Health
and Community Employees Psychologists (State) Award
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Application by Health
Services Union, Industrial Organisation of Employees.
(No. IRC 2110 of 2008)
|
Before Commissioner
McLeay
|
12 November 2008
|
AWARD
Arrangement
Clause No. Subject Matter
5. Area,
Incidence and Duration
2. Classifications
3. Conditions
of Service
1. Definitions
4. No Extra
Claims
Part B
Table 1 - Salary
Rates
1. Definitions
"Employee" means a person employed in the New
South Wales Health Service under s115(1) of the Health Services Act 1997.
"Employer" means the Director-General of the
Department of Health exercising employer functions on behalf of the Government
of New South Wales (and includes a delegate of the Director-General)..
"Health Service" means an Area Health Service
constituted under section 8 of the Health Services Act 1997, a Statutory
Health Corporation constituted under section 11 of that Act and an Affiliated
Health Organisation constituted under section 13 of that Act.
"Psychologist in Training" means an employee with
a four year degree in psychology, being a three year degree with a fourth year
honours in psychology; or who has qualifications deemed equivalent by the
employer, and who is eligible for conditional registration with the NSW
Psychologists Registration Board. Such
employees will be provided with appropriate supervision to enable the employee
to attain registration with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board as a
Psychologist.
"Union" means the Health Services Union.
2. Classifications
"Psychologist"
(i) Characteristics
and General Features of Duties
Graduate psychologists are trained in the independent application
of existing treatment techniques and assessment procedures; psychometric
testing (eg intelligence, personality, vocational); psychological counselling;
and the formulation/ provision of psychological reports. The focus on the
"Psychologist" and "Senior Psychologist" stream in the
classification structure is a concern with assessment and
intervention/treatment for a range of behavioural and emotional disorders.
Duties for Psychologists (with three or more years
post-registration experience) may include supervision of Psychologists for
registration purposes.
(ii) Academic and
Registration Requirements
An employee with a four year degree in psychology,
being a three year degree with a fourth year honours in psychology; or who has
qualifications deemed equivalent by the employer, and who is eligible for
conditional registration as a psychologist-in-training with the NSW
Psychologists Registration Board.
A psychologist-in-training shall commence at year 1 of
the scale for Psychologist.
Provided that where a psychologist has already met the
criteria for full registration, and is registered in accordance with the Psychologists
Act 2001, they shall commence at year 3 of the scale for Psychologist.
Provided further that until such time as a psychologist
has met the criteria for full registration and is registered in accordance with
the Psychologists Act 2001, the employee shall not progress past the
salary rate applying for Psychologist 2nd year of service.
"Senior Psychologist"
(i) Characteristics
and General Features of Duties
Employees at this classification possess a high degree
of experience as a Psychologist, with breadth and depth of experience in
psychological methods and the provision of psychological services. The Senior Psychologist is able to provide a
psychology service with the attribute of initiative, and to exercise
independent judgment.
The general duties are as detailed for Psychologist,
and in addition:
(a) clinical
supervision of Psychologists;
(b) provision of
psychological assessment and interventions involving adaptive utilisation of
psychological principles and methods, including evaluation where appropriate;
(c) administrative
duties, including but not limited to:
(1) coordination of clinical
activities of a service; and
(2) significant
involvement in service planning and policy.
(ii) Academic and
Registration Requirements
An employee with a four year degree in psychology,
being a three year degree with a fourth year honours in psychology; or who has
qualifications deemed equivalent by the employer and who is registered as a
psychologist with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board.
Employees appointed at the Senior Psychologist level
shall satisfy the criteria for the Psychologist classification, and have
completed a minimum of one year at the 9th year of service and thereafter point
on the salary scale for Psychologist.
Employees appointed to this classification shall demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the employer by their work performed and the results achieved, together with
their aptitude, abilities and other attributes, that appointment at this level
is warranted on merit.
"Clinical Psychologist"
(i) Characteristics
and General Features of Duties
The focus of the clinical psychologist is towards
mental and other health disorders in a clinical setting. In discharging the functions of this
classification, the Clinical Psychologist exercises independent judgment
concerning the selection and application of principles, methods and techniques
of psychological assessment and/ or treatment.
A Clinical Psychologist shall be capable of undertaking
all activities performed by psychologists, detailed for the classifications of
"Psychologist" and "Senior Psychologist" as described above,
together with activities that require specialist psychological interventions
involving the adaptive utilisation of psychological knowledge and principles in
the assessment and treatment of a range of health disorders.
