Casual Psychologist or Social Worker – Very early Intensive enrichment Program (VIP) Research Study

Location

Camperdown, NSW, Australia

Location: Sydney (intervention delivered remotely via telehealth)

Employment type: Casual (ad hoc, 12 months with the possibility of extension), approximately 4 hours per week initially

Institution: Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute

Pay Rate: $50.61 - $69.46 including casual loading, dependent on experience

About the Study

The Very Early Intensive Enrichment Program (VIP) is a clinical trial investigating very early intervention for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy, combined with wellbeing support for parents and caregivers. The program is delivered from 0-4 weeks corrected age once an infant is discharged from hospital up until they are 6 months corrected age. The VIP intervention includes weekly home-based therapy for infants delivered by an allied health team (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology), alongside weekly telehealth wellbeing support for parents delivered by a psychologist or social worker.

The VIP study is being conducted by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute and represents an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative research aimed at improving outcomes for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy and their families.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Psychologist or Social Worker based in Sydney to join our research study team in a casual contractor capacity. The parent wellbeing intervention is delivered via telehealth/online sessions, allowing flexibility for families.

In this role, you will

- Deliver weekly parent wellbeing support sessions online via telehealth, in accordance with the VIP intervention protocol.

- Provide evidence-based counselling, psychoeducation, emotional support, and practical guidance to parents of infants at high risk of cerebral palsy.

- Conduct psychosocial assessments and identify families requiring additional support or referral.

- Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary intervention team, including psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, and researchers.

- Maintain accurate clinical documentation and contribute to intervention fidelity within the clinical trial.

- Participate in training, supervision, and research-related meetings as required.

The work will be ad hoc, depending on participant enrolment. Parent support sessions are delivered via telehealth, with scheduling designed to accommodate family and clinician availability.

Essential Criteria

- Qualifications in Psychology or Social Work and registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

- Minimum 3 years clinical experience

- Demonstrated experience supporting families of infants and young children, particularly in the areas of neonatal intensive care, prematurity, new diagnoses, adjustment, grief, trauma, and parental mental health.

- Strong skills in psychosocial assessment, counselling, therapeutic intervention, and family-centred care.

- Experience working within multidisciplinary healthcare or early intervention teams.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

- Current Working with Children Check and driver's license.

- Access to reliable internet and a private space suitable for delivering telehealth sessions. Occasional attendance at training, meetings, or study-related activities may be required.

How to Apply

• To express your interest, please apply through the portal and attach:
• A brief cover letter outlining your experience relevant to the role.
• Your current CV.
• Please send enquiries to Michelle Jackman at [email protected] with the subject line:
• “Psychologist/Social Worker– VIP study”
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

More information about working for CPA

CPA is committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people with diverse lived experience and will happily accommodate reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

We have assessed this role type as requiring a Medium level of physical functionality with some inherent requirements. For more information on what that may mean for this role please click here.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Cerebral Palsy Alliance upholds, advocates for, and protects the rights, wellbeing and safety of people with a disability. We are a child safe organisation and all workers are responsible to adhere to the NDIS Worker Code of Conduct.