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PSYCHOLOGISTS RIGHTS TO PRIVATE PRACTICE A
meeting between Department of Health (DOH) Worksite Services Officers
Sue Stack and Patrick Smith, and PSA ad hoc psychologist committee
comprised of Clinical Psychologists Richard Balfour, Andrew
Livingstone and David Buob, with PSA Industrial Officers Sue Cummins
and Ian Peak occurred to discuss the introduction of Private Practice
rights for Clinical Psychologists and employed by the State
Government Health Sector.
The DOH is prepared to consider the introduction of Private Practice rights and this initial meeting was to discuss first if there was a need,
Given
the demand for psychological services and the waiting lists it was
clearly established that there is a need.
The introduction of private practice rights became more feasible upon the introduction on the 1st November 2006 of the Medicare rebates scale for clinical psychological services. See the web site http://www.psychology.org.au/members/Medicare/6.18_2.asp At this stage the PSA is suggesting that the model for private practice should be based similar to the medical model applying to full time positions in the health sector. The ad hoc group will look at the psychiatrist's model and how this may be developed for Clinical Psychologists. The PSA took this opportunity of reiterating that many Psychologists had been under-classified against the previous Professional Services Officer (PSO) structure and the PSA expected this to be rectified when assessing Psychologists against the new Professional Officer (PO) Work Level Definition. The availability of Medicare rebates will make it more difficult both to retain and recruit Clinical Psychologists. For
enquiries contact PSA Industrial Officer Sue Cummins on 8205 3260 or
email: sc@cpsu.asn.au
or Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer Ian Peak on 8205 3294 or
email: ian@cpsu.asn.au
PSA WORKING FOR YOU 19 February 2007 |
© Copyright PSA/CPSU, SPSF (SA Branch)
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