Oral 06 | Are you suitable for the role and is the role suitable for you? The bi-directional nature of psychological suitability for first responders.
Tracks
Track 9
| Friday, May 15, 2020 |
| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Presenter(s)
Dr Sara Quinn
Oral 06 | Are you suitable for the role and is the role suitable for you? The bi-directional nature of psychological suitability for first responders.
12:10 PM - 12:30 PMOutline
Determining psychological suitability for first responder roles is complex and requires an awareness of the nuances of the specific workplace cultures they work in. It has been suggested that, at minimum, psychological suitability includes the absence of mental health concerns that may adversely affect performance and responsibilities inherent to the role in addition to the presence of an ability to withstand the psychological demands inherent to the role. This presentation will include a discussion about the nature of psychological suitability and the importance of creating psychologically safe cultures to ensure that first responder roles are just as suitable for individuals as the individuals are suitable for first responder roles.
Biography
Sara is a Clinical Psychologist working as a senior psychologist with the Federal Government and in private practice. She is the Chair for the ACT Section of the CCLP. Her specific clinical interests include trauma, anxiety, and relationship issues across the lifespan, in addition to promoting effective leadership and organisational wellbeing in non-for-profit, public, and private sectors. She is passionate about the health and wellbeing of first responders and has experience working at an individual, organisational, and community level.
In 2016 Sara graduated with a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the ANU and won the APS Student Prize for the CCLP. Her research in developmental psychology has led to a research role at the ANU Language Lab, as an affiliate member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language.
