Senior Psychologist - Irish Prison Service – Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Job Description:
Portlaoise prison is a closed high security prison for adult males.
It is the committal prison for those sent to custody from the Special Criminal Court and prisoners accommodated here include those linked with subversive crime.
Responsibilities:
As a Senior Psychologist, you will be responsible for the completion and or supervision of comprehensive assessments and formulation of individuals referred to the psychology service and will take a lead on developing behaviour monitoring procedures for each individual.
You will provide a significant specialist contribution to the multi-disciplinary Care and Management Planning for each person, ensuring that recommendations are linked to the person's formulation.
You will engage in and supervise evidence based psychological interventions as recommended in the Care and Management Plan.
Key Tasks:
Assess and intervene with people who have been referred to the IPS Psychology Service in relation to any, or a combination of the following:
a) mental health difficulties including, but not exclusive to: Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Disorders of Personality and Behaviour, complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour, Eating Disorders, Psychosis and Schizophrenia, Addiction,
b) offence-specific needs, including the need for formal offence related risk assessments, preparation of Parole Board reports, offence related group and individual work, complex case consultation and risk management work.
Interventions include a variety of evidence based group and 1:1 interventions.
Collaboration and Communication:
Prison-based Psychologists have regular contact with community agencies involved in the support and resettlement of people leaving custody.
They also work with the families and carers of those in custody.
Where clinically appropriate, IPS Psychologists provide time-limited community intervention(s) to support a client's transition from custody to community.
Requirements:
Candidates must:
(a) Be eligible for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS).
and
(b) (i) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by PSI.
or
(b) (ii) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI.
(c) Hold a minimum of 2 years post graduate experience as a Psychologist
Desirable Requirements:
Experience in addressing emotional, mental health and offence-related difficulties with a forensic population and a group setting.
Experience of providing consultation, education, guidance and support to multidisciplinary colleagues.
Further therapeutic or research qualifications.