Assistant Psychologist

Assistant Psychologist

Medforce Recruitmentcurrently seeking a highly motivatedPsychology Assistantto join a Childrens disability service in Athlone.

If you are a Psychology assistanteager to enhance your career in the area of Child disability, this is a great opportunity.

If you are a candidate seeking to develop your range of Clinical experience in the area of Child disability, I would like to hear from you.

This is a truly exciting opportunity to join a Supportive, Multidisciplinary team of Child disability Professionals.

Purpose of the Post:

To provide a support service and enhance the service provision and research capacity of qualified Psychologists. Following induction and training the Assistant Psychologist can undertake prescribed tasks relating to assessment and intervention commensurate with their level of competence under the supervision of a professionally qualified psychologist who will hold full clinical and professional responsibility.

Reporting relationship: The Assistant Psychologist reports to the Principal Psychology Manager or their designated officer and is responsible to the Principal Psychology Manager or their designated officer.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Work within scope of practice, limits of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance.
• Operate within their Scope of Practice – seek advice and assistance from his/her supervisor with any cases/work/issues that prove to be beyond the scope of his/her professional competence in line with principles of best practice and clinical governance.
• Work in compliance with:
• Professional Guidelines e.g. Psychological Society of Ireland's (PSI) Code of Ethics.
• National and Area Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines (e.g., Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011)
• Local policies, protocols and guidelines
• Current legislation (e.g., Data Protection Act (2003)
• In line with best practice screen written referrals and contact service users to offer initial appointments.
• In line with evidence-based practice undertake prescribed triage assessments of service users using prescribed standardised semi-structured interviews; formal psychometric instruments; and direct observation.
• Provide reports as required in accordance with required standards.
• Integrate assessment findings to inform clinical case formulations.
• Using clinical case formulations assist the qualified Psychologist(s) in the process of allocating service users to prescribed interventions based on service user preference and clinical need. Where appropriate, and in line with evidence-based practice deliver a range of prescribed brief evidence-based interventions to service users including guided self- help; psycho-educational groups; and relevant CBT e.g. computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
• Undertake prescribed supportive work with carers, family members, health staff and other professionals.
• Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members.

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Have a Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) accredited qualification at not less than a Level 8 at 2.1 honours grade on the QQI qualifications framework in which psychology was a major subject
• A Level 8 honours degree in another subject (2.1 or higher) together with an accredited conversion qualification at a minimum of (2.1) as conferring eligibility for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland
• A qualification equivalent to either (i) or (ii) which would allow the applicant to become a graduate member of the PSI.
• Experience working within the area of child disabilities and experience working as part of a team.
• An awareness and understanding of child disabilities and sufficient clinical knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
• Demonstrate the ability to assist in the delivery of care in an effective and resourceful manner.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the organisation of the Irish Health Service.

To discuss this role in detail please contact John Reid –jreid@medforce.ie

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