The appropriate discharge of duties and demonstration
of competence at this level is in consequence of an understanding of theories
and techniques which enable the employee to supervise psychologists; assess and
diagnose psychological problems and disorders; and design and implement appropriate
psychological procedures.
Subject to satisfactory performance, Psychologists who
meet the academic requirements outlined below shall be reclassified as Clinical
Psychologist.
(ii) Academic and
Registration Requirements
A psychologist with a post-graduate degree at the
masters level or higher in a specialist clinical area in psychology (Clinical
Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology or such other speciality in psychology
that the employer deems relevant to the functions of the position), that is of
no less than two years full time duration or its equivalent.
Employees with a three year Clinical Doctorate (or
equivalent) or a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) shall enter the classification
at year 2 of the scale.
Employees entering this classification from the
classifications of Psychologist or Senior Psychologist shall enter at the
salary point for this classification that is above the salary point previously
applying as Psychologist or Senior Psychologist.
"Senior Clinical Psychologist"
(i) Characteristics
and General Features of Duties
A Clinical Psychologist may, after not less than the
completion of 12 months service at the 5th year of service and thereafter rate,
make written application to the employer for progression to the classification
of Senior Clinical Psychologist. The application shall comprehend, but not be
limited to detailing current direct treatment responsibilities and duties
discharged; together with provision of treatment consultation, supervision and
training; and relevant documentary support material.
The employer may also establish such positions of
Senior Clinical Psychologist that it deems appropriate, from time to time.
Employees that are successful in their application for
progression to Senior Clinical Psychologist shall commence on the 1st year of
service rate for the classification.
Employees classified as Senior Clinical Psychologist
shall discharge the clinical duties as described for Clinical Psychologist
above, and in addition, two or more of the following:
(a) Administrative
duties, which may include:
(1) responsibility
for overall service planning and policy;
(2) other
supra-clinical duties involving responsibility for service provision; and
(3) responsibility
for professional functioning of Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists;
(b) Consultation,
involving
(1) the provision of
consultation with other psychologists or with other professional bodies and
organisations (e.g. other government agencies) regarding psychological services
and/ or development of policies and procedures in areas requiring specialist
psychological knowledge; and
(2) developing
protocols for individual and group treatment programs and making available to
other health professionals. Developing assessment
procedures for clinical decision making;
(c) Research and
Evaluation, involving
(1) research, where
the psychologist has taken responsibility as principal researcher for the
design, implementation and reporting of psychological research; and
(2) evaluation,
where the psychologist makes a major contribution to setting up evaluation
systems for programs and services and major quality improvement projects;
(d) Clinical
expertise, requiring
(1) higher level
knowledge and experience in a specific area e.g. tertiary referral service,
manifest in the level of competence, initiative, innovation, responsibility and
professional recognition of the employee; and
(2) developing and
extending applications of assessment and treatment methods;
(e) Training,
involving
(1) the training of
psychologists or other health professionals in a range of areas, that may
include specialist psychological skills;
(2) contributing to
training for supervisors of psychological services; and
(3) developing and
implementing training programs
"Principal Clinical Psychologist"
(i) Characteristics
and General Features of Duties
Appointment to this classification shall be through
competitive selection and assessment on the basis of merit to fill an
advertised vacancy; personal progression of an employee is not available for
appointment to this level.
It is envisaged appointments to this level would be
made from Senior Clinical Psychologists that have substantial knowledge, skills
and experience at that level; be able to demonstrate significant expertise in
the delivery of psychological services; and is a recognised leader in their
clinical field and has contributed to the body of psychological knowledge, and/
or the development and education of psychologists within the field.
Clinical and other duties shall be as detailed above
for Senior Clinical Psychologist, and in addition one or more of the following:
(a) Administrative
and policy duties, which may include:
(1) providing advice
to Health Services and/or liaising between different Health Services on the
development and provision of psychological services;
(2) acting as a
Senior Consultant for government or other agencies; and
(3) providing policy
advice on human and psychological services at Ministerial level;
(b) Psychological
Research of a significant nature and demonstrating ongoing involvement, which
may include:
(1) a significant
number of research publications with the Principal Clinical Psychologist as
primary author, and which have been published in respected peer reviewed
journals. It would be expected that a
significant proportion of these publications had been achieved since attaining
specialist qualifications; and
(2) presentation of
papers, which may include psychological research or issues of clinical
development, at major professional conferences and seminars;
(c) Teaching duties
of a significant nature, which may include:
(1) having a
university appointment that includes active involvement in the teaching of
psychology at the postgraduate level, and may also include teaching of
undergraduates; and
(2) teaching
specialised clinical skills to other psychologists and/ or students;
(d) Advisory, with
the Principal Clinical Psychologist:
(1) operating in a
senior advisory role to the Health Service and developing systems to ensure a
high level of professional functioning of psychologists in that Health Service,
such as organising regular continued professional development for
Psychologists, maintaining and enhancing professional ethics and conduct,
supporting NSW Health Department objectives via evidence based methods and
evaluation; and
(2) teaching
specialised clinical skills to other psychologists and/ or students;
3. Conditions of
Service
The Public Hospital (Professional and Associated Staff)
Conditions of Employment (State) Award, as varied from time to time, shall
apply to all persons covered by this award.
In addition, the Health Industry Status of Employment
(State) Award, shall also apply to all relevant employees.
4. No Extra Claims
The Memorandum of Understanding between the employer and the
Union dated 23 September 2008 establishes the extent of any further claims that
may be pursued by the Union as set down in Clause 9, Leave Reserved, of that
Memorandum.
5. Area, Incidence
and Duration
(i) This Award
rescinds and replaces the Health and Community Employees Psychologists (State)
Award published 10 March 2006 (357 I.G. 970) and all variations thereof.
(ii) This Award
shall apply to persons employed in classifications contained herein employed in
the New South Wales Health Service under section 115(1) of the Health
Services Act 1997, or their successors, assignees or transmittees,
excluding the County of Yancowinna.
(iii) This Award
takes effect from 12 November 2008, and shall remain in force until 30 June
2011.
PART B
Table 1 - Salary
Rates
|
Grades
|
Rate from
|
Rate from
|
Rate from
|
|
|
1.7.2008
|
1.7.2009
|
1.7.2010
|
|
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
|
Psychologist
|
|
|
|
|
1st year of service
|
50,583
|
52,556
|
54,606
|
|
2nd year of service
|
53,319
|
55,398
|
57,559
|
|
3rd year of service
|
56,052
|
58,238
|
60,509
|
|
4th year of service
|
59,469
|
61,788
|
64,198
|
|
5th year of service
|
62,888
|
65,341
|
67,889
|
|
6th year of service
|
66,305
|
68,891
|
71,578
|
|
7th year of service
|
69,724
|
72,443
|
75,268
|
|
8th year of service
|
72,459
|
75,285
|
78,221
|
|
9th year of service & thereafter
|
75,190
|
78,122
|
81,169
|
|
Senior Psychologist
|
|
|
|
|
1st year of service
|
79,293
|
82,385
|
85,598
|
|
2nd year of service
|
82,712
|
85,938
|
89,290
|
|
3rd year of service & thereafter
|
86,129
|
89,488
|
92,978
|
|
Clinical Psychologist
|
|
|
|
|
1st year of service
|
72,459
|
75,285
|
78,221
|
|
2nd year of service
|
76,558
|
79,544
|
82,646
|
|
3rd year of service
|
80,661
|
83,807
|
87,075
|
|
4th year of service
|
84,762
|
88,068
|
91,503
|
|
5th year of service and thereafter
|
88,862
|
92,328
|
95,929
|
|
Senior Clinical Psychologist
|
|
|
|
|
1st year of service
|
92,965
|
96,591
|
100,358
|
|
2nd year of service
|
95,698
|
99,430
|
103,308
|
|
3rd year of service & thereafter
|
98,433
|
102,272
|
106,261
|
|
Principal Clinical Psychologist
|
|
|
|
|
1st year of service and thereafter
|
112,104
|
116,476
|
121,019
|
|
Part-Time Psychologist
|
|
|
|
|
(Applicable only to staff employed prior to 30 June 1993
|
|
|
|
|
(see DOH Circular 93/58)
|
|
|
|
|
Part-time Psychologist (p/hour)
|
37.88
|
39.36
|
40.89
|
|
(formula:- 5th year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
|
|
|
|
|
Part-time Clinical Psychologist (p/hour)
|
48.58
|
50.48
|
52.45
|
|
(formula:- 5th year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
|
|
|
|
|
Part-time Senior Clinical Psychologist (p/hour)
|
57.64
|
59.89
|
62.23
|
|
(formula:- 5th year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
|
|
|
|
J.
McLEAY, Commissioner
____________________
Printed by
the authority of the Industrial Registrar.