Clinical Psychologist (SOG/ST 8)

JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Director, Medical Services, the incumbent is responsible for liaising with the other Corrections professionals working in the Correctional Centers and Probation Services to provide a full range of psychological service aimed at the improving the mental health of the inmates by developing intervention techniques and treatment programmes for use with both incarcerated offenders and community-based offenders. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Managerial/Administrative: 

• Establishes a permanent and ongoing client- record keeping system for the division, which must be linkable to the Inmates existing docketing/records system. 
• Establishes and maintains directories of relevant services (in collaboration with Probation Aftercare Services). 
• Establishes and maintains directories of agencies and individuals to which inmates may be referred. 
• Approaches local and international educational institutions/programmes to which our inmates may be admitted. 
• Organizes and implements relevant training and staff-development programmes for the various departments and levels of staff. 
• Supervises Counselling clinical practicum student from various tertiary institutions who come to the Correctional Centers on supervised field practicum. 
• Advises prison staff on incidents. 
• Attends Unit meetings. 
• Manages the delivery of offender treatment programmes. 
• Presents findings from assessments to a wider staff audience. 
• Monitors the adherence to treatment procedures. 
• Provides necessary reports to Court, Parole Board and Privy Council. 
• Makes recommendations regarding policies concerning the psychological operations of the Department. 

Technical/Professional: 

• Provides individual and group therapeutic counselling care for inmates/clients and their families, with special attention to mental health issues; 
• Helps inmates/clients cope with/adjust to mental health disorder/issues;
• Helps mentally ill inmates/clients accept responsibility for their personal care;
• Helps clients/inmates deal with other presenting issues; 
• Arranges the psychological testing, when needed, for clients/inmates; 
• Provides counselling for HIV/AIDS clients (or staff) in the Correctional Centers;
• Carries out one to one assessments of offenders;
• Undertakes research projects to evaluate the contribution and effectiveness of intervention programmes; 
• Assists in hostage negotiation; 
• Convenes case conferences for the benefit of members of the rehabilitation team. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent knowledge of group dynamic in the treatment of psychological disorder; 
• Excellent knowledge of sociological factors that influence behaviour disorder;
• Excellent knowledge of psychological evaluation and intervention; 
• Knowledge of the organization’s policies and procedures; 
• Ability to counsel persons who have HIV/AIDS or are facing HIV testing;
• Familiarity with mental health issues and challenges; 
• Good problem-solving skills and strength of character; 
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills; 
• Clinical Analysis skills; 
• Good interpersonal skills; 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications. 

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• M.Sc. Degree in Clinical Psychology or Counselling Psychology; 
• Three (3) years’ experience in Therapeutic, or Counselling Clinical Psychology. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• May be required to work beyond the normal working hours. 
• May be required to work on weekends and public holidays. 
• Exposure to high-risk environment within Correctional Facilities and their environs.
• Highly stressful and hazardous environment. 
• Exposure to confidential information. 

The Department of Correctional Services thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those shortlisted will be contacted.