Psychologist PhD, Health Psychology Service (1.0 FTE, 1-year contract)

The SickKids Psychology department has recently initiated a general Health Psychology Service (HPS). HPS Health Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat behavioural and socio-emotional problems in children seen medically across the hospital on an outpatient basis. The role includes a focus on psychological treatments and caregiver coaching that supports adjustment to and coping with new or chronic health conditions and treatment protocols, promote healthy behaviour and treatment compliance, procedural anxiety, and reduce psychological distress related to their medical condition. HPS psychologists work in collaboration with medical and psychosocial teams across the hospital to enhance patient health and well-being and reduce the burden of care on medical teams in the process. 

Here's What You'll Get To Do:

• Conduct psychological consultations and screenings, as well as comprehensive diagnostic assessments to evaluate a child's psychological and social-emotional functioning in the context of their chronic health challenges.  

• Provide assessment feedback and recommendations to patients, families, and interdisciplinary medical providers to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing care. 

• Deliver evidence-based psychological intervention to patients and families, in both individual and group formats, and collaborate with medical teams through consultation on treatment progress and care planning.  

• Provide ongoing correspondence updating intervention progress and relevant recommendations to medical teams. 

• Collaborate with team members in the Health Psychology Service, as well as other colleagues with relevant expertise, to ensure care is delivered at the cutting edge of pediatric psychology practice. 

• Consult and collaborate with medical and other professional staff in medical clinics to enhance the health and well-being of our patients and their families. 

• Provide consultation to school teams and other health, community and educational professionals, promoting collaboration and comprehensive support for the child. 

• Enhance the medical team's ability to address the psychosocial needs of the child and their family by complementing and expanding existing services. 

• Work independently and collaboratively as a valued member of multiple interdisciplinary teams. 

• Participate in clinical research, identify questions and gaps in knowledge for health psychology interventions, contribute to clinic development initiatives, and engage in quality improvement projects. 

• Provide supervision and mentorships to trainees. 

Here's What You'll Need:

• Completion of a CPA/APA recognized Ph.D. degree program in Clinical or Health Psychology with a pediatric/developmental focus. 

• Minimum two (2) years related experience in a paediatric health psychology setting. Experience working in a hospital environment and, in particular, a general Health Psychology Service - is a strong asset. 

• Registered, or eligible for registration, with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario for autonomous practice. 

• A declared and approved health psychology competency as part of registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (or initiated retraining plan). 

• Experience delivering CBT and ACT, with additional training and experience in Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention and other therapeutic modalities (e.g. DBT,  EFFT). 

For additional information and to apply: JO 24161, Psychologist, Health Psychology Service