Health and Community Employees Psychologists
(State) Award 2021
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Application by NSW Ministry of Health.
(Case No. 187556 of 2021)
Before Chief Commissioner Constant
|
30 July 2021
|
AWARD
PART A
Arrangement
Clause No. Subject Matter
9 Area,
Incidence and Duration
2 Classifications
4 Conditions
of Service
1 Definitions
6 Dispute
Resolution
3 Grading
Committee
8 No Extra
Claims
5 Salaries
7 Savings
Provision
PART B - MONETARY RATES
Table 1 - Salary Rates
PART A
1. Definitions
"Employee" means a person employed in the New
South Wales Health Service under section 115(1) of the Health Services Act 1997, as amended or varied from time to time,
"Employer" means the Secretary of the Ministry of
Health exercising employer functions on behalf of the Government of New South
Wales.
"Health Service" means a Local Health District
constituted under section 17 of the Health
Services Act 1997, a Statutory Health Corporation constituted under section
41 of that Act and an Affiliated Health Organisation recognised under section
62 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 provisional registration with the Psychology
Board of Australia. Such employees will be provided with appropriate supervision
to enable the employee to attain registration with the Psychology Board of
Australia as a Psychologist.
"Union" means the Health Services Union NSW.
2. Classifications
A. Psychologist
(i) Academic
and Registration Requirements
A Psychologists is an employee with a four year degree
in psychology, being a three year degree with a fourth year honours in
psychology; or a qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.
The Psychologist classification includes both
Psychologists in Training and Psychologists who have full registration with the
Psychology Board of Australia.
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 has full registration with the Psychology
Board of Australia, 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 with the
Psychology Board of Australia, the employee shall not progress past the salary
rate applying for Psychologist 2nd year of service.
(ii) Characteristics
(a) Tasks
Psychologists are trained in the independent application
of existing treatment techniques and assessment procedures to a range of
behavioural and emotional disorders.
Psychologists facilitate change in attitudes and
behaviour related to health and illness, for the purpose of preventing and
relieving distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and
personal development.
(b) Judgement and
Problem Solving
Psychologists evaluate psychological factors affecting maladaptive
behaviour and provide individual counselling services, therapeutic
interventions, group programs and case management in the areas of (but not
limited to) anger management, parenting skills, stress management, social
skills training, assertiveness training, mental health and problem addictions.
Psychologists undertake psychometric testing e.g.
intelligence, personality and vocational, consistent with Psychology Board of
Australia competencies.
(c) Supervision and
Independence
Psychologists may work independently with clinical
supervision from a more senior Psychologist.
Psychologists may provide clinical supervision to less
experienced Psychologists.
Psychologists with three or more years of
post-registration experience are eligible to supervise Psychologists in
Training for registration purposes after having successfully undertaken the
Psychology Board of Australia certified supervision workshop.
(d) Organisational
Relationships and Impact
Psychologists may contribute to service planning and
policy development.
Psychologists may participate in psychological research
and evaluation projects as required.
Psychologists may be involved in the provision of
in-services to staff and students.
Psychologists may formulate management and case plans.
Psychologists undertake liaison with relevant internal
and external stakeholders.
B. 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) co-ordination
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 Psychology Board of Australia.
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.
C. Clinical
Psychologist
(i) Academic
and Registration Requirements
The Clinical Psychologist is a fully registered
psychologist with a Masters degree or higher in
Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology or some other recognised clinical
area in psychology that the employer deems relevant to the functions of the
position. The postgraduate qualifications must be of no less than two years
full time duration (or part-time equivalent) and include professional clinical
coursework, clinical training and supervised placement experience as core
components.
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.
(ii) Characteristics
(a) Task
Clinical Psychologists are capable of undertaking all
activities performed by the classifications of Psychologist and Senior
Psychologist as described in the Award.
Clinical Psychologists are trained in the scientific
study and application of psychological knowledge and principles for the purpose
of diagnosing, understanding, preventing, treating and advising on
psychopathological distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective wellbeing.
The essential tasks of Clinical Psychologists are
assessment, diagnosis, case formulation and treatment of psychopathology as it
is manifested (variously) in cognitive, emotional, motivational, personality
and behavioural disturbances in adults, adolescents or children across a range
of health care settings including outpatient, community, primary care and
in-patient facilities.
Referrals appropriate to Clinical Psychologists
encompass a diversity of presentations - from acute to enduring and mild to
severe. Problems range from those with mainly biological causation to those
emanating mainly from psychosocial factors, as well as problems of coping or
adaptation to adverse circumstances that are not themselves reversible by
psychological intervention e.g. physical disability, physical illness,
bereavement.
(b) Judgement and Problem Solving
Clinical
Psychologists exercise independent judgment concerning the selection and
application of principles, methods and techniques of psychological assessment
and/or treatment. Chosen interventions involve the adaptive utilisation of
empirically derived psychological principles.
(c) Supervision and Independence
The appropriate discharge of duties and demonstration
of competence at this level is in consequence of an understanding of theories
and techniques, which enable Clinical Psychologists to assess and diagnose
psychological problems and disorders and design and implement appropriate
psychological procedures.
Clinical Psychologists work independently and receive
clinical supervision from another Clinical Psychologist. Initially such
supervision is provided by a more senior and experienced professional colleague
but after several years’ experience, Clinical Psychologists may participate in
peer supervision only.
Clinical Psychologists may work in or lead a
multidisciplinary team.
Clinical Psychologists are expected to provide clinical
supervision to less experienced Psychologists, be involved in peer supervision and
supervise postgraduate students on clinical placements.
(d) Organisational
Relationships
Clinical Psychologists may conduct psychological
research and evaluation projects as required.
Clinical Psychologists are involved in service planning
and the formulation of policy.
