Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD researcher Ms Jodie Goldney has developed an online test to assess the personal attributes of prospective workers seeking employment in mental health.

The test explores how well the individual performs against nine bench-marked attributes which provides the user with an overview of their performance against these attributes. 

"The attributes measured online include the ability of a worker to reflect objectively on their actions, build rapport, focus on people, suspend judgement, explore many solutions to a problem, maintain professionalism, advocate for clients, preserve their own mental health, and sit in the space of discomfort," Ms Goldney said.

 "The tool indicates the strengths of a worker to an employer, and highlights opportunities for professional development and growth with targeted training approved by the mental health sector."

Development of these tools is of particular importance to the community services sector, with the current roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. 

With an estimated shortfall in this sector's national workforce of 70 000, these tools are expected to aid in the provision of suitable, best-practice, and ethical client care.

"I am passionately interested in job roles that impact on the community services sector," Ms Goldney said.

"If we can capture the 'x-factor' which allows one individual to execute their job well, particularly with our client group, we will have done a great thing."

Ms Goldney's interest in this area arose out of her PhD research through CSU which examined, "How psychologists practice within a discipline that values scientifically generated knowledge but provides no endorsed avenues for valuing their knowledge derived through practice." 

After presenting research findings at a recent Australian Psychological Society conference, Ms Goldney was approached by Mr John Malone, CEO of Aftercare one of Australia's leading not-for-profit providers of mental health services, to develop an online assessment now available through the Professional Practice Academy.

The Professional Practice Academy is currently awaiting announcement of a world-wide patent on the online tool, indicating it would be a world first.

Ms Goldney is optimistic that the tool can also be adapted to allow preliminary assessment of prospective carers for aged people and people with disabilities, which she is currently developing for team leaders and support workers.

"Our aim is to develop online tools for all job roles that touch on the community services sector. We are turning current recruitment practice on its head.

"Instead of employing people because of the degree they hold, we want to employ people because they are a good match for the job. We want to facilitate effective recruitment and job matching," she said.

Ms Goldney aims to complete her doctoral studies and graduate from the School of Psychology at CSU in Bathurst in December this year.