Application
This unit was developed for military personnel required to prepare and conduct of a mental health screening interview for an ADF member. It also includes completing all post-screen administration.
The persons performing these tasks will be employed within a specialised employment field relating to the practice of ADF psychology. The person will perform these tasks under supervision of a Mental Health Professional. A mental health screen is typically conducted for ADF personnel after a period of operational service or a critical incident. The aim of the mental health screen is to provide early identification and intervention of mental health illness. The mental health screen is not counselling or psychotherapy.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for a mental health screening interview | 1.1 Relevant documents are gathered and prepared in accordance with organisations instructions. 1.2 Verbal brief on the purpose and process of the mental health screening interview is provided to clients. 1.3 Psychological screening questionnaire in administered to client, and scored in accordance with relevant instructions. 1.4 The psychological record of the client is reviewed prior to the screening interview, as required based on findings of screening questionnaire. |
2. Conduct a mental health screening interview | 2.1 The screening interview tool is used to guide the interview process and record client responses. 2.2 Communication techniques are applied, as necessary, to encourage cooperation and the honest exchange of information relevant to the purpose of the interview. 2.3 The principles of a screening interview are applied to establish an environment of trust and mutual respect. 2.4 Negative responses and conflict are handled constructively and effectivel. 2.5 Client behaviour and responses are observed and noted for further exploration. 2.6 Questioning is used to determine moods, emotions and areas of concern of the client in accordance with guidelines. 2.7 Key issues and client concerns are determined and recorded in accordance with guidelines. 2.8 Clients in crisis are recognised and responded to in accordance with guidelines. 2.9 Referral options and screening outcomes are considered and discussed with the client in accordance with guidelines. 2.10 Education or support options are outlined to the client as required. 2.11 Interview is concluded in a sincere, courteous and friendly manner in accordance with guidelines. |
3. Perform post-mental health screening interview administration | 3.1 Notes made during interview and other relevant information is retained and recorded in accordance with organisational requirements. 3.2 Psychology screening record is completed in accordance with organisational requirements. 3.3 Referral to mental health professional is prepared and submitted in accordance with organisational requirements. 3.4 Verbal feedback is provided to mental health professional about the clients identified issues and concerns. 3.5 Individual psychology documents are updated, stored and/or returned in accordance with organisational privacy and security requirements. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
Communicate detailed and technical testing procedures to individuals or groups Literacy skills to clearly articulate administrative procedures and draft written reports Numeracy skills to accurately analyse and validate psychometric test results Organisational skills to manage own tasks within timeframes Problem-solving skills to apply a broad range of problem-solving strategies to work outcomes Self-management skills to consistently evaluate and monitor own performance Facilitation skills to coordinate testing groups efficiently and effectively Using information technology including common software packages such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases, e-mail, and customised electronic psychological testing and record keeping systems Take notes whilst communicating effectively Accurately observe and correctly interpret client behaviour Communicate in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner Maintain client confidentiality Apply interviewing micro-skills Apply first-aid to an injured persons Apply organisational privacy and security requirements |
Required Knowledge |
ADF mental health technical manuals, policy, processes and procedures Reporting requirements relating to observed client behaviour Legislative requirements relating to collection, storage, disposal and release of psychological information Psychological screening interview tools Interviewing micro-skills Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques Cultural diversity Culture and trauma management Own cultural bias/beliefs Principles of early intervention Organisational codes of conduct, practices and ethics Organisational and own scope of practice (limitations/boundaries) Safe working policy and practices Privacy and confidentiality policy and procedures Duty of care Symptoms of psychological distress Self-care principles Common mental health illnesses Psycho-education strategies such as stress management, operational stress, critical incident mental health support, anger management, relaxation techniques, sleep and fatigue management, grief, trauma reactions, problem solving, alcohol and other drug abuse, suicide first aid Referral options and procedures |
Evidence Required
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: use appropriate attending behaviours, effective interviewing micro-skills and questioning techniques an ability to gather appropriate information for referral action and implement the outcomes of a psychological screen, and complete and report activity outcomes accurately in accordance with relevant instructions Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated on at least four occasion including at least two different types of screening interviews |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment. Specific resources for assessment Access to: Suitable environment for screening interview Screening interview tools Access to relevant psychological documents Role players (clients) |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Documents may include: | administrative applications personal history profile personal psych files and documents psych referrals psychology assessment record psychology document folder psychology reports psychology test record recruiting psychology report |
Psychological screening questionnaires may include: | Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Deployment experience questionnaire Kessler 10 Questionnaire Major Stressors Inventory Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Check List – Civilian Traumatic Stress Exposure Scale – Revised |
Screening interview tools may include: | Critical Incident Mental Health Support (CIMHS) Post Operational Psychological Screening (POPS) Return to Australia Psychological Screening (RTAPS) Special Psychological Screening |
Communication techniques may include: | active listening asking questions in the interview confrontation direct and indirect questioning encouragers eye contact intentional non-attending non-verbal communication paraphrasing content perception checking phrasing questions qualities of voice reflecting feeling/meaning requests for clarification summarising tracking |
Principles of screening interview may include: | client well-being empathy listening no harm resistance respect |
Referral options and screening outcomes may include: | feedback to client immediate follow-up provision of psycho-educational training referral to a mental health professional routine follow-up |
Education or support options may include: | alcohol tobacco and other drugs preventative programs anger management grief reaction problem solving relaxation techniques sleep hygiene stress management |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.