"Empowering Rehabilitation and Transforming Lives: Neuropsychology at Barwon Health"

Exploring the Role of Clinical Neuropsychologists at Barwon Health

Clinical Neuropsychologists at Barwon Health (BH) play a pivotal role in the assessment, consultation, and intervention for a diverse range of clients with various neurological and psychiatric conditions. The work undertaken by these professionals has a profound impact on patient health outcomes and rehabilitation efforts. In this article, we will delve into the world of Clinical Neuropsychologists at BH, exploring their responsibilities, the uniqueness of their role, and the reasons why this work is both fulfilling and essential.

Clinical Neuropsychology at BH: A Glimpse into the Role

Barwon Health (BH) provides rich, rewarding experiences in the field of clinical neuropsychology. The role of a clinical neuropsychologist transforms into a journey of multidisciplinary collaboration, diverse patient cases, and the power to drive positive change.

Working as a Clinical Neuropsychologist in inpatient Rehabilitation at Barwon Health involves engaging with a wide spectrum of clients. Every individual admitted to the Neuro ward is referred to Neuropsychology, creating a diverse caseload that includes people with strokes, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions. Additionally, the Neuropsychology team receives referrals from various wards, seeking assistance with behaviour support and queries related to decision-making capacity.

The typical workday for a Clinical Neuropsychologist is a dynamic blend of activities. It encompasses individual client work such as assessments and psychoeducation, participation in team meetings such as case conferences and huddles, and collaborative rehabilitation work involving joint sessions and family meetings. The workload is finely balanced, with each Neuropsychologist handling a caseload of around 5 to 6 clients, the complexity of which determines the number.

April Philpott, a dedicated clinical neuropsychologist, offers a glimpse why she loves working in this field at BH “I love working in inpatient rehabilitation because no two days are the same. We get to work with such a wide variety of patients and families. We also work closely with our medical, nursing and allied health colleagues and always feel well-supported with challenging cases. The teams we work with are so collaborative and have a great sense of humour when needed too.”

April affirms that “working within a large psychology department also ensures frequent opportunities for both formal and informal supervision and professional development activities. Not to mention the beautiful bayside setting near amazing beaches and great regional lifestyle. Barwon Health really does tick all the boxes for me.”

Alex Konski, a clinical neuropsychologist starting her career in the registrar program at Barwon Health says “Working as a neuropsychologist in the Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services offers the opportunity to carry out comprehensive assessments but also focus on intervention and therapy. Each patient is unique and neuropsychological pictures are varied. This keeps things interesting and allows creativity in thinking about ways to work with and support consumers in a meaningful way.”

2. Diverse Roles, Facilities, and Programs

BH offers two different grades for Clinical Neuropsychologists, Grade 2 and Grade 3, each with distinct responsibilities and leadership roles. Grade 2 Clinical Neuropsychologists are responsible for neuropsychological assessments, consultations, and client-centered interventions within the health service setting with a caseload of 5-6 patients. They collaborate closely with the service team to enhance the effectiveness of interventions. Grade 3 Clinical Neuropsychologists, on the other hand, hold a senior role with responsibilities encompassing neuropsychological assessments, consumer-centered interventions, and professional leadership within the service team. They are also involved in supervising junior psychologists and students.

The Neuropsychologists at BH benefit from comprehensive support systems. They are part of a large team of Neuropsychologists and Clinical Psychologists, which provides a conducive environment for skill development and experience sharing. Professional growth is fostered through one-on-one and peer supervision, along with a plethora of professional development and skills training opportunities.

3. The Uniqueness and Fulfilment of the Role

One of the distinctive aspects of this role is the variety it offers. Clinical Neuropsychologists in Inpatient rehabilitation are involved in behaviour support initiatives for wards, including the formulation of behaviour support plans and team behaviour meetings. They also play a pivotal role in stroke education for clients, enabling them to make informed decisions about their rehabilitation journey. This diversity extends to pursuing personal areas of interest, developing groups, and conducting research in passionate fields.

Neuropsychologists also contribute significantly to maximizing the effectiveness of rehabilitation. By understanding individual learning mechanisms, they tailor approaches to help patients derive the maximum benefit from their recovery process. This role, therefore, directly impacts patient health outcomes, enhancing their quality of life.

Neuropsychology is part of the multidisciplinary team working together to support Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services consumers to lead more fulfilling lives. It has been demonstrated that cognitive dysfunction is an important predictor of community functioning. Neuropsychologists working in this area contribute to the consumer care in a variety of ways through assessment, diagnostic clarification and intervention strategies.? This can be essential in disentangling cognitive and neurological difficulties from mental health symptoms, ensuring treatment plans are tailored to the individual.? It may also make the difference in the level of support consumers with disability can access in the community. Working alongside other allied health staff, lived experience peer workers, nurses and psychiatrists provides an amazing opportunity to stretch your own therapy skills and build capacity of other professionals to recognise and effectively respond to cognitive difficulties

4. Our Strategic Plans and Why we Stand Out

BH's Neuropsychology department has strategically shifted its focus to engage Neuropsychologists more directly in interventions and rehabilitation efforts, moving away from a sole consultant or assessment-based model. This approach enhances the impact of Neuropsychologists on patient care and recovery. In mental health our neuropsychologists are leading the way in demonstrating how cognitive interventions and tailored supports can be as important for recovery as first line medical treatments.

What sets BH apart is the access to a vast team of psychologists with diverse expertise. This collaborative environment fosters continuous learning and knowledge exchange, ensuring that there's always someone to provide advice or a second opinion. The health service emphasizes professional development through on-site sessions, and its friendly atmosphere promotes both social connections and professional support.

5. A Message from Jenny our Team Leader and a Call to Action

Jenny, the BH Team Leader of the Neuropsychology department, highlights that “Neuropsychology at BH is expanding all the time.? Over the years we have moved from one Neuropsychologist to now having 14 Neuropsychs associated with Barwon Health.? One of the things I have always appreciated about Barwon Health has been the opportunities that constantly come up - whether that is to develop a new group or service, to become involved in Barwon Health or regional working groups or to take on project work.? Public health offers great support to clinicians so that you can get on and “do” – in private practice the early conversations are often about confirming funding and it is great when you can just focus on where you can help.”

Clinical Neuropsychologists at Barwon Health are both dynamic and impactful. Their contributions span diverse clinical scenarios, and their interventions directly influence patient rehabilitation and wellbeing. BH stands out for its supportive team environment, fostering professional growth and collaboration. With the guidance of leaders like Jenny, the Neuropsychology department continues to evolve, offering opportunities that enable professionals to excel and truly make a difference in the lives of those they serve. Please apply online to our open Grade 2 and 3 roles and embark in this journey with us. Together we can create meaningful change to our patient and community.

Apply with us today https://lnkd.in/gPDSAGJf

Article written by Jacinta Kenny, Talent Acquisition Manager, Barwon Health