This role will suit a Psychologist with experience in high performance sport. Based in Brisbane, this role is responsible for the provision of Psychology support to athletes in the national program as well as to categorised podium, developing and emerging athletes in the QAS Athletics program.

As a Psychologist, you will be responsible for:

• Explain to the athlete/s your role and the psychology support available to them, at either a Sport induction or upon an athlete’s entry into a program.
• Complete with the athlete in the QAS Athlete Management System (AMS) any consent forms around the release or otherwise of information to specific parties (as bound by confidentiality) within 4 weeks of the athlete’s scholarship start date.
• Conduct initial health screening using an agreed screening tool within one month of the athlete commencing in a QAS supported program.
• Oversee screening follow-up and periodic health evaluations as required.
• Upload accurate and timely consultation details into the AMS within 48 hours of consulting with an athlete.
• Contribute relevant information into Athlete plans to reflect Athlete’s performance and health goals.
• In the event of an athlete’s need, arrange an appointment within a reasonable and appropriate timeframe (generally within 48 hours) to consult with and treat that athlete at the sport training venue, or onsite at QAS or at an agreed alternate location.
• If additional treatment outside of designated number of days is required, the Supplier is requested to be available to consult with injured QAS athletes at an agreed location and within a reasonable time frame. Prior approval from QAS is required to establish whether this will be at the athlete or QAS expense. Uploading notes from such consultations is required into the AMS as described in item 3.1(5) above.
• Attend performance support meetings as agreed with the Head Coach and provide guidance around athlete health and proactive measures which aim to further improve athlete performance.
• Develop professional and effective working relationships with athletes, coaches and other QAS and National support staff.
• Meet regularly with the QAS Psychology Technical Lead to review complex cases, discuss system improvements as required, and review individual performance and objective plans (iPOPs).
• All practitioners should be aware of, and work within the relevant QAS and National Sport policies, guidelines and position statements for their athletes and sport/s.
• If required, attend Sports Camps/ Events to provide relevant psychology services to athletes as mutually agreed. Attendance must be approved in writing by the QAS Head of Performance Health prior to delivery of service.

In addition to the above, may also be responsible for the following:

• Performance Psychology is the primary focus of QAS Sports Psychologists. It is accepted that on occasion, lower level clinical issues may arise that affect an athlete’s performance and are within scope of practice and manageable within a high performance environment. Where an issue is more significant or impacts on the ability to deliver in the primary Performance Psychology role, the practitioner should discuss with the Technical Lead the option of external referral for the athlete.
• A summary profiling report is to be generated and a debrief meeting conducted with QAS program coach to provide general overview and feedback, develop strategies and an action plan for development of athletes in areas of improvement as identified in the profiling summary report, and provide guidance regarding proactive actions related to health and performance.
• Maintain complete records within 48 hours of consultation (including those completed for a QAS Athlete in private practice), of the following information on the AMS within professional legal and confidentiality boundaries. All clinical notes should be entered within the secure AMS medical system. Where confidentiality concerns have been raised by the athlete, this should be noted and the details recorded in AMS must include the date, note of “contact made” and athlete agreed non-confidential information to ensure relevant support in a high-performance environment can be offered. Notes kept separate to AMS by practitioner must be stored in a secure location that meets expected AHPRA standards.
• With the athlete’s permission, provide performance notes and attendances of workshops within the confidential psychology consultation section of AMS.
• Work closely with the coach and others within the Performance Support Team (PST) to facilitate a collaborative and supportive environment to optimise athlete performance.