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 Psychologist is in charge of psychological services provided to a section of the facility/program for the designated scope of practice area. Working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team, completes psychological assessments, provides psychological treatment, evaluates the effectiveness and appropriateness of treatment and facilitates education of clients. Maintains client records including the documentation of client diagnosis and most effective form of treatment and prepares progress notes and psychological reports. Liaises with external agencies and establishes and maintains effective working relationships with stakeholders.  Attends clinical/case conferences. Provides formal and informal consultations, participates in quality improvement and risk management activities, provides clinical teaching and supervision to Residents and students and conducts and participates in research.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Completes psychological assessments of clients, utilizing standardized and evidence- based interview and assessment procedures, including cognitive, social/emotional/personality, and behavioural assessments. Within a bio/psycho/social treatment model and working as part of an interdisciplinary team, incorporates psychological assessment results with the broader treatment plan.
2. Provides psychological treatment and facilitates the education of referred clients by developing a treatment plan incorporating evidence based therapies and including the integration of cognitive behaviour therapy, supportive psychotherapy and individual short-term therapy/counseling interventions to clients and group therapy to enhance mental, physical, emotional and interpersonal functions.
3. Assesses client’s progress, providing support to client, family members/care givers and facilitating the process of cognitive, emotional and behavioural changes according to the plan of treatment. Designs, implements, monitors and evaluates cognitive and/or behaviour therapy programs and assist clients to mitigate dysfunctional behavior, with more constructive/adaptive coping strategies, for referred clients as required. Organizes and leads group behaviour rehearsal/psychotherapy sessions.
4. Promotes the development of psychological services within the hospital/program by performing duties such as planning, organizing, providing and participating in inter-disciplinary and intra-disciplinary professional development programs.
5. Provides formal and informal consultation to interdisciplinary team members, staff/community psychologists, other health care facilities and students by reviewing client/family needs or a specific client’s progress, problem solving and providing guidance/knowledge in the management of a client or client group and information regarding the appropriate usage of psychology assessment and testing tools to facilitate a conducive learning environment and ongoing staff development.
6. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with stakeholders and external agencies. Organizes treatment plans and participates in case management to ensure continuity of care of clients. Follows up with outside agencies including education institutions, health care facilities and related agencies.
7. Initiates and participates in relevant research by identifying research topics and collaborating on approved research activities. Sources funds from external and internal stakeholders, identifies current trends/gaps in the literature, conducts research and disseminates, presents and publishes findings.  Ensures clinical practices and protocols are consistent with current research findings.
8. Maintains electronic and paper client records by documenting assessment findings, treatment plan, client participation in the program as well as treatment progress outcomes and discharge plans.  Charts client information and psychological findings and prepares progress notes and psychological reports in accordance with established standards, policies and procedures to meet regulatory requirements.  Documents for future reference.
9. Evaluates effectiveness and appropriateness of treatment and resources by analyzing learning outcomes, assessing client functioning, identifying opportunities for change and formulating recommendations for quality improvement to ensure optimal outcomes are met.
10. Provides clinical teaching and supervision to Psychology Residents, Post Doctoral Fellows, Addiction Medicine Fellows and Psychiatry Residents from a psychological perspective by planning and client assignment, monitoring clinical teaching and skill development and providing evaluations to appropriate individuals to facilitate a conducive learning environment and professional expertise.  
11. Initiates and/or participates in psychology services, corporate quality improvement and risk management activities by completing treatment outcome evaluations, evaluating the effect of changes in client care practice and recommending alternative approaches and the development of, or changes to, selected policies, procedures or protocols to ensure that services are provided in the most efficient and effective way.  Participates with internal and external agencies in the development of local and national strategies for program coordination, program/service evaluation, quality improvement and research.
12. Maintains a variety of records such as workload statistics by gathering information, recording information into approved formats, monitoring information systems, analyzing trends, accounting for variances, summarizing information, recommending an action plan and forwarding to the Program Director for review.
13. Attends mental health/clinical/case conferences, team meetings or interdisciplinary rounds as a member of an interdisciplinary team for client reviews, admissions and discharges.  Participates in ongoing program evaluation by providing input from a psychology perspective on a variety of care issues related to client and program effectiveness to ensure proper and effective treatment of clients.
14. Maintains knowledge of current developments in Psychology Services, specifically as it relates to population base of current practice and the standards of practice of psychology by reviewing literature, consulting with clinical and community experts, evaluating clinical practice and referral systems and attending professional development activities in conjunction with the Program Director, to meet organizational and regulatory requirements of PHSA and the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Recommends new practices and contributes to improvement in care.
15. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.  Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from a recognized university.
• Two (2) years recent related experience in therapeutic, diagnostic and consultation services in the designated scope of practice areas of mental health & addiction services such as experience working with individuals with mental health issues, substance misuse, anxiety and mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.  
• Current licensure as a Psychologist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of psychological assessment, including semi-structured diagnostic assessment.
• Knowledge of therapeutic, diagnostic and consultation techniques.
• Knowledge of treatment, assessment and management of anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and psychological trauma.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Knowledge of psychopharmacology (indications and side-effects) and substance abuse and addictions issues and treatment
• Knowledge of adult education principles, methods and tools.
• Knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Knowledge of evidence-based psychological practice.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member, leader and facilitator.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with clients, families, team members, other groups and community agency personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and supervise.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve and to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.