Senior Psychologist - Irish Prison Service

Senior Psychologist - Irish Prison Service – Portlaoise, Co. Laois

Senior Psychologist required for locum with Irish Prison Service, Portlaoise Prison, 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.

As a Senior Psychologist, you will be responsible for the completion and or supervision of comprehensive assessments and formulation of individuals referred to the psychology service  and will take a lead on developing behaviour monitoring procedures for each individual. They will also provide a significant specialist contribution to the multi-disciplinary Care and Management Planning for each person, ensuring that recommendations are linked to the person’s formulation. You will engage in and supervise evidence based psychological interventions as recommended in the Care and Management Plan.

You will assess and intervene with people who have been referred to the IPS Psychology Service in relation to any, or a combination of the following: a) mental health difficulties including, but not exclusive to: Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Disorders of Personality and Behaviour, complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Self-Harm and Suicidal Behaviour, Eating Disorders, Psychosis and Schizophrenia, Addiction, and b) offence-specific needs, including the need for formal offence related risk assessments, preparation of Parole Board reports, offence related group and individual work, complex case consultation and risk management work. In addition to the above presentations, the Service works with people presenting with developmental disorders, intellectual difficulties, cognitive decline, traumatic brain injuries, people with limited literacy, and people from a wide variety of cultural (national and international) backgrounds.

Interventions include a variety of evidence based group and 1:1 interventions.

Prison-based Psychologists have regular contact with community agencies involved in the support and resettlement of people leaving custody.

They also work with the families and carers of those in custody. Where clinically appropriate, IPS Psychologists provide time-limited community intervention(s) to support a client’s transition from custody to community.

The Service plays a critical role in supporting the broader IPS organisation (and Criminal Justice Agency partners, as required) through consultation, training and education.

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).

and

(b) (i) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Clinical Psychology recognised by PSI. (Applicants with qualifications obtained outside of Ireland must obtain a statement of equivalence in Clinical Psychology from the Department of Health);

or

(b) (ii) Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Counselling Psychology recognised by PSI. (Applicants with qualifications obtained outside of Ireland must obtain a statement of equivalence in Counselling Psychology from the Department of Health);

(c) Hold a minimum of 2 years post graduate experience as a Psychologist

In addition to the above, the following are desirable but not essential requirement:

•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.

For further information, please contact Brian Murray on Apply/ Applyor email  Apply