Clinical or Counselling Psychologist
A Locum Clinical or Counselling Psychologist is required for the National Violence Reduction Unit (NVRU), Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
The NVRU is a co-led unit, jointly managed by an Assistant Governor (Operational Lead) and Senior Psychologist (Clinical Lead).
It provides an enhanced, psychologically informed service to individuals in custody who experience high levels of psychological distress and display high levels of violence.
The men accommodated on the NVRU present with complex forensic and clinical needs, requiring an eclectic and intensive degree of psychological assessment, support, and intervention.
The Psychology Service plays a significantly enhanced role in the day-to-day management of the Unit, influencing multiple aspects such as physical environment, staff selection, training, supervision, relational security, and psychological assessment and intervention.
The appointed Grade II Psychologist will support the development and running of the NVRU, delivering bespoke, multi-modal evidence-based psychological interventions as part of Care and Management Plans.
They will contribute to multidisciplinary plans, ensuring recommendations and interventions are linked to individual psychological formulations.
The Psychologist will also supervise and support operational staff and promote a joint operational/psychological approach within the Unit.
They will receive supervision, support, and line management from the Senior Psychologist and have access to administrative facilities, consulting rooms, computer systems, and specialist software.
Significant opportunities exist for continuing professional development (CPD), including Mentalisation Based Therapy approaches and assessment/intervention in separate areas of the prison estate.
Essential qualifications include eligibility for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or British Psychological Society (BPS), along with a postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI.
Desirable requirements include experience working with forensic populations, people who have experienced trauma, personality difficulties, and providing consultation and support to multidisciplinary colleagues.
Key Responsibilities:
* Support the ongoing development and running of the NVRU
* Deliver bespoke, multi-modal evidence-based psychological interventions
* Contribute to multidisciplinary plans and ensure recommendations are linked to individual psychological formulations
* Supervise and support operational staff
Qualifications and Competencies:
* Eligibility for graduate membership of PSI or BPS
* Postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI
* Experience working with forensic populations, people who have experienced trauma, and personality difficulties (desirable)