The prison disability support initiative (PDSI) is a state-wide rehabilitation service that assists people in custody with cognitive impairments and complex disability needs.

The PDSI aims to:

• Identify people in custody with non-physical disabilities.
• Assess disability needs to inform decisions on placement, case management and rehabilitation.
• Educate corrections staff on how to better understand and support the people in their care.
• Link individuals with appropriate disability support services.

What you will do

As a senior clinician for the PDSI, you will manage the team supporting people in Victorian prisons who have cognitive or physical impairments. These disabilities may include conditions such as acquired brain injury, dementia or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Unlike forensic intervention service (FIS) clinicians, your work won't focus explicitly on a person's offending. Instead, you will help with better understanding a person's disability needs and better support them in the custodial environment.

You will:

• Oversee the daily clinical operations of the PDSI to make sure services run smoothly.
• Manage and support a team of clinicians and complex case coordinators.
• Keep a small caseload of complex cases, completing assessments and providing interventions.
• Offer advice and support for people with cognitive impairments and challenging behaviours.
• Help with triaging service users and give advice on referral pathways.
• Create a collaborative, innovative team environment focused on problem-solving.
• Support the training and development of staff to improve outcomes for people in custody with a disability.

Why work with us

There are many advantages of working as a clinician with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, including:

• A fair salary – enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options
• Your professional association membership or registration funded annually (e.g. PBA/AHPRA, AASW)
• Individual and group supervision, as well as any additional supervision required as part of professional registration requirements.
• Transparent performance framework – approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you are experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues.

Preferred experience

You will need a high level of clinical expertise in disability and forensic settings to thrive in this role.

You will also possess:

• Registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or another relevant tertiary qualification. 
• A current Victorian driver's license.
• Minimum of three years post-registration experience in a relevant field.
• Specialist endorsement and/or experience in a clinical or forensic field (desirable).