Psychologist

Cankids Kidscan; Chennai District; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Cankids Kidscan seeks a qualified psychologist to lead its Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program (PPOP). The role focuses on planning, implementing, and improving comprehensive psychological care for children and adolescents with cancer, across hospital, clinic, and telehealth settings.

You will deliver trauma‑informed, developmentally appropriate therapies, supervise staff, conduct assessments, and participate in research, capacity building, and program evaluation to enhance patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master's in Clinical Psychology with pediatric specialization.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a psychologist.
• Minimum of 3 years in pediatric mental health, preferably oncology or trauma.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement the Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program (PPOP).
• Deliver psychological services face‑to‑face, online, and telephonic across illness stages.
• Conduct assessments using psychometric tools and interviews.
• Develop treatment plans and monitor progress with follow‑ups.
• Provide referrals and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Lead expressive therapies (play, art, music, storytelling).
• Lead non‑pharmacological interventions for pain and distress reduction.
• Design psycho‑educational sessions for patients and parents.

Skills

Pediatric psychology

Clinical assessment

Expressive therapies

Research skills

Education

Master's in Clinical Psychology

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program (PPOP) plays a critical role in supporting the emotional, psychological, and social well‐being of children and adolescents facing cancer, as well as their families. This position is central to the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of comprehensive psychological care across clinical, community, and telehealth settings. The incumbent will lead multidisciplinary efforts to deliver trauma‐informed, developmentally appropriate interventions, foster resilience through expressive and child life therapies, and strengthen program capacity through training, research, and strategic partnerships. By integrating clinical excellence with program innovation, this role ensures holistic support that enhances patient outcomes and quality of life throughout the cancer journey from diagnosis and treatment to palliative care and bereavement.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement the Pediatric Psycho-Oncology Program (PPOP) in alignment with organizational goals and clinical standards.
• Establish and maintain protocols, policies, and administrative frameworks to support program operations.
• Deliver psychological services through face‑to‑face, online, and telephonic interventions across all stages of illness (diagnosis, treatment, relapse, palliative, bereavement).
• Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments using psychometric tools, clinical interviews, and observational methods.
• Develop individualized treatment plans and monitor patient progress through regular follow‑ups and care coordination.
• Provide referrals and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure integrated care.
• Facilitate Sharing Caring Sessions for parents and medical teams to promote emotional support and team cohesion.
• Implement expressive therapies including play, art, music, storytelling, relaxation techniques, and clown therapy.
• Lead non‑pharmacological interventions for procedural pain and distress reduction.
• Promote child‑friendly environments through library development, wish‑granting initiatives, and age‑appropriate activities.
• Design and deliver psycho‑educational sessions for patients and parents on stress management, behavioral regulation, and coping strategies.
• Serve as a psychological consultant to healthcare team members and support the delivery of the You Are Not Alone (YANA) Program.
• Conduct capacity‑building training for psychologists, social workers, students, and allied professionals in pediatric psycho‑oncology.
• Lead research initiatives to develop and evaluate psychological interventions, with a focus on evidence‑based practice.
• Design and implement tools for impact assessment and program evaluation.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case records, patient data, and program reports (monthly, annual, case studies, and programmatic summaries).
• Develop and manage resource directories, and facilitate access to external counseling, rehabilitation, and support services.
• Contribute to other organization‑aligned projects and initiatives as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Reporting Manager.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a related field with specialization in pediatric or developmental psychology.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a psychologist in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in pediatric mental health, preferably in oncology, chronic illness, or trauma settings.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting psychological assessments and delivering evidence‑based therapies.
• Proven ability to design and implement group and expressive therapies for children and families.
• Experience in child life support, pain management, and developmental interventions.
• Strong research aptitude with experience in designing studies, collecting data, and publishing findings.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills with multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in electronic health records and documentation systems.
• Ability to work flexibly across hospital, clinic, and telehealth environments.
• Commitment to ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and patient‑centered care.
• Willingness to engage in continuous professional development and program innovation.

Job Type: Full time