identification - fin.gov.nt.ca · the psychologist provides direct clinical assessment and...

September 27, 2017 GNWT Job Description of 8

IDENTIFICATION

Department

Position Title

Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority

Psychologist

Position Number(s)

Community

Division/Region(s)

57-4048 Yellowknife Mental Health & Addiction

Services/Yellowknife

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The purpose of this position is to provide community based mental health and other psychological services. The Psychologist provides direct clinical assessment and treatment services for individuals or groups to promote optimum mental health. These services include evaluation, diagnosis, case management, and therapeutic intervention. The Psychologist is a member of the Mental Health & Addiction Services Team and provides a variety of services to community-based clientele including: assessment, treatment and diagnostic evaluation, psychotherapy and consultation to the full range of professionals, agencies and general public. The overall end result of these responsibilities is healthier people living in healthier communities, assuming greater responsibility for their own health and well-being. SCOPE

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is the single provider of all health and social services in the Northwest Territories (NWT), with the exception of H approximately 43,000 people, including First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and non-aboriginals. Health and social services includes the full range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services and social services including family services, protection services, care placements, mental health, addictions, and developmental activities, delivered by more than 1,400 health and social services staff. rvices Agency (TCSA) will operate under a separate board and Hay River Health and Social Services Agency (HRHSSA) will in the interim, the NTHSSA will set clinical standards, procedures, guidelines and monitoring for the entire Northwest


Territories. Service Agreements will be established with these boards to identify performance requirements and adherence to clinical standards, procedures, guidelines and policies as established by the NTHSSA. Under the direction of the Minister of Health and Social Services, the NTHSSA is established to w p f ’ f strategy. The Psychologist reports and is accountable to the Regional Manager, Mental Health & Addiction Services. This position impacts clients suffering with DSM-V diagnoses such as Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, personal crisis (such as divorce or the death of a loved one), childhood sexual abuse and other emotional disturbances. The Psychologist works in collaboration with medical professionals, social workers, mental health workers, alcohol and drug workers, police and other specialists or agencies to develop and implement treatment and intervention programs for common clients. Clients include adult individuals, families, groups and agencies (NGO's) from the communities of Yellowknife, Dettah, N'Dilo and Behchoko. The practice of psychology is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental and psychological disorders, dysfunctions and conditions, and the assessment, treatment and enhancement of behavioral, emotional and interpersonal functioning by the application and use of psychometric testing, psychological assessment, and the treatment and management of clinical and non-clinical conditions. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responsible for direct mental health services (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and case conferences). Completes assessments and evaluations of clients with emotional and behavioral

adjustments including developmental, family, social, medical and educational history as well as current clinical status;

Administers and interprets psychological tests, conducts psychological assessments, and diagnoses mental illness;

Conducts behavior analysis and implements and monitors applied behavior management/analysis/engineering programs and provides treatment recommendations, as per consultation;

Prepares reports of psychological tests or theory, interview clients, develops intervention and treatment recommendations;

Formulates hypotheses and collects data to test validity; Gathers information by administering personality, interests and aptitudes tests as

well as intelligence tests. Other methods include observation, interviews, questionnaires and screening inventories, clinical studies and surveys;

Provides individual, couple, and family counseling including a comprehensive intake and diagnostic assessment for clients requesting help with personal and


family problems when necessary; Provides assistance and consultation to mental health practitioners and clinicians

as it relates to psychological assessments and treatment interventions; Provides clinical supervision to interns in Psychology as per the Psychologist Act

of the GNWT; Plans, develops and recommends community based services in accordance with

identified community needs, including chronic disease management issues related to mental health issues (i.e. diabetes, heart disease, obesity, addictions);

Collaborates in group work as client needs for group support are identified; Consults with and recommends program professional services that are culturally

and geographically sensitive and relevant; Consults with other government departments, community individuals, groups,

boards and agencies in relation to identifying specific concerns and needs; Organizes clinical case conferences involving other caregivers when deemed

appropriate; Debrief individuals who have experienced trauma as per CISD models of

intervention.

2. Provides educational and consultation services to peers, organizations and professional volunteer bodies in related field of mental health by: Holding in-services (educational workshops as requested); Maintaining philosophy and goals of the NTHSSA and interpreting and clarifying

the Mental Health Act to community health members. Conferences and provides consultation services on cases that are particularly

complex; as requested.

3. Select, administer, score and interpret psychometric tests for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment planning by: Conducting interviews with clients and primary respondent(s) in order to obtain

background information and collateral/corroborative data. Tests administered can be psychological, achievement, neuropsychological, intelligence or personality (projective and non-projective) in nature;

Meeting the client post-evaluation to debrief the testing results; Working with the staff of the Yellowknife Region community Mental Health Clinic

and Addiction Services in providing testing when deemed appropriate by the incumbent;

Providing a written report summarizing and interpreting the results of the psychometric tests administered that will be used to inform placement and treatment decisions.

