Job Description
Position Title: Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Department
Psychiatry
Reports To
Head of Psychiatry Department
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job Summary
The Licensed Clinical Psychologist is responsible for providing comprehensive psychological assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents, adults, and families experiencing a wide range of mental health, emotional, behavioral, and psychological conditions. The Clinical Psychologist works collaboratively with psychiatrists, physicians, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver patient-centered care while ensuring compliance with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) regulations, ethical standards, and hospital policies.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments using clinical interviews, standardized psychological tests, behavioral observations, and evidence-based assessment tools.
- Diagnose mental health disorders in accordance with the DSM-5-TR and other accepted clinical guidelines.
- Develop individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s clinical needs and goals.
- Provide evidence-based psychotherapy, including but not limited to:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Family and couples therapy (where appropriately trained)
- Monitor treatment progress and modify interventions as clinically indicated.
- Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records within the electronic medical record (EMR).
- Identify and manage patients at risk of self-harm, suicide, abuse, or violence, following hospital safeguarding and escalation procedures.
- Refer patients to psychiatrists, physicians, or other healthcare professionals when appropriate.
- Provide psychological support for patients with chronic medical illnesses and complex health conditions.
Psychological Assessment
- Administer and interpret psychometric assessments within the psychologist’s scope of practice.
- Conduct cognitive, personality, behavioral, neuropsychological (where qualified), and emotional assessments.
- Prepare comprehensive psychological reports for clinical, occupational, educational, insurance, or medico-legal purposes when required.
- Provide feedback sessions to patients and families regarding assessment findings and treatment recommendations.
Patient & Family Education
- Educate patients and families about mental health conditions, treatment options, coping strategies, and relapse prevention.
- Promote mental health awareness and psychological well-being.
- Encourage patient engagement in treatment planning and recovery.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with psychiatrists, family physicians, pediatricians, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and allied health professionals.
- Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences and treatment planning meetings.
- Coordinate continuity of care across inpatient and outpatient services.
Quality & Patient Safety
- Ensure compliance with DHA regulations, professional ethical standards, and hospital policies.
- Participate in clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives.
- Report adverse events and patient safety concerns.
- Support infection prevention and workplace safety practices.
- Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with UAE laws and professional codes of ethics.
Education & Professional Development
- Participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD/CME) activities as required for DHA license renewal.
- Maintain professional competence through ongoing education and training.
- Supervise psychology trainees or interns where authorized.
- Contribute to departmental education, workshops, and community mental health initiatives.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Complete clinical documentation accurately and within established timelines.
- Participate in departmental meetings and hospital committees as assigned.
- Assist in developing clinical pathways, treatment protocols, and mental health programs.
- Maintain professional registration and mandatory certifications.
Qualifications
- Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) or Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from a recognized institution, meeting DHA licensing requirements.
- Valid DHA License as a Clinical Psychologist or eligibility to obtain one.
- Current professional registration in the country of qualification where applicable.
Experience
- Minimum 3–5 years of post-qualification clinical experience in mental health services.
- Experience in hospital, multidisciplinary clinic, rehabilitation, or behavioral health settings is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience providing evidence-based psychotherapy across diverse patient populations.
- Experience administering and interpreting standardized psychological assessments.
Knowledge
- DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria.
- Evidence-based psychological therapies.
- Psychological assessment and psychometrics.
- Crisis intervention and suicide risk assessment.
- Trauma-informed care.
- Child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric mental health.
- Ethical and legal standards governing psychological practice.
- DHA regulations and healthcare quality standards.
- Confidentiality, safeguarding, and patient rights.
Skills
- Excellent clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
- Strong psychotherapy and counseling abilities.
- Advanced communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to establish therapeutic rapport with diverse patient populations.
- Critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
- High emotional intelligence and empathy.
- Strong documentation and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
- Effective time management and organizational skills.
Core Competencies
- Clinical Excellence
- Patient-Centered Care
- Professionalism
- Ethical Practice
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Cultural Competence
- Accountability
- Quality Improvement
- Continuous Learning
- Emotional Intelligence
Working Conditions
- Hospital outpatient clinics, inpatient units, rehabilitation centers, or mental health facilities.
- May participate in evening or weekend clinics based on operational requirements.
- Exposure to emotionally challenging clinical situations requiring resilience and professionalism.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Patient satisfaction scores.
- Timeliness and completeness of clinical documentation.
- Compliance with DHA licensing and CPD requirements.
- Clinical outcome measures and treatment goal achievement.
- Patient attendance and treatment adherence rates.
- Participation in multidisciplinary meetings and quality improvement initiatives.
- Compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
- Completion of mandatory hospital training and competency requirements.