School Psychologist

Riverside Christian College is a rapidly growing Prep – 12 independent Christian College located in Maryborough, Queensland providing both Day School and Distance Education.

Riverside Christian College is a contemporary and innovative school, developing world-first educational initiatives for students. Our vision is to provide quality Christian education that develops character and empowers students to impact their community. 

The College is a supportive and respectful environment defined by its Christian ethos and values framework reflecting and encouraging behaviours aligned with our College values of Excellence, Teamwork, Respect, Faith and Community. To do this we strive to be leaders of excellence in Teaching and Learning, Faith Development, Community Engagement and Organisational rigour.

Riverside is seeking a Student Psychologist to work alongside the Inclusive Education Team to provide a child and adolescent psychological service in the College. This role will report to the Head of Inclusive Education and support the ongoing mental health and wellbeing of our students and families. The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience working in a similar role and possess a high level of understanding of child and school psychology.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Undertake educational and psychological assessment and diagnosis in all areas of child and adolescent development, including: 

• Psycho-educational assessment involving intellectual and ability assessment tools, clinical measurement, clinical interview and observation.
• Diagnosis requiring analysis and synthesis of multiple measures, other information and understanding of diagnostic criteria as set out in DSM-5 TR. 
• Knowledge, experience and understanding of developmental disabilities. 
• Clear understanding of normal and abnormal child and adolescent development.
• Psychological assessment of mental health issues involving clinical measures, clinical interview skills, and observation and information from other sources. 
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders and their relationship to child and adolescent development. 

Plan evidence-based interventions in collaboration with Inclusive Education, other staff, relevant professionals and parents. This may involve: 

• Communication and planning evidence-based interventions with school staff.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of diversity of the student population and school community and principles and practices for inclusion. 
• Ability to coordinate and participate in a multidisciplinary team. 
• Developing interventions to facilitate the educational services provided to students. 
• Communication and planning evidence-based interventions with parents.
• Writing reports and professional letters. 
• Liaison with external professionals and agencies. 
• Developing links with relevant community agencies. 
• Referring parents and students to professionals or agencies as needed. 
• Advocating for diverse learners. 

Collect, collate and maintain student information and records to meet legislative and system requirements to inform research and policy development, such as: 

• Keeping and maintenance of individual records, files and notes.
• Use of the school record-keeping systems, such as TASS, for confidential documentation.
• Collection, collation and maintenance of practice related data, for example caseload demographics, outcome measures. 
• Maintaining an awareness of school community issues and events which may impact on the school, and work with staff to manage such. 
• Informing the Principal, Head of Inclusive Education and senior staff regarding current referral issues and suggest strategies to manage these. 

Maintain professional competence and continued professional learning.

• Familiarity with PsyBA mandated APS Code of Ethics and Guidelines. 
• Continuing professional development. 
• Peer consultation.

Comply with:

• College policies, procedures and practices, including WHS and the Staff Code of Conduct.
• The Disability Discrimination Act (1992), Disability Standards for Education (2005), Child Protection Act, and other relevant legislative requirements.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Must be fully registered by the Psychology Board of Australia under the health Practitioner Regulation National Law, or
• Have provisional registration based upon possession of a degree with fourth or fifth year qualification in psychology and a supervision agreement accepted by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), which will enable full registration following one to three years of supervised practice as a psychologist. 
• Eligible for professional membership (APS or AAPI).
• Working with Children Check (Blue Card).
• Demonstrated experience working as a school psychologist.
• Demonstrate a high understanding of child development and school psychology.
• Knowledge and demonstrated commitment to upholding relevant laws and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, organise and maintain confidential student records.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, families and colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organise and manage a complex schedule, and the schedules of your student case load.
• Demonstrated ability to assess, report on and deliver effective intervention programs to support students consistent with relevant laws and standards.
• The ability to diagnose and report on the applicable assessments, providing strategy recommendations.

Applications close: Friday 29 December 2023

Apply Now: To submit your application, email the following to; [email protected]

Your application must include;

1. Covering Letter addressing key selection criteria as outlined in Position Description; and
2. Resume, including contact details for two professional references (one of which may be a pastoral reference from your local church)