Help transform how psychological care is delivered to children and young people following acute trauma.

Influence clinical practice, build the capability of health professionals and contribute to the development of a contemporary, integrated and trauma-informed model of paediatric trauma care.

Vacancy Reference No. 748214

This is a Permanent Part Time appointment at 45.6 hours (0.6 FTE) per fortnight.

Applicants assessed as suitable through this process will be considered for other vacancies within the team (within the next 12 months).

Demonstrated knowledge and skill application capability for working with acute traumatic stress presentations is required for this role.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Clinical Psychologist to join the Department of Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology (DCPN) at Perth Children’s Hospital and contribute to the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care within a multidisciplinary team – the State Paediatric Trauma Service.

This is a unique opportunity to join a newly established service and provide specialist psychological care to children, adolescents and families experiencing complex psychological and mental health needs associated with acute and chronic medical conditions and traumatic injury.

As a Senior Clinical Psychologist, you will play a key role in ensuring the psychological impact of acute trauma is recognised and addressed early. You will contribute to comprehensive assessment and care planning, family meetings and case discussions as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team.

You will help shape the delivery of integrated, holistic and coordinated care that responds to the complex needs of patients and families, with a strong focus on supporting physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.

You will also provide senior clinical consultation to medical and surgical specialists and other health professionals, contributing your expertise to complex clinical presentations and supporting the broader multidisciplinary team in responding to the psychological needs of children and families affected by trauma.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across the Trauma Service and PCH.
• Providing expert consultation to health professionals and services on complex psychological presentations in the context of medical treatment and trauma.
• Providing high-level clinical supervision to clinical psychologists and other health professionals.
• Developing and delivering specialist education and training programs.
• Contributing to the development of clinical protocols, assessment processes and innovative models of psychological care.
• Leading or contributing to research, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
• Supporting the continued development of integrated, trauma-informed psychological care across the paediatric trauma pathway.

About you

If you are an experienced Clinical Psychologist who brings advanced clinical expertise, sound professional judgement and the ability to work independently in complex and changing environments, we encourage you to apply.

Experience providing psychological services within a hospital or paediatric setting, particularly where psychological care is integrated with complex medical treatment, will be highly regarded.

Please note a Master or Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and eligibility for full registration and endorsement in Clinical Psychology with the Psychology Board of Australia is a requirement for this role.

Prior health sector experience is preferred but not required.

About the State Paediatric Trauma Service at Perth Children’s Hospital

Perth Children’s Hospital’s State Paediatric Trauma Service is being established to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary and trauma-informed approach to the care of children and young people following serious traumatic events.

Trauma can have a profound impact on children and their families, extending well beyond physical injury. Our Service is designed to ensure children and families receive seamless physical, emotional and psychological care from the moment of trauma through treatment, discharge and recovery.

A key focus of the Service is the early identification and proactive response to the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of trauma. By integrating psychological care into the trauma pathway, the Service will support children and families throughout their hospital journey and into recovery, strengthening continuity of care and helping ensure that no aspect of a child's recovery is overlooked.

The Service will also support the workforce caring for children following trauma. Trauma presentations can be complex and emotionally demanding for clinical staff. Through education, specialist guidance and simulation training, the Service will build workforce capability, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration and ensure staff are well prepared to respond effectively to serious trauma and disaster events.

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to apply online (www.jobs.health.wa.gov.au). Please note, applicants must have a current, valid email address in order to apply online. This email address will be used for communication with applicants.  

Your ability to meet the work-related requirements will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.

For your written application please provide the following:

• A current resume which summarises your experience and how you are able to meet the position requirements.
• Respond to the essential selection criteria 1, 2, 3 and 7 listed in the attached job description. Please keep your responses to 2 – 3 pages maximum. (View the applicant information package and Job Description Form (JDF) attached for more information, including the selection criteria). 

  (Please note that examples of how you have applied your skills, knowledge and experience help to demonstrate that you have met the selection criteria).

• The name, email and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide a confidential report (we will contact you and seek your confirmation prior to contacting your listed referees).

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

Within the application system you will be presented with the following two questions related to suitability criteria. These questions allow you to showcase your relevant skills and experiences in detail, up to 500 words for your response. 

1. Do you have demonstrated knowledge and the capability to apply relevant skill when working with acute traumatic stress presentations? (Yes / No) 

1. Provide an example of a complex case such you have managed that demonstrates your capability to apply relevant knowledge and skills when working with acute traumatic stress presentations.

Within your response, outline the clinical considerations, assessment and intervention approaches you applied, and the outcomes achieved.

Your response to this question will be assessed against EC4, 5 and 6 from the Job Description Form and the suitability criteria.

*Suitability Criteria: Suitability recognises that there is a range of factors - along with having the skills, knowledge and abilities - that constitute merit. These factors included a person's eligibility, ability to demonstrate the right behaviours, ethical alignment and cultural fit. In addition to the Essential Criteria and Desirable Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form, these requirements will also be considered to determine your suitability for the role.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form.

For Further Job-Related Information: We encourage you to contact  Dr Carol Keane (Head of Department Psychology and Neuropsychology) at carol.keane@health.wa.gov.au or 0417 804 929 with any specific queries regarding this position.

Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

Eligibility: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have a valid working visa (for fixed term appointments) or be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia (for permanent appointments).

Sponsorship is not currently available for this position.

Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal record screening and integrity checking, you may also be required to undertake a working with children check (if required for the role) and a pre-employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. 

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout the health service. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

This position is subject to a Western Australian Working With Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

About CAHS

The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State’s only dedicated health service for infants, children, and young people. CAHS comprises three service areas: Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology, Community Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

With over 7000 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area.

For further information about the benefits of working for CAHS, please click here and for further information regarding CAHS’ services, please click here

CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert.

Support for your interview process

CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview.

You can reach the team via CAHS.talentacquisition@health.wa.gov.au or by calling 08 6456 0321. All enquiries will be treated confidentially.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted. 

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS CAN NOT BE CONSIDERED.