Locum Staff Grade Clinical or Counselling Psychologist
Portlaoise Prison
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.
The Psychology Service in Portlaoise Prison provides evidence-based psychological approaches to working with men with often complex and challenging clinical and criminogenic needs within the prison estate.
Clients require psychological assessment and intervention based on the layered model of care provided by the Service.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, Psychologists have regular contact with Prison Governors, Prison Officers and other specialists (e.g. Probation Officers, Doctors, Nurses, Psychiatrists, Teachers, Employment, and Resettlement officers).
This will involve one-to-one contact, as well as regular attendance at meetings and case conferences. Psychologists will also have contact with staff at IPS HQ in Longford.
Prior experience indicates that psychologists have regular contact with community agencies involved in the support and resettlement of offenders (e.g. after-prison support services, addiction and other counselling services, the Health Service Executive) as well as with the families of those in custody.
Staff Grade Psychologists receive supervision, support, and line management by Senior Psychologists. They provide supervision to Assistant Psychologists.
Excellent CPD opportunities are available.
Duties of the Position:
* Carry a clinical caseload and contribute to the delivery of a professional psychology service appropriate to client and IPS needs
* Carry out appropriate psychological assessments with the client group, and formulate and implement psychological therapeutic interventions or management as appropriate
* Provide professional reports as required e.g. to support the Parole Board process
* Work effectively with other team members, and participate in inter-agency work practice and service delivery as required
Essential Qualifications and Competencies:
* Candidates must:
* (a) Be eligible for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS)
* (b)(i) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by PSI
* (ii) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI
* In addition to the above, the following are desirable but not essential 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