Psychologist

UNIT PROFILE:

The Acute Psychiatry Program employs a multidisciplinary team who assess and treat individuals 18 years of age and above experiencing an acute mental health episode. The Program optimizes a variety of proven treatment strategies and provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnosis, and a variety of treatments including pharmacotherapy, group therapies, and psychoeducation with the aim of controlling symptoms. Treatment is aimed at diagnosing and supporting recovery of the person, with a mission to provide excellence and leadership in evidence‑based clinical service, education, and research.

The role of the Psychologist is to plan, conduct, and provide expertise and guidance related to psychological services including evidence‑based assessment, treatment, and consultation, in line with the mission and values of St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

The Psychologist plans, conducts, and supervises psychological services including evidence‑based assessment, treatment, and consultation, in line with the mission and values of St. Joseph's Healthcare. The Psychologist plans, coordinates, and provides related research and program evaluation activities. Program needs and client population will shape specific roles and tasks. The Psychologist takes a leadership role in education, clinical training, and other academic activities within the program.

The Psychologist practices within the scope of declared competencies registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. Given that St. Joseph's Healthcare is affiliated with McMaster University, the Psychologist is expected to engage in appropriate teaching and research activities and hold a faculty appointment within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences.

This position will have a home base on Acute Mental Health (M1); however, will work across the Acute Psychiatry portfolio including Acute Mental Health (R1), Acute Mental Health 9 Tower, Acute Mental Health 10 Tower and Psychiatry Emergency Services.

• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent) from an APA‑ or CPA‑accredited graduate program (or equivalent)
• Registered, or eligible for registration, through the College of Psychologists and Behavioural Analysts of Ontario with identified competency relevant to the program
• One‑year post‑doctoral clinical experience in a specialized mental health setting
• Demonstrated competency and experience with an appropriate range of psychological tests, measures, and assessment techniques, with specific competency and experience in semi‑structured and diagnostic interviews (i.e., DART, SCID, MMPI) and specialized mood/risk assessment techniques
• Demonstrated competency and experience in the clinical application of psychological knowledge, principles, and treatment techniques, with specific competency and experience in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and CBT application as well as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Demonstrated track record of academic productivity (i.e., peer‑reviewed funding, peer‑reviewed publications, presentations at professional meetings)
• Demonstrated compliance with the ethical and professional practice standards of the profession
• Demonstrated skills and experience in treatment, assessment, and research in relevant areas of practice
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to collaborate with community resources and services, and to advocate for the needs of clients
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in clinical research design and analysis
• Demonstrated skills and experience in clinical teaching, education, and research consistent with the requirements for faculty appointment to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University
• Demonstrated continuing academic productivity consistent with requirements for future appointment to the rank of Associate Professor or Professor
• Demonstrated interpersonal and supervisory skills required for the supervision of students, interns, residents, psychometrists, staff from other healthcare disciplines, and psychologists and/or psychological associates registered for supervised practice by the College of Psychologists of Ontario
• Demonstrated advanced oral and written communication skills required for assessment reports, scholarly presentations, and scholarly publications
• Excellent work performance and attendance record is required
• Experience working with individuals with trauma‑related disorders, and expertise in the assessment and treatment of post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Experience performing assessments of personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder)