Principal Psychologist – Brisbane, Queensland, Australia – AR-237

Position Title: Principal Psychologist
Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time/Direct Hire
Client Contact Hours: Typically 15-20 clients per week (varies based on leadership and business management responsibilities)
Location: Cleveland QLD
Reports To: Practice Director / Managing Director
Supervision Arrangements: Responsible for providing supervision to senior and junior staff, provisional psychologists, and other team members.
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Job Summary
As the Principal Psychologist with this practice, you will hold a senior leadership position, responsible for both high-level clinical practice and the overall management and strategic direction of the practice. This role combines clinical expertise with business leadership and operational oversight, ensuring the practice thrives both clinically and financially.
In this role, you will:
1. Clinical Specialist Track: Provide leadership in a specialised field of psychology, mentoring staff, contributing to research, and delivering advanced clinical services.
2. Practice Management Track: Take on full responsibility for business operations, staff management, strategic planning, and business growth.
You will be a key figure in maintaining the practice’s reputation for excellence in client care, professional development, and business innovation.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Clinical Leadership and Expertise
• Provide expert psychological assessments and interventions, especially in complex or high-risk cases.
• Lead the clinical team, providing guidance on treatment planning, case management, and advanced therapeutic interventions.
• Maintain an active caseload of complex clients while managing leadership responsibilities.
2. Specialisation and Career Development (Clinical Specialist Track)
• Establish yourself as a leading specialist in your field (e.g., trauma, autism, or another specialised area of practice).
• Contribute to practice knowledge by leading clinical training, case discussions, and professional development workshops.
• Pursue ongoing research, case studies, or publications, positioning yourself and the practice as experts in your chosen field.
• Actively contribute to public awareness initiatives and community outreach related to your specialisation.
3. Practice Management and Business Leadership (Practice Management Track)
• Oversee day-to-day practice operations, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction, financial success, and operational efficiency.
• Lead business development initiatives, including marketing strategies, service expansions, and relationship-building with referral sources.
• Manage and mentor the practice’s clinical and administrative staff, ensuring adherence to KPIs, operational goals, and practice values.
• Take responsibility for financial performance, managing budgets, controlling costs, and ensuring revenue targets are met.
4. Supervision and Mentorship
• Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to senior psychologists, junior psychologists, and provisional psychologists within the practice.
• Ensure the development and growth of staff by leading training programs, supervising clinical work, and offering guidance on ethical practice and complex case management.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative team culture, promoting professional development and shared learning.
5. Strategic Planning and Practice Growth
• Collaborate with the Practice Director to develop and implement long-term strategic plans that align with the practice’s goals for growth and service diversification.
• Identify new business opportunities, lead service innovations, and implement new psychological services or programs.
• Ensure the practice is meeting legal, ethical, and industry standards while actively pursuing opportunities for expansion and reputation enhancement.
6. Documentation and Compliance
• Ensure all clinical staff maintain high standards of documentation and record-keeping, adhering to AHPRA, APS, and privacy regulations.
• Take overall responsibility for risk management within the practice, identifying potential operational and clinical risks and ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
• Ensure that practice policies, procedures, and workflows comply with all relevant laws and professional standards.
7. External Representation and Community Engagement
• Represent the practice at industry conferences, public forums, and in relationships with other healthcare providers, contributing to the growth and recognition of this practice.
• Lead community engagement initiatives, including presentations, workshops, and partnerships with local organisations, helping to build the practice’s reputation and referral network.
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Skills and Qualifications
Essential:
• Full registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of clinical experience, with advanced expertise in a specific field of psychology.
• Proven leadership experience, including the supervision of junior and senior staff.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to manage practice operations, finances, and business development initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and lead a diverse team.
• Demonstrated ability to meet KPIs, including client retention, satisfaction, and business growth targets.
Desirable:
• Recognised as an expert or specialist in a chosen field, with additional certifications or training in this area.
• Experience in business management, including overseeing budgets, operations, and strategic planning.
• A proven track record of published research, public speaking, or contributions to industry conferences or forums.
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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Client Satisfaction and Retention:
• Ensure the practice maintains at least 90% client retention and achieves consistently high client satisfaction scores across the team.
Business Performance:
• Meet financial targets related to revenue generation, cost control, and business growth.
• Lead successful business development initiatives that contribute to the expansion of services and client numbers.
Leadership and Supervision:
• Provide effective supervision and leadership to ensure high performance across all clinical and administrative staff.
• Achieve high satisfaction and performance ratings from supervised staff and peers.
Community and Professional Engagement:
• Actively represent the practice in external forums, contributing to its reputation and business growth through public presentations, publications, or partnerships.
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Work Environment
The Principal Psychologist will work within their collaborative and supportive environment. The role is primarily based in Cleveland, but flexibility is offered depending on leadership duties and business needs. The Principal Psychologist will be key in ensuring the practice’s clinical and operational success, balancing client-facing work with leadership and management responsibilities.
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Career Progression Opportunities
As Principal Psychologist, you are at the highest clinical and management level within this practice. Future opportunities may include:
1. Taking on additional leadership responsibilities within the practice, including oversight of multiple practice locations or service lines.
2. Establishing new business ventures in partnership with the Practice Director.
3. Continuing to build your reputation and expertise in your specialised field, contributing to industry research, publications, or broader psychological practice innovations.
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