Psychologist Drug Health Forensic Team MERIT and Drug Court

Looking for a way to make a real impact on our community? Be at the forefront of a dynamic workforce utilising innovative, evidence-based skills and interventions to professionally support people requesting assistance with alcohol and drug use.

With a rewarding career in alcohol and other drugs, you can be part of the vibrant and professional team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

Our benefits:

• A collaborative, teams-based multi-disciplinary approach to patient care
• Engaging and intellectually stimulating work
• A team that is inclusive, respectful, and values the diverse communities it serves
• A position dedicated to empowering others to achieve their goals
• Paid Allocated Day Off (ADO) every month, in addition to your annual leave
• Staff & family affordable Fitness Passport for gyms, pools, and services
• Salary Packaging – lowers your taxable income and increase your take-home pay

Employment type: Permanent Full Time
Position classification: Psychologist
Remuneration: $77,358 - $113,226 per annum
Hours per week: 38 (Job share may be considered for part time hours)
Requisition ID: REQ613449

Who we are:

Based at Cumberland Hospital, this role is part of the Drug Health Forensic Team, delivering essential psychological services within the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) and Adult Drug Court programs. You’ll join a team dedicated to improving health, wellbeing, and recovery outcomes for people navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

The alcohol and other drugs team work for the greater good through an open, flexible and dynamic, strengths-based approach. We listen to understand, not label.

We are an inclusive and committed team where staff are encouraged to bring their whole self to work, and are proud that our team is as diverse as the vibrant communities we support.

What you’ll be doing:

Using innovative, evidence-based skills and interventions, you will professionally support individuals seeking assistance with alcohol and drug use. You will take a trauma-informed approach and provide respectful, person-centred care, tailored to individual’s needs. Central to your role will be employing an individualised, holistic approach to care, incorporating comprehensive care planning to address the diverse physical, emotional, and social aspects of each person’s journey.

As a Psychologist, you’ll provide high-quality clinical services to individuals involved in court diversion programs, focusing on substance use and comorbid mental health conditions.

• Deliver comprehensive assessments and targeted treatment planning
• Provide individual and group evidence-based interventions
• Prepare high-quality court reports and liaise with legal stakeholders
• Offer case management and holistic support in a multidisciplinary context
• Respond effectively to crisis situations, ethical challenges, and complex behaviours

A psychologist position in the alcohol and other drugs sector offers a challenging and rewarding specialisation. It provides the opportunity to take pride in the field, with a strong focus on human rights and intellectually stimulating work.

Your contribution as a healthcare professional will have a meaningful and positive impact, which is felt at a community level.

Criteria:

Candidates will need to meet the following criteria:

1.   Current psychologist resigtration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

2.   Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and proven problem-solving ability within a clinical setting.

People of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply.

More information:

  1) Download the Position Description
  2) Find out more about applying for this position.

For role related queries or questions contact Annabel Persson at annabel.persson@health.nsw.gov.au

This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined in the NSW Health OASV Policy (Page 11). You will be required to complete the OASV Undertaking/ Declaration Form and TB Assessment Tool during the recruitment process. Please upload this with your application along with any other vaccination evidence that you may have. 

NSW Health is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards.

Applications close: 26th October 2025