Psychologist

What is the psychologist's role?

Psychologists have expertise in human behaviour. They use scientific methods to study the factors that influence the way that people think, feel and learn. psychologists use evidence-based strategies and interventions to help people overcome challenges, change their behaviour and improve their mental health.

Working as a psychologist with CSNSW

Psychologists employed by Corrective Services New South Wales (CSNSW) work directly with offenders in custody and with those offenders who are under the supervision of community corrections.

Our psychologists work across the state of New South Wales, in a wide variety of interesting and complex roles. CSNSW psychologists work with offenders who have complex presentations; they can be at high risk of reoffending and may have committed crimes of a violent and/or sexual nature.

CSNSW psychologists make significant contributions to an offender's case management and intervention by providing psychological assessments, services and programs to individuals under the supervision of CSNSW (custody and community based). Our psychologists also provide advice to internal and external stakeholders about the offender's management needs, mental state and their risk of reoffending.

CSNSW clients often present with co-morbid diagnoses and have a variety of complex and often conflicting needs. CSNSW psychologists actively work with these individuals through best practice methodology with the aim of achieving positive outcomes for the offender, the department and the community as a whole. For example, work undertaken by CSNSW psychologists includes working with:

• active symptoms of mental illness
  
• intent to suicide / self-harm
• cognitive impairments
• institutional violence
• disruptive behaviours
• Assessment and targeted intervention for offending behaviour such as violent and/or sexual offending.

Psychology work in Corrective Services is stable and satisfying, with opportunities for career diversity and growth. CSNSW offers a competitive salary for their psychologists and provides all supervision and professional development in order to meet the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency's (AHPRA) requirements for maintaining registration as a psychologist. CSNSW offers flexible workplace practices and is an equal opportunity employer.

CSNSW psychological work is best suited to registered psychologists who enjoy working within multidisciplinary teams, have strong communication skills and are passionate about the Department of Justice's priorities to reduce reoffending and maintain community safety. 

Professional standards and application requirements

CSNSW psychology services operate under the professional standards and guidelines of the Psychology Board of Australia and AHPRA. As such, individuals interested in working as a psychologist in CSNSW must hold full registration as a psychologist with AHPRA (or be registered as a provisional psychologist in certain circumstances)

Completion of an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) approved Masters or Doctorate Degree in Forensic Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or Clinical Psychology is an advantage. However, registered psychologists with an interest in working with forensic clients are also employed by CSNSW.

It is an advantage for applicants to show demonstrated experience in a wide range of assessments and intervention strategies with adult mental health consumers, and specific training in cognitive behavioural and other evidence based treatments. However, those psychologists with less experience in these areas can be trained in the CSNSW- specific tests/assessments once they are employed by CSNSW.

It is important that psychologists seeking employment with CSNSW are able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as interpersonal and problem solving skills.

Other important skills relevant for this role are:

• ability to use databases and overall computer literacy
  
• ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team
• knowledge of current national and state strategic directions in mental health
• ability to be flexible within an evolving environment and commit to the goals of the organisation, department and government as a whole.

How to apply for a psychologist position with CSNSW

The recruitment process involves:

• submission of an application including
  
  • resume (no more than 5 pages)
  • cover letter
  • targeted questions to be answered as part of the application process (see specific role advertisements for details)
• completion of relevant psychometric or work-based assessments
• interview
• Referee and conduct and service checks
• criminal records and any other relevant probity checks
• you must be a qualified and a fully registered psychologist with AHPRA (or be registered as a provisional psychologist in certain circumstances pending full registration).

Apply for a psychologist role ​at iwork​for.nsw.gov.au.