Clinical Psychologist

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the post of:

Clinical Psychologist (SOG/ST 8), Specialized and Medical Services Division

Two (2) positions available

Job Purpose
The incumbent is responsible 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.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Management/Administrative Responsibilities

• 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 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
• 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 Responsibilities

• 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;
• Helping clients/inmates deal with other presenting issue;
• 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.

Other related duties

• Performs any other duty in the interest of the department that may be assigned from time to time.

Required knowledge, skills & competencies

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

Special conditions

• Highly stressful and hazardous environment;
• Exposure to confidential information.

Salary

Salary Scale: $2,457,386 –$ 2,921,059 per annum and any applicable allowances.

Note

Interested persons should forward their applications and résumés NO LATER THAN Friday, January 15, 2021. Subject: Clinical Psychologist (SOG/ST 8).

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

Senior Director, Human Resource Management & Administration
Human Resource Management & Administration Division
Department of Correctional Services
5-7 King Street
Kingston.

 

Email: vacancy@dcs.gov.jm

Base Salary: $2457386