Position: Guidance Counsellors//Psychologist (Multiple Positions)
Salary Range: $103,337 – $127,657 per annum pending experience
Tenure: Full Time, Part Time, Fixed Term
Commencing Date: January 2024
Closing Date: Monday, 4 December 2023 unless filled prior

Townsville Catholic Education supports a diverse region extending from Townsville to the Burdekin and Whitsunday regions in the South, North to Ingham and Halifax, South-West to Winton, and West to the border with the Northern Territory, encompassing Mount Isa and several small, rural western towns and east to Palm Island.

About the role

Townsville Catholic Education (TCE) is seeking (multiple) experienced and dedicated Guidance Counsellors/Psychologist.  There are various roles ranging from full time, part time, and are fixed term positions commencing January 2024.

The position of Guidance Counsellor/Psychologist will provide professional expertise, leadership and support to the school community in the development, implementation and evaluation of plans and programs to assist students in achieving positive educational, developmental and lifelong learning outcomes.

The position will collaboratively negotiate, develop and implement programs for student that have a focus on preventative and early intervention strategies; are responsive to identified personal, social, emotional and educational needs; and aim to foster resilience and personal skills development.

Key Accountabilities

• Advocate, provide counselling, psychoeducational assessment and individual student support recommendations and advice to students, teachers and parents concerning educational, behavioural, mental health and family issues.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team and facilitate effective working relationships and partnerships with parents, school staff and external support agencies in order to provide a comprehensive support, case management and referral service that optimises students’ access and engagement in educational programs.
• Conduct activities such as student observation and psychoeducational assessment in order to determine the nature of student learning difficulties, disability, developmental levels or psychological and emotional status in order to make recommendations for educational adjustments and interventions.
• Assist schools in the implementation of student protection, behaviour support policies and risk management processes that may involve the development of individualised student plans. Monitor and review the implementation of the student plans together with the classroom teacher and other stakeholders.
• Balance the ethical issues of privacy and confidentiality for each student with the appropriateness of sharing information with others, and maintain a comprehensive and professional record keeping system that complies with policy and legal requirements of parental and legal access to official records.
• Participate in relevant professional development, and prepare and implement professional and personal skill development programs and in-services for teachers, school officers and parents. Participate in regular professional supervision sessions.
• Provide leadership and specialised support in response to student protection issues, critical incidents and emergencies, including the development and implementation of stress management, grief management and behaviour management programs for students (individuals and small groups). 
• Maintain the standards that are established by the professional body with which the Guidance Counsellor is affiliated. 

Mandatory Criteria

• Current Working with Children Suitability Card – The successful candidate will require a paid Blue Card before commencement as per the No Card, No Start policy developed by Queensland Government – exemption for AHPRA or OCT Registration
• Current full registration or current provisional registration with eligibility for full registration, as a teacher in Queensland, and one year (minimum) full-time (or part-time equivalent coursework Masters, majoring in guidance and counselling OR
•  Full registration as a psychologist through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Psychology Board of Australia or a fourth-year qualification or a fifth-year qualification in psychology that will enable general registration as a psychologist through AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia following completion of the board approved internship or accredited sequence of study 
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Ability to travel from time to time within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role in a safe manner
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the ethos of the Catholic School. 

Desirable Criteria

• Professional membership with the Queensland Guidance and Counselling Association (QGCA) or the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Some employees may be subject to pre-employment medical assessments during the selection process. Depending on the nature of the position, it may be necessary for successful applicants to be immunised against certain preventable diseases in order to minimise the risk of transmission.

Please refer to the Position Description and TCEO Guidelines for supporting Provisional Psychologists for more information.  

What we offer
 

• Competitive Salary
• Annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Salary packaging options 
• Modern facilities, equipment and resources
• Superannuation up to 12.75% employer contribution (in a co-contribution arrangement)
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service
• 14 Weeks’ paid parental leave if eligible
• Deferred Salary Scheme
• Corporate health insurance 
• Induction, professional development and learning opportunities
• Wellbeing programs and initiatives

Townsville Catholic Education provides a supportive, flexible working environment where care for the individual is an important part of our ethos.  We employ motivated people who want to work together to produce excellent outcomes for our students. Our staff are recognised as being central to achieving our mission. 

How to apply

Click on the link to apply via the Careers page.