Brisbane Youth Service

Since 1977, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) has worked to create new futures for vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness aged 12-25 years and their children.

Due to recent growth within the BYS, we have a new for a Senior Psychologist role available. This position supports recovery processes through the provision of clinical assessments, one-to-one counselling, small group work, case conferencing, and supervision of provisional psychologists and counsellors.

Employment Type & Hours

• Full-time or Part-time | up to 76 hours per fortnight
• Conditions
• Level 4 - Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020
• Generous salary packaging benefits with flexible work arrangements available
• 5.5 weeks annual leave per annum [pro-rata]
• Great team culture – incl. national Voice Project's 2022 Best Workplace Winner!

Selection Criteria

1. Understanding of and commitment to BYS vision, values, objectives and practice framework
2. Ability to work in alignment with the BYS Practice Framework including a commitment to harm reduction, women’s rights and social justice
3. Self-reflective and critical thinking skills
4. Strong organisational and planning skills and the demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritise and manage competing demands
5. Understanding of individual, social and environmental issues affecting young people who experience mental health issues; and are homeless or at risk of homelessness
6. Detailed understanding of effective interventions for vulnerable young people, including underlying principles of interventions

Education, Qualifications, Requirements [Mandatory]

• A tertiary qualification in Psychology or comparable qualification
• Full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia [AHPRA]
• Registration with Psychology Board of Australia to provide Board approved supervision (STAP)
• Current Queensland driver’s license
• National Police Check clearance
• Evidence of vaccination, immunity, or medical exemption for the following preventable diseases prior to commencement: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella [Chicken Pox]; Pertussis [Whooping Cough]; Hepatitis B; and COVID-19
• Two relevant references, including most recent manager, if relevant

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years post graduate practice and experience providing supervision to provisional Psychologists and Mental Health Counsellors
• Demonstrated ability to manage and collaborate on complex caseloads, meet timeframes and deliver measurable outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain networks and partnerships that produce improved service outcomes
• Ability to present to groups, run education workshops and facilitate meetings
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team through collaboration and capacity building
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, computer proficiency and report writing skills

Personal Attributes

• An ability to lead, direct, motivate and contribute in a positive way to the health of an organisation
• Personal drive and integrity and ability to stay calm under pressure
• Consultative and collaborative working attitude
• Flexible, initiative, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, ethical, accountable
• Commitment to a learning culture and ongoing professional development

Leadership

• Identify, manage, mitigate and monitor operational risks in service delivery and actively use risk management systems to ensure the safety of staff, young people and the community
• Demonstrate leadership qualities such as ability to mentor, support and guide; provide debriefing [including incident debriefing] to colleagues, as required, and model the BYS core values of Respect, Optimism, Accountability and Resilience
• Plan and support team induction processes including practice mentoring and shadowing opportunities for new team members
• Implement and monitor relevant service standards to ensure quality service provision and professional practice improvement
• Maintain and develop strategic and collaborative relationships with internal and external service providers and other key stakeholders

Service Delivery

• Co-ordinate, provide and contribute to the development of psychological services and programs at BYS
• Utilise advanced practice skills to undertake psychological testing and assessments covering a broad range of presentations
• Provide psychological support to young people including group and one-to-one counselling sessions
• Design and review individual support plans for young people
• Develop content and deliver group therapy and/or education sessions in recovery-based topics [e.g., sustaining change] and clinical topics [e.g., ACT, CBT, DBT or anger management]
• Provide clinical advice and support to managers and staff including case conferencing and collaboration, liaising with referrers, multi-disciplinary team staff, relatives, and other services as required
• Participate in clinical oversight of the BYS Priority Client List
• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships and referral pathways to increase young people’s access to mental health services and AOD treatment
• Maintain current knowledge of issues affecting homeless and at-risk young people, particularly regarding drug use and unmet mental health needs
• Participate in relevant networks and inter-agencies forums
• Recruit provisional psychologists, mental health practitioners and counsellors, and provide supervision to these workers in line with BYS policy and procedure

People, Culture, Safety

• Model and drive a culture of respect, optimism, accountability and resilience in line with organisational values
• Participate in regular supervision to monitor service delivery and evaluation and collaborate on high-risk planned support and self-care initiatives
• Participate as a collaborative and supportive team member, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the team and outcomes for young people
• Create a trusting, cohesive environment where people can express opinions and those opinions are heard
• Model ethical behaviours in line with the BYS Code of Conduct and consistently apply ethical standards to self and others
• Participate in quality practice reviews, all-staff days, organisational planning and identify and participate in training and professional development opportunities
• Protect and promote the rights of children and young people, including making decisions compatible with the Human Rights Act 2019; and responding to and reporting suspicions and disclosures of abuse or harm
• Ensure a healthy and safe workplace for all by adhering to BYS Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy, Procedures and Practices
• Actively participate to deliver the BYS Reconciliation Action Plan [RAP] initiatives and measurable actions that support First Nations equality across our organisation and services

Administration

• Undertake all administrative and financial functions relating to the role and ensure accurate and timely records are created and maintained in accordance with relevant legislation and BYS policies
• Ensure the timely, consistent and accurate completion of client data records, including planned support and reviews, intake and outcomes assessment data, to contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting on program performance and outcomes
• Submit timesheets and leave requests accurately and on time on a fortnightly basis, in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policy and procedure
• Collect and maintain accurate, timely client data and contribute to program-specific and organisation-wide monitoring, evaluation and learning activities
• Undertake any other duties or tasks as required

Don’t meet all the Criteria?

At BYS, we actively promote diversity and inclusion and provide a supportive team environment for everyone. We do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability or marital status.
Research shows that women and people from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are less likely to apply for a position until they meet 100% of the criteria. So if you don’t have all the qualifications or experience required for the role, please consider applying for a position with us anyway. We encourage applications from minorities and are committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the young people that we support.

• 30% of the young people we support are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Almost 1 in 4 identify as LGBTIQAP+
• 11% are culturally and linguistically diverse

Interviews may take place progressively for successfully shortlisted applicants.

Please visit our website for more information about working with BYS: https://brisyouth.org/.

We look forward to hearing from you!