The prison disability support initiative (PDSI) is a state-wide rehabilitation service that assists people in custody with cognitive impairments and complex disability needs.

The PDSI aims to:

• Identify people in custody with non-physical disabilities.
• Assess disability needs to inform decisions on placement, case management and rehabilitation.
• Educate corrections staff on how to better understand and support the people in their care.
• Link individuals with appropriate disability support services.

What you will do

As a PDSI Clinician, you will support people in Victorian prisons who may have cognitive or physical impairments, such as an acquired brain injury, dementia or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Unlike forensic intervention service (FIS) clinicians, your work won't focus explicitly on a person's offending. Instead, you will help with better understanding a person's disability needs and better support them in the custodial environment.

You will:

• Develop support plans for people with disabilities to help improve daily functioning and personal relationships.
• Provide advice to prison staff and support teams on how to best care for the individuals in your caseload.
• Keep accurate clinical records and ensure all work follows professional and legal guidelines.
• Participate in training and team development to improve services.

Why work with us

There are many advantages of working as a clinician with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, including:

• A fair salary – enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options
• Your professional association membership or registration funded annually (e.g. PBA/AHPRA, AASW)
• Individual and group supervision, as well as any additional supervision required as part of professional registration requirements.
• Transparent performance framework – approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you are experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues.

Preferred experience

To thrive in this role, a background in supporting individuals with disabilities will be valuable.

You will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

• Registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Provisional psychologists may be considered.
• Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• Credentialed as a mental health nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses.
• Registered as an occupational therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.