4. Maintain administrative responsibilities to ensure proper utilization of

resources are consistent with professional code of ethics, best practice, policy and governmental legislation. Maintain client files and case notes in a safe, accurate and up to date manner; Maintain statistical data;


Is responsible for the preservation/maintenance of the integrity of psychometric measurement tools purchased by the NTHSSA-Yellowknife Region;

Consults with community agencies, aboriginal groups, and government agencies on specific community mental health concerns, in order to identify objectives and priorities and long term plans for mental health programs;

Participates in the development of healthy public policies, which create supportive environments for clients with mental health needs;

Plans, develops and/or adopts programs to suit the needs of the communities in order to stimulate public awareness of mental health concerns and to provide guidance to community groups and agencies in the area of promotion.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

Back and neck pain from sitting at a computer and telephone and during counseling sessions. Intensity is moderated because incumbent is able to take short breaks, and move about the office at own discretion. Environmental Conditions

Working with clients in close proximity daily. Intensity is moderate as the incumbent sometimes works with dangerous, unpredictable clients, many with psychotic histories. Sensory Demands

Language barriers, poor reading and writing skills, cognitive and mental impairments in clients. Highly focused listening and observation of peers, representatives of the community groups and agencies, and clients during interviewing/counseling negotiations, conflict resolution and discipline situations. Intensity is high when situations become emotional or irrational in interpersonal conflict/complaint/discipline situations, intense contract negotiation, and when differences in first languages used by the participants make comprehension difficult. Mental Demands

Exposure to clients with complex needs and emotionally disturbing experiences and trauma for approximately 2-4 hours per day at a high intensity. Subject to vicarious trauma due to clinical work involving highly traumatized clients. Potential of aggressive, intoxicated, abusive and volatile clients for minutes to 1 hour per day with low or high intensity.


KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Current psychological theory, trends, practices, acts (including Psychologist Act, Mental Health, Addictions, Guardianship, Child and Family Services and Public Health) and regulations;

Principles of psychological clinical program planning, design and implementation and evaluation methodology;

Assessment, counseling, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in mental health and clients with a DSM-5 diagnosis;

Alcohol and drug abuse theories on prevention, intervention, treatment and after-care; Practice a trauma-informed approach when providing family violence and sexual abuse

intervention and treatment; Group and family dynamics; Youth and adolescent developmental and related theories; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Excellent work ethics; Knowledge/training in several of the following areas: psychometric testing, psychiatric

patients, case management and counseling, medication therapy, sexual abuse treatment, addictions treatment, family violence and family therapy, trauma recovery;

Assessment, case planning and conceptualization, and treatment; Good and sound theoretical understanding of and the ability to assess and evaluate

human behaviors; A solid knowledge of psychometric testing materials for adults; Prepares clinical psychological reports; Provides therapeutic interventions; Facilitates individual and group activities/workshops; Facilitates workshops; Crisis intervention; Conflict resolution; Diagnose mental illness and be familiar with the DSM-V; Develop and deliver behavioral management programs for adults clients; Computer literacy; Work in a team environment; Excellent interpersonal skills; Interact effectively with people of all ages and backgrounds in stressful and emergent

situations; Understand how community and culture impact on the delivery of mental health care; Cultural sensitivity; Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with NTHSSA personnel, local public

and private health care providers, social, mental health and health agencies; Remain diplomatic and non-judgmental in emotional and sensitive situations; Work with minimal supervision; Apply analytical thinking; Demonstrate sound clinical judgment and ethics;


Excellent counseling/psychotherapy skills; Good assessment and referral skills.

Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by:

Must be eligible for registration as a Psychologist in the Northwest Territories and have at least two years related experience; Must possess a current Class 5 driver's license in order to provide home visits to clients when required; On account of the vulnerable populations being served, the position requires a satisfactory criminal record check. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

NTHSSA-Yellowknife Regional Requirements In accordance with the NWT Psychologist Act, the following requirements are mandatory for this position:

Must be eligible for registration as a Psychologist in the Northwest Territories and have at least two years related experience;

Must possess a current Class 5 driver's license in order to provide home visits to clients when required;

On account of the vulnerable populations being served, the position requires a satisfactory criminal record check.

Position Security (check one)

☐ No criminal records check required

☐ Position of Trust – criminal records check required

☒ Highly sensitive position – requires verification of identity and a criminal records check

French language (check one if applicable)

☐ French required (must identify required level below) Level required for this Designated Position is:

ORAL EXPRESSION AND COMPREHENSION Basic (B) ☐ Intermediate (I) ☐ Advanced (A) ☐

READING COMPREHENSION: Basic (B) ☐ Intermediate (I) ☐ Advanced (A) ☐

WRITING SKILLS: Basic (B) ☐ Intermediate (I) ☐ Advanced (A) ☐

☐ French preferred


Aboriginal language: To choose a language, click here.

☐ Required

☐ Preferred

identification - fin.gov.nt.ca · the psychologist provides direct clinical assessment and...

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