Overview
Post Title:
Assistant Psychologist in MND Service
Post Status:
Permanent Contract
Department
Psychology
Location:
Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9
Reports to:
Head of Psychology Beaumont.
Salary:
€33,569 - One point pay scale
Hours of work:
Full time 35 hours/week
Closing Date:
12 noon on 24/12/2025
Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.
Role Summary
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterised by loss of all voluntary muscle activity, cognitive, and behavioural change and death within 3-5 years of first symptom.
The clinical management of MND/ALS is palliative from the time of diagnosis and is focussed on symptom control and adjustment to both cognitive and behavioural change, and progressive loss of neurological function and the certainty of early death.
The purpose of this Assistant Psychologist post is work within the national clinical MND service which provides advanced, specialised care and ongoing management of patients living with motor neurone disease (MND) who come under the care of the National MND service, based in Beaumont Hospital.
The successful post holder will provide cognitive and behavioural screening assessments on all appropriate patients with MND referred to the Specialist Clinic Senior Clinical Psychologist, and where relevant, will undertake more detailed neuropsychological assessments on those exhibiting early cognitive /behavioural change.
The successful candidate will also liaise with regional centres (Cork and Galway) to provide assessments when requested, and will liaise with palliative care services where appropriate.
The Psychology service is a core component of the inter-disciplinary team providing physical, psychological, social, and emotional support to patients and their family/carer through inpatient, outreach, and outpatient department services.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Clinical Psychologist in MND, and where appropriate, will liaise with other members of the MDT to provide additional psychological insights into patients and caregivers .
utilising the MND service.
Additionally, the successful candidate will engage with research staff whee appropriate.
Having a valid driver's license, a car, and the occasional ability to see patients in the community across different geographic areas of the country (if directed by the candidate's line manager, and if appropriate) is desirable for this post.
Responsibilities
The Assistant Psychologist
Professional / Clinical
Provide neuropsychological support to the National Motor Neurone Disease service and the Neurosciences Department
Undertake cognitive and behavioural screening assessments (ECAS, BBI) on all patients attending the service
Undertake detailed neuropsychological assessments of selected patients with evidence of early cognitive change
Provide support in capacity assessment where required
Abide by professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based, care planning approach
Ensure that the management of their caseload is in accordance with national service needs
Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members
Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across healthcare teams and programmes
Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care planning and in the provision of support and advice
Communicate results of assessments, treatment / care programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy / as required
Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect
Ensure the maintenance of neuropsychological assessments in accordance with local service and professional standards
Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of assessment protocols and guidelines consistent with the highest standards of patient care
Maintain professional standards in relation to confidentiality, ethics and legislation
Participate in clinical audit as required and ensure that clinical audits are performed in his/her area(s) of responsibility
Initiate and participate in research studies as appropriate
Operate within Scope of Practice – seek advice and assistance from his / her manager with any cases or issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his / her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance
Health & Safety
Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures e.g. health and safety, infection control, storage and use of controlled drugs etc
Maintain a feedback mechanism with the clinical risk manager and report to senior management team where appropriate
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role
To support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service
Will ensure that lone working arrangements and travel with use of own vehicle are consistent with recommendations with national HSE policy for travel and subsistence (available online)
Education and Training
Contribute to national MND service development through appropriate continuous education, research initiatives, keeping up to date with literature, recent research and new developments in neuropsychological management, education and practice and attend staff study days as considered appropriate
Skills, Competencies, and Knowledge
Professional Knowledge & Experience
Demonstrate practitioner competence and professionalism
Demonstrate the ability to relate neuropsychological research to clinical practice
Demonstrate an awareness of relevant legislation and policy e.g., health and safety, infection control etc
Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
Communication and Interpersonal
For example:
Demonstrates sensitivity to issues arising from multiple stakeholders
Demonstrates good negotiation skills and assertiveness as appropriate
Tailors communication to suit the needs of the audience and demonstrates sensitivity, diplomacy and tact when dealing with others
Demonstrates resilience and composure in dealing with situations
The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Qualifications
Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
1.
Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
Have completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology, and is eligible for membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
A Level 9 degree is desirable but not essential.
AND
Have at least 2 years experience in the field of psychology.
AND
Have the capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.
2.
Health
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
3.
Character
Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
Desirable
A Level 9 qualification in Psychology /Neuropsychology
Informal Enquiries ONLY to:
Name:
Professor Orla Hardiman
Title:
Consultant Neurologist, Lead, National MND service
Email address:
******
Telephone:
**********
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