Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide psychological assessment, treatment, consultation and research/evaluation services within a multidisciplinary case management framework for male youth at the Roy McMurtry Youth Centre.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the professional supervision of the Manager of Psychological Services and direct supervision of the Youth Centre Deputy Administrator, the incumbent is responsible for: • Administering, evaluating and interpreting a range of psychological assessments and tests; providing clinical diagnosis; assessing youth risk level, susceptibility for self-harm, potential danger to others; and making recommendations for addressing identified issues; • Planning, conducting and/or facilitating individual, group and family therapies including crisis intervention; • Providing psychological consultation, formulating and communicating psychological recommendations within a multidisciplinary case management model and participating in multi-disciplinary team meetings with facility staff to develop case management plans. • Designing, monitoring and conducting research projects and evaluations of treatment programs, making revisions where appropriate; • Preparing a variety of evaluative reports as required; • Assisting in facility staff training as required; • Assisting in the professional supervision of university placement students; • Participating in and attending meetings and committees as required.

Staffing and Licencing :

PhD in Psychology from a university of recognized standing and registration as a Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of Ontario or eligible to be on the temporary registrar with the College of Psychologists in Ontario.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of theory and practices of psychology, current rehabilitative and treatment techniques, practices and theories applicable to youth to provide assessment, treatment, consultation and research/evaluative services. Knowledge of psychological assessment tools/techniques and their application to a youth population; application and interpretation of assessment instruments to evaluate intellectual functioning/impairment, personality functioning, risk to re-offend; make diagnoses; recommend appropriate treatment interventions Knowledge of Professional standards of practice and relevant legislation (e.g., consent to treatment, care and retention of records, Health Disciplines Act, Mental Health Act, YCJA, CFSA, privacy legislation, limits to privacy/confidentiality) Knowledge of program evaluation and research techniques in order to evaluate program effectiveness and develop and conduct research projects. Knowledge of computer programs in order to oversee the administration and scoring of psychological tests, write formal assessment reports and correspondence, conduct research and analyze data.

Skills :

Job requires analytical skills to determine most appropriate diagnostic approaches; to provide diagnostic assessments based on the interpretation of tests, interviews and other methods; to formulate treatment and rehabilitation plans/programs in a multidisciplinary setting,; to evaluate treatment and rehabilitative activities or programs, and identify revisions/effective solutions; and to develop and participate in research projects. Job requires problem-solving skills to provide therapy and crisis intervention services to youth. Job requires oral and written communication skills to communicate information regarding psychological assessment approaches/findings and treatment/rehabilitative activities to Coordinator of Psychological Services, facility/Ministry staff, courts, health care professionals in other disciplines, community agencies, youth, their families and advocates; to express technical information in layman terms to youth, to express complex findings and ideas in clear terms when communicating to staff, external resources and youth; to conduct therapy/counseling sessions; and to participate in staff training, meetings and committees. Job requires interpersonal skills to maintain strong working relationships with staff and community agencies and to assist in supervision of placement students; to use discretion and sensitivity in discussing diagnosis, treatment and progress with youth; in discussing options/problems with youth in crisis; to have youth accept treatment, to provide therapy and encourage youth acceptance of psychological services in the community. Job requires computer skills to operate Windows applications/software including; word processing, databases, email and the internet, to communicate, input/retrieve data, prepare reports, evaluate psychological tests and maintain case documentation and statistics.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working in accordance with ministry/facility policies/guidelines/operational plans, legislation and the professional standards governing the practice of psychology. Job requires carrying out clinical responsibilities in collaboration with multi-disciplinary team. Job requires planning, and conducting the psychological diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitative approaches which best serve the needs of assigned youth, within the multidisciplinary team in consultation with the Coordinator of Psychological Services, and within facility policies and procedures. Job requires referring unusual problems to the Coordinator of Psychological Services.