In an exciting move, Metro South Health is now offering dedicated positions for psychology interns in mental health.
The one-year Psychology Internship Program (1-PIP) is an intensive supervised training program designed to support psychologists to function at full scope of practice within the mental health service.
Clinical Educator Dr Sarah Brown said 1PIP not only supported psychology workforce development and sustainability, but also provided psychology graduates with a smooth integration into the clinical setting.
“During the one-year full-time program, interns will consolidate the skills and knowledge developed during their study and experience a positive transition to professional practice within Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services (MSAMHS),” Dr Brown said.
“Within the program, the interns must pass the National Psychology Exam as a requirement to applying for general registration as a psychologist and 1-PIP has been developed with the aim of supporting them towards that.”
MSAMHS Director of Therapies and Allied Health, Dr Geoff Lau highlighted the successful implementation of 1-PIP as a fantastic example of resource sharing across Hospital and Health Services.
“West Moreton Health resources from a similar mental health allied health graduate program were effectively utilised during the planning stages of implementation,” Dr Lau said.
He said one of the key benefits of this initiative was the broader experience it provided to interns, increasing the likelihood of employees staying in service roles and improving their employability for future positions within Queensland Health.
“This move also positions MSAMHS as an ‘employer of choice’, strengthens its relationships with university stakeholders and sets the stage for addressing wider recruitment difficulties across allied health professions in the future,” he said.
“This innovative program highlights Metro South Health's commitment to advancing mental health care and creating a supportive environment for psychology interns to thrive professionally.”