Senior Psychologist
A Senior Psychologist is required for a locum position with the Irish Prison Service in Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
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:
* Completing and supervising comprehensive assessments and formulating individuals referred to the psychology service.
* Developing behaviour monitoring procedures for each individual.
* Providing a significant specialist contribution to the multi-disciplinary Care and Management Planning for each person.
* Engaging in and supervising evidence-based psychological interventions as recommended in the Care and Management Plan.
The Senior Psychologist will assess and intervene with people who have been referred to the IPS Psychology Service in relation to mental health difficulties, offence-specific needs, developmental disorders, intellectual difficulties, cognitive decline, traumatic brain injuries, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Interventions may include group and 1:1 evidence-based interventions. Regular contact is maintained with community agencies involved in the support and resettlement of people leaving custody. The Service also works with families and carers of those in custody.
Clinically appropriate, time-limited community intervention(s) may be provided to support a client's transition from custody to community.
Qualifications and Competencies:
* Eligibility for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS).
* A postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by PSI or in Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI.
* A minimum of 2 years post-graduate experience as a Psychologist.
Desirable but not essential requirements include experience addressing emotional, mental health, and offence-related difficulties with a forensic population, providing consultation, education, guidance, and support to multidisciplinary colleagues, and further therapeutic or research qualifications.