    Oversees the Psychology Director of Training and the Psychology Training Program (practicum students, residents and postdoctoral fellows) and ensures that the administrative framework, policies and procedures, and CPA accreditations standards are met.

4.    Partners with Operational/Program Leaders, staff psychologists and key partners for the planning and coordination of service delivery, including the development of practice guidelines, goals, objectives and Interprofessional clinical pathways using evidence-based practice.  

5.    Collaborates with Operational/Program leader to clarify job expectations for staff; and ensure staff work is performed to assigned scope of practice. Monitors and provides performance feedback; resolves conflict; identifies and recommends training and/or skill enhancement and/or discipline. Ensures professional standards, registration requirements, the code of ethics for Psychologists, and site/program specific practice guidelines are understood, monitored and maintained.  

6.    Facilitates and supports the development of educational in-services/presentations as well as research opportunities. Acts as a clinical resource to staff and clients.

7.    Works with the Operational/Program Leader and provides input into the selection of staff by participating in interviews applicants and making recommendations for selection to Operational/Program Leaders. Orients new employees.

8.    Represents Psychology at program and interdisciplinary meetings and on committees.

9.    Facilitates and participates in the development of the quality improvement and risk management programs through upgrading and maintaining policies, procedures and clinical guidelines in collaboration with Director of Professional Practice and the Operational/Program Leaders. Identifies clinical and professional process improvement opportunities and recommends solutions. Supports the implementation of changed or new service delivery models.

10.    Leads and coordinates the Critical Incident Stress Management team, including orienting and training staff to deliver crisis response and staff support. Acts as a resource for staff well-being following critical incidents, liaising with leadership and the Psychological Health and Safety team.

11.    Performs direct clinical care in assigned areas and coordinates care with other disciplines.  Maintains patient care records and statistics. Provides consultation regarding psychology to key partners as required.

12.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

•    Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specialization in child clinical psychology and/or child clinical neuropsychology approved by the Canadian/American Psychology Association or equivalent.  
•    Six (6) years’ recent related experience working in child health and/or child development and rehabilitation, including two (2) years supervisory experience in clinical psychology including therapeutic, diagnostic and consultation service, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
•    Current full registration in a practicing category with the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC) as a Psychologist.

Skills and Abilities

•    Comprehensive knowledge of Child Clinical Psychology and/or Child Clinical Neuropsychology theory and practice, including therapeutic, diagnostic assessment methods and tools, and consultation techniques.
•    Demonstrated ability to provide clinical and professional supervision, facilitation, consultation, leadership, training and work direction.
•    Comprehensive knowledge of the standards of practice and regulations for Psychology as established by the CHCPBC.
•    Working knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
•    Demonstrated ability to set priorities, organize work and meet deadlines.
•    Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
•    Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, to problem solve, and to deal effectively with conflict situations.
•    Demonstrated ability to evaluate clinical programs through utilization data and statistical analysis.
•    Working knowledge of research process and methodology.
•    Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
•    Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with co-workers, physicians, other health care professionals, patients and their families, and external agencies.
•    Demonstrated ability to develop project plans and implement new projects.
•    Demonstrated ability to develop education programs and materials.
•    Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.
•    Ability to travel locally and provincially.
•    Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.