We provide both inpatient and outpatient psychological services for patients who are aged 16 and above:
"It is real work - as real as having free roaming wildlife in our hospital campus =)"
We do the work and redesign healthcare, and it is not easy or glamourous. We are fundamentally driven to overcome and stretch ourselves because it is meaningful work for our people. Just like nature and weather which are not within our control, yet like the Alex umbrella which pops up around the campus as the dark clouds start to gather - You can be supported, and AH is here for you be it scorching heat or raining cats and dogs.
Most of my day is spent in the Clinic J/K - our Outpatient clinic. For therapy clinic sessions, I work with patients using evidenced based psychotherapy as treatment for simple to complex psychological/psychiatric disorders. For assessment clinic sessions, I assess and conduct standardised psychometric and diagnostic neuropsychological assessments. When referred, I work with patients who are currently hospitalised in AH for their psychotherapy or assessment needs. In addition to direct patient care, there is also follow-up with patients' family, related organisations and the community.
Outside of clinic room or ward, it will be office desk and laptop time! There is report writing for the completed assessments, specialist reports and more, as well as clinical notes writing. In addition, there are administrative duties and follow-ups. Some examples of it includes reading and replying to emails, referral triaging, correspondences within and external to AH, upkeep and following up on existing clinical services, needs and policies, new programmes planning and advancement, media enquiries and write-up/articles requests. I participate in physical and virtual meetings from department- to programme- to committee- levels in AH and cluster-wide.
At organisation-level, I give case discussions/specialty presentations and talks, attend trainings and workshops, conduct workshops, create and lead projects as such Project Parachute - a staff peer support project, and Project AH supPAWters - animal-assisted activities for patients and staff! I also provide clinical supervision to psychologists at NUHS.
Holistic healthcare includes mental health. These are invisible wounds and ailments. From stigma to uniqueness of individuals, the work to treat and guide our patients through their mental health difficulties is important so that they receive the help and information that they need.
A lot of behind-the scenes work is required for the visible clinical work to be possible. As such, the administrative planning/operations and co-ordination with other departments/services/programmes and policies are pivotal in the ultimate delivery of care to our people!
