HEALTH AND COMMUNITY EMPLOYEES’ PSYCHOLOGISTS (STATE) AWARD 2024

 

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION OF NEW SOUTH WALES

 

Application by Health Secretary, NSW Ministry of Health

 

(No. IRC 242665 of 2024)

 

 

AWARD

 

PART A

 

Arrangement

 

Clause No.           Subject Matter

 

1.           Definitions

 

2.           Classifications

 

3.           Grading Committee

 

4.           Conditions of Service

 

5.           Salaries

 

6.           Dispute Resolution

 

7.           Savings Provision

 

8.           No Extra Claims

 

9.           Area, Incidence and Duration

 

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 Psychologist 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.

 

(i)      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 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.

 

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 2023 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 2023, 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 2023 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

 

The Commission makes this Award on the basis that the parties have provided the following undertaking: Other than as provided for in the Industrial Relations Act 1996 (or its successor however described), 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 2025 by a party to this Award.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties may, during the term of this Award, discuss additional opportunities for system improvements and, if agreed, a further pay increase may be provided to recognise the contribution of employees to those system improvements.

 

9.  Area, Incidence and Duration

 

(i)                This Award takes effect from 1 July 2024 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 2024.

 

(ii)              This Award rescinds and replaces the Health and Community Employees Psychologists (State) Award 2023 published 1 September 2023 (395 I.G.1) 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

 

In the period 1 July 2024 to the commencement of the first full pay period on or after 1 July  2024, the applicable rates of pay are those that applied immediately prior to the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024.

 

Table 1 - Salary Rates

 

Classification	Rate from ffppoa 01/07/24 Increase 3.5% Per annum $
Psychologists
Psychologist
1st year of service	77358
2nd year of service	81346
3rd year of service	85330
4th year of service	90311
5th year of service	95295
6th year of service	100276
7th year of service	105258
8th year of service	109246
9th year of service and thereafter	113226
Senior
1st year of service	119206
2nd year of service	124191
3rd year of service and thereafter	129171
Clinical
1st year of service	109247
2nd year of service	115219
3rd year of service	121201
4th year of service	127182
5th year of service and thereafter	133156
Senior Clinical
1st year of service	139137
2nd year of service	143121
3rd year of service and thereafter	147108
Principal Clinical
1st year of service and thereafter	167036
Part-time Psychologists
(Applicable only to staff employed prior to 30 June 1993 (see DOH Circular 93/58)
Psychologist
Part-Time Psychologist (per hour)	57.40
(Formula: 5th year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
Clinical Psychologist
Part-Time Clinical Psychologist (per hour)	73.00
(Formula: 3rd year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Part-Time Senior Clinical Psychologist (per hour)	86.20
(Formula: 2nd year rate ÷ 52.17857 ÷ 35 + 10%)

 

 

 

I. Taylor J, President.

 

 

 

 

 

____________________

 

 

Printed by the authority of the Industrial Registrar.