Clinical Psychologists participate in the provision of
in-service programs to staff and students.
Clinical Psychologists are a consultant to
Psychologists and may provide peer consultancy to colleagues and other
professionals within their area of expertise.
D. 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 duties as
described for Clinical Psychologist above and in addition must demonstrate
clinical expertise requiring:
(1) higher level
knowledge and experience in a specific area eg
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.
In addition, the
employee must also discharge duties in at least one of the following areas:
(a) Administrative duties, which may include:
(1) responsibility
for overall service planning and policy; and
(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) 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.
E. Principal
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 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 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 Ministry of Health objectives via evidence based methods and
evaluation; and
(2) teaching
specialised clinical skills to other psychologists and/ or students.
3. Grading Committee
A grading committee will be established on a needs basis for
the specific purpose of considering applications made by employees for
progression and/or regrading within the classifications of the Award. Where an
employee believes that their position is inappropriately graded the application
must demonstrate that the applicant meets the requirements of and is required
to work at the level as described for the grading being sought.
The committee shall consist of at least three members, a
majority of which must be Psychologists of an equivalent or higher grading than
that sought by the applicant. In applications for regrading to Senior Clinical
Psychologist there must be a Psychologist representative from another Health
Service. The committee will be established via consultation between the Union
and the Health Service.
The committee will receive the written application
addressing the relevant criteria of the classification by the applicant and
review its contents prior to proceeding to an interview of the applicant.
The committee shall record its decision and reasoning and
make its recommendation to the Chief Executive of the Health Service or their
nominated representative.
4. Conditions of
Service
The Public
Hospitals (Professional and Associated Staff) Conditions of Employment (State)
Award 2019, as varied or replaced from time to time, shall apply to all
persons covered by this Award.
In addition, the Health
Industry Status of Employment (State) Award 2019, as varied or replaced
from time to time, shall also apply to all relevant employees.
5. Salaries
Full time Psychologist employees shall be paid the salaries
as set out in Table 1 of Part B - Monetary Rates, of this Award.
6. Dispute Resolution
The dispute resolution procedures contained in the Public Hospitals (Professional and
Associated Staff) Conditions of Employment (State) Award 2019, as varied
or replaced from time to time, shall apply.
7. Savings Provision
Employees classified as Clinical Psychologists as at 5 March
2009 are to retain that classification while they remain in the position they
held as at that date.
Subject to satisfactory performance, employees who, as at 27
January 2009, were employed as Psychologists and were enrolled or accepted for
enrolment in a post graduate qualification as described at subclause (i) of Part C of Clause 2, Classifications, of this Award,
shall be reclassified as Clinical Psychologist on successful completion of that
qualification.
8. No Extra Claims
Other than as provided for in the Industrial Relations Act 1996 and the Industrial Relations (Public Sector Conditions of Employment)
Regulation 2014, there shall
be no further claims/demands or proceedings instituted before the Industrial
Relations Commission of New South Wales for extra or reduced wages, salaries,
rates of pay, allowances or conditions of employment with respect to the
employees covered by the Award that take effect prior to 30 June 2022 by a
party to this Award.
9. Area, Incidence and
Duration
(i) This
Award takes effect from 1 July 2021 and shall remain in force for a period of
one year. The rates in the last column in Table 1 of Part B - Monetary Rates,
will apply from the first full pay period on or after (ffppoa)
1 July 2021.
(ii) This Award rescinds and replaces the Health and Community Employees Psychologists
(State) Award 2019 published 1
November 2019 (385 I.G. 549) and all variations thereof.
(iii) 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.
PART B - MONETARY RATES
Table 1 - Salary Rates
Classification
|
Rate to apply prior to ffppoa
01/07/2021
$ per annum
|
Rate from ffppoa
01/07/2021
$ per annum
|
Psychologists
|
Psychologist
|
1st year of service
|
68,093
|
69,482
|
2nd year of service
|
71,776
|
73,240
|
3rd year of service
|
75,455
|
76,994
|
4th year of service
|
80,055
|
81,688
|
5th year of service
|
84,657
|
86,384
|
6th year of service
|
89,258
|
91,079
|
7th year of service
|
93,859
|
95,774
|
8th year of service
|
97,542
|
99,532
|
9th year of service and thereafter
|
101,217
|
103,282
|
Senior
|
1st year of service
|
106,740
|
108,917
|
2nd year of service
|
111,344
|
113,615
|
3rd year of service and thereafter
|
115,943
|
118,308
|
Clinical
|
1st year of service
|
97,543
|
99,533
|
2nd year of service
|
103,058
|
105,160
|
3rd year of service
|
108,582
|
110,797
|
4th year of service
|
114,105
|
116,433
|
5th year of service and thereafter
|
119,623
|
122,063
|
Senior Clinical
|
1st year of service
|
125,146
|
127,699
|
2nd year of service
|
128,825
|
131,453
|
3rd year of service and thereafter
|
132,507
|
135,210
|
Principal Clinical
|
1st year of service and thereafter
|
150,910
|
153,989
|
Part-time Psychologists
|
(Applicable only to staff employed prior to 30 June 1993
(see DOH Circular 93/58)
|
Psychologist
|
Part-Time Psychologist (per hour)
|
51.00
|
52.04
|
(Formula: 5th year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
|
Clinical Psychologist
|
Part-Time Clinical Psychologist (per hour)
|
65.40
|
66.73
|
(Formula: 3rd year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
|
Senior Clinical Psychologist
|
Part-Time Senior Clinical Psychologist (per hour)
|
77.60
|
79.18
|
(Formula: 2nd year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
|
N. CONSTANT, Chief Commissioner
____________________
Printed by
the authority of the Industrial Registrar.