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.