Job Description
Better support, better outcomes: help people in custody with disabilities get the care they need.
Help people in custody understand their disability and better manage their behaviours.
Full-time role until early 2026. Excellent secondment/fixed-term contract opportunity for career growth.
Earn $+5,102 – $107,+05 per year plus super (VPS Grade 4).
Hybrid role – work from home, CBD-based head office and Victorian correctional facilities.
Where you will be working
The prison disability support initiative (PDSI) is a state-wide rehabilitation service that assists people in custody with cognitive impairments and complex disability needs. The PDSI is a unit within Corrections Victoria, which is part of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
The PDSI aims to:
Identify prisoners with neurological and physical impairments.
Assess disability needs to inform decisions on placement, case management and rehabilitation.
Educate corrections staff on how to better understand and support the people in their care.
Link individuals with appropriate disability support services.
What you will do
As a clinician for the PDSI, you will support people in Victorian prisons who have suspected or confirmed cognitive impairment, such as an acquired brain injury (ABI), dementia or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Unlike forensic intervention service (FIS) clinicians, your work will not focus explicitly on a person's offending. Instead, you will help people in custody understand their disability and better manage their behaviours.
You will:
Develop support plans and deliver clinical intervention for people with cognitive disability to help improve daily functioning.
Provide advice and educate prison staff and support teams on how to best care for the individuals in your caseload.
Keep accurate clinical records and ensure all work follows professional and legal guidelines.
Participate in training and team development to improve services.
Why work with us
There are many advantages of working as a clinician with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, including:
✔ A fair salary – enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options
✔ Your professional association membership or registration funded annually (e.g. PBA/AHPRA, AASW)
✔ Individual and group supervision, as well as any additional supervision required as part of professional registration requirements.
✔ Transparent performance framework – approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
✔ Employee assistance program (EAP) – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you are experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues.
✔ A relocation allowance may be available for eligible candidates.
Preferred experience
To thrive in this role, a background in supporting individuals with disabilities will be valuable.
You will also need:
Registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or another relevant tertiary qualification.
A current Victorian driver's licence.
Provisional psychologists may be considered.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
To find out more about the role, please read the position description or contact our recruitment team at [email protected].
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.
Help people in custody understand their disability and better manage their behaviours.
Full-time role until early 2026. Excellent secondment/fixed-term contract opportunity for career growth.
Earn $+5,102 – $107,+05 per year plus super (VPS Grade 4).
Hybrid role – work from home, CBD-based head office and Victorian correctional facilities.
Where you will be working
The prison disability support initiative (PDSI) is a state-wide rehabilitation service that assists people in custody with cognitive impairments and complex disability needs. The PDSI is a unit within Corrections Victoria, which is part of the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
The PDSI aims to:
Identify prisoners with neurological and physical impairments.
Assess disability needs to inform decisions on placement, case management and rehabilitation.
Educate corrections staff on how to better understand and support the people in their care.
Link individuals with appropriate disability support services.
What you will do
As a clinician for the PDSI, you will support people in Victorian prisons who have suspected or confirmed cognitive impairment, such as an acquired brain injury (ABI), dementia or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Unlike forensic intervention service (FIS) clinicians, your work will not focus explicitly on a person's offending. Instead, you will help people in custody understand their disability and better manage their behaviours.
You will:
Develop support plans and deliver clinical intervention for people with cognitive disability to help improve daily functioning.
Provide advice and educate prison staff and support teams on how to best care for the individuals in your caseload.
Keep accurate clinical records and ensure all work follows professional and legal guidelines.
Participate in training and team development to improve services.
Why work with us
There are many advantages of working as a clinician with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, including:
✔ A fair salary – enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options
✔ Your professional association membership or registration funded annually (e.g. PBA/AHPRA, AASW)
✔ Individual and group supervision, as well as any additional supervision required as part of professional registration requirements.
✔ Transparent performance framework – approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
✔ Employee assistance program (EAP) – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you are experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues.
✔ A relocation allowance may be available for eligible candidates.
Preferred experience
To thrive in this role, a background in supporting individuals with disabilities will be valuable.
You will also need:
Registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or another relevant tertiary qualification.
A current Victorian driver's licence.
Provisional psychologists may be considered.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
To find out more about the role, please read the position description or contact our recruitment team at [email protected].
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Clinician, position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Melbourne offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
