Senior Clinical Psychologist Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior clinical psychologist to join our team in providing high-quality, evidence-based psychological services within the Housing First model.
The successful candidate will have a pivotal role within the multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively with colleagues to deliver coordinated care planning and delivery. They will provide specialist input, contributing to high-quality clinically informed practice and promoting person-centred care.
Key Responsibilities:
* Delivery of Psychological Services:
* Delivering high-quality psychological services in line with evidence-based practice and the principles of the Housing First model.
* Working collaboratively with Integrated Case Managers and Housing Support Teams to ensure coordinated, person-centred care planning and delivery.
* Managing a clinical caseload appropriate to the needs of the Housing First client group.
* Conducting comprehensive psychological assessments, drawing on a range of tools including psychometric tests, self-report measures, observation, and interviews with clients, keyworkers, and relevant stakeholders.
* Developing and implementing individualised psychological care plans and therapeutic interventions informed by robust clinical formulation and in collaboration with MDT colleagues and partners.
* Taking clinical responsibility for the assessment, intervention, and discharge planning of clients receiving psychological care.
* Contributing a psychological perspective to MDT care planning, joint case reviews, and multidisciplinary meetings.
* Providing timely, accurate, and professional reports in line with relevant clinical, ethical, and legal standards.
* Supporting the development and embedding of Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma-Informed Practice across the Housing First service.
* Actively contributing to integrated service provision through effective communication, information sharing, and collaboration with team members and external stakeholders.
* Building and maintaining strong working relationships with statutory and voluntary services to support coordinated care pathways.
Leadership and Management:
* Strategic Clinical Leadership:
* Providing strategic clinical leadership within the Housing First MDT, supporting the development and delivery of high-quality, evidence-based psychological and therapeutic services.
* Line managing assigned MDT members, ensuring effective supervision, performance management, and professional development.
* Working collaboratively within their own discipline alongside the Assistant Director of Nursing to support integrated and coordinated care.
* Fostering a cohesive, collaborative team culture, promoting shared decision-making and reflective practice within a trauma-informed, person-centred framework.
* Actively contributing to the operational planning, development, and evaluation of clinical services, in collaboration with the ADON and stakeholders.
* Leading and supporting service development initiatives that enhance outcomes for Housing First participants, particularly those with complex mental health and social care needs.
* Representing the psychological component of the MDT in collaborative work with key stakeholders, including the HSE, DCC, and Housing Support providers.
* Ensuring that clinical practices align with national policy, Housing First principles, and the service level agreement, with robust governance and adherence to professional standards.
* Overseeing and contributing to the collection and analysis of clinical data and outcomes, informing service improvement and resource prioritisation.
Clinical Governance:
* Clinical Risk Assessment and Management:
* Implementing and monitoring clinical risk assessment and management procedures to safeguard clients and staff, particularly in the context of complex and high-risk presentations.
* Ensuring appropriate clinical supervision structures are in place for psychology and relevant MDT staff, in line with professional requirements.
* Contributing to the development, implementation, and review of clinical policies, protocols, and procedures specific to the Housing First programme.
* Leading or participating in clinical audits and quality assurance initiatives to monitor effectiveness, identify gaps, and inform service enhancements.
* Ensuring compliance with data protection, documentation, and record-keeping standards, including the secure management of sensitive client information.
* Collaborating with MDT leads to review adverse events, complaints, and incidents, supporting transparent learning and service improvement.
* Promoting reflective practice and ethical decision-making within the MDT, including structured debriefing and peer review where appropriate.
* Championing service user involvement and feedback in shaping clinical governance processes and service delivery.
Research and Evaluation:
* Evaluation of Clinical Work and Outcomes:
* Participating in ongoing evaluation of clinical work and outcomes to inform service development and quality improvement.
* Supporting data collection, analysis, and reporting on psychological interventions and outcomes.
* Contributing to research initiatives and service audits that promote best practice within the Housing First MDT.
Professional Knowledge and Experience:
* Expertise in Comprehensive Psychological Assessments:
* Demonstrated expertise in conducting comprehensive psychological assessments for individuals with multiple and complex needs, including co-occurring mental health, substance use, trauma, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
* Advanced skills in developing integrative case formulations grounded in bio-psycho-social frameworks, incorporating evidence-based psychological theories to guide collaborative care planning.
* Proven ability to design and implement tailored treatment plans that are trauma-informed and aligned with the unique needs and strengths of each individual.
* Competence in delivering a range of generalist and specialist psychological interventions to individuals, groups, and families, using flexible, person-centred approaches that promote engagement and continuity of care.
* Capacity to facilitate access and sustained engagement with wider community-based supports and resources that enhance recovery, social inclusion, and quality of life.
Required Qualifications:
* Postgraduate Professional Qualification:
* A recognised postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical Psychology (Doctoral level NFQ 10 or equivalent) as validated by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or an equivalent body.
* Full registration with the PSI (or eligibility for same) under the Clinical Division.
* A minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience working in a clinical setting, with at least 2 years at a senior level.
* Demonstrated experience in working with individuals with complex and enduring mental health needs, including dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use), trauma, homelessness, and/or neurodiversity.
* Formal training and supervised experience in psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention using a range of evidence-based models (e.g., CBT, ACT, DBT, trauma-informed approaches).
* Proven track record in multi-disciplinary and inter-agency collaboration, with experience contributing to clinical governance, service development, and staff training.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality clinical reports and contribute to case reviews, audits, and quality assurance processes.
* Commitment to Housing First principles, including harm reduction, client choice, and person-centred, recovery-oriented practice.
Core Competencies:
* Excellence in Clinical Communication:
* Demonstrated excellence in clinical communication, interpersonal engagement, and client-centred service delivery.
* Proficiency in IT systems relevant to clinical documentation, case management, and data reporting.
* Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
* A high level of professional integrity, with a clear alignment to the mission, vision, and therapeutic ethos of Housing First and Coolmine, the employing organisation.
* Experience in supervising, supporting, and developing clinical staff in line with best practice standards.
* Ability to engage confidently with internal and external stakeholders of Housing First and Coolmine, influencing both operational and strategic discussions.
* Skilled in presenting at internal and external meetings, including clinical reviews, interagency forums, and stakeholder briefings.
* Strong analytical and written communication skills, including the ability to produce clinical, operational, and evaluation reports.
* Proven leadership capacity, demonstrated through guiding multidisciplinary teams during periods of growth or service development.
* Commitment to clinical excellence and continuous staff development through reflective practice, consultation, and coaching.
* Evidence of innovative thinking and solution-focused approaches to service delivery within complex care environments.
* Embodying and promoting the values, inclusive ethos, and trauma-informed principles upheld by Housing First and Coolmine.
* Commitment to creating a safe, equitable, and supportive working environment that adheres to Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety legislation.