Head of Psychology

Position Summary:

The Department of Psychology aims to provide high quality, responsive and efficient assessment and treatment services to the patients of Beaumont Hospital.  Services provided by the Department of Psychology has 4 speciality divisions which include Neuropsychological, Oncology, Clinical and Health.

The department provides other clinical assessments, individual interventions and support for patients whose medical or surgical teams include the provision for psychology and group interventions open to all patients. 

The Department of Psychology operates within the Clinical Services Division of the Hospital, providing services across a number of Clinical Directorates. The role reports to the Head of Clinical Service, who holds executive and operational accountability for the Department of Psychology, alongside the Departments of Speech and Language Therapy, Medical Social Work, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Occupational Therapy, and Nutrition & Dietetics. 

The  Principal Psychology Manager/ Head of Department is responsible for providing the organisation with expert advice on all matters relating to Psychological services pertaining to a large academic teaching hospital, providing acute care and national speciality services.  

The successful candidate will have an ability to lead, motivate and communicate with professionals over a broad range of specialities, operating at high levels of management within the hospital.  He/she will have a capacity for original and independent thought and the ability to set, follow through and deliver on objectives.  He/she will have the vision to enhance and further develop the strategic course for the Department of Psychology, informed by sensitivity to issues of importance within Beaumont Hospital and the RCSI Group as a whole.  He/she will be able to identify innovative approaches to service support and development; when necessary, establishing novel frameworks, connections, alliances and structures to further the development of the Department.

Management and Governance:

The successful candidate will consolidate and develop the Department's structure as required to meet the objectives of the Hospital and service delivery.  In particular his/her duties shall include the following:

1. Hold overall and direct responsibility and be accountable for the development, management and operation of the services provided by the Department of Psychology.
2. Lead, organise and co- ordinate the work of the Department of Psychology, ensuring the highest standards of patient care are maintained and improved within the resources available and which meet with organisational goals, in consultation with the Head of Clinical Services.
3. To be responsible for the line management of all staff members within the Department of Psychology, including administrative staff.
4. Advise the Head of Clinical Services and relevant senior executive members, of the most appropriate arrangements with respect to effective and efficient delivery of the Psychology service.
5. Liaise closely with relevant Directorate Management Teams and Heads of Department to facilitate the provision of a high quality, efficient and responsive service to those directorates/departments.
6. Devise operational policies and monitor their implementation, consistent with the delivery of a high quality service and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
7. Recruit, train and lead a skilled team of staff
8. Develop a shared sense of commitment and participation among staff in the planning and development of the service.
9. Ensure the optimum and effective use of staff through efficient assignment and monitoring of departmental and staff duties, skill-mix planning, as well as workload measurement and staff deployment.
10. To ensure that appropriate governance and supervision structures are in place for all staff members.
11. Implement a staff development and individual performance management process and foster a high level of morale among staff by effective motivation and communication.
12. To provide regular supervision for staff, in accordance with guidelines as defined by the Psychological Society of Ireland. S/he may be responsible for the management of other staff as assigned by the Head of Clinical Services.
13. Take direct responsibility for the operation of financial systems within the Department of Psychology, including the development, maintenance and adaptation of budgetary control systems and budget holding accountability.
14. To devise, implement and maintain operational policies and procedures for the Department of Psychology, with regular audit, and revise as required in the light of changing service needs.
15. To be responsible for the collation and return of departmental statistical information and data, and to submit as required by the Head of Clinical Services in order to comply with Divisional and Hospital reporting deadlines.
16. To conduct documentation audits, and other departmental service audits that may be indicated in order to assess compliance against Department standards, and to ensure any required improvements are progressed in a timely manner.
17. Participate in the implementation of relevant human resource policies and procedures, and deal with human resource matters, in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
18. To be familiar with the regulations and legislation regarding disciplinary and grievance procedures, and to be responsible for implementing same as indicated.
19. To address and manage medical legal issues in the practice of Psychology as appropriate.

Research, Education and Professional Development:

1. To ensure department compliance with the Hospital’s mandatory training requirements for all staff.
2. Oversee the development and implementation of professional development and training programmes for the departmental staff and, as appropriate, for other staff in the Hospital, the health service and other institutions.
3. To participate actively in the ongoing training, lecturing, development and continuing education of staff and to establish links with the educational institutions with regard to under and post graduate training as appropriate.
4. To be responsible for ensuring the management and planning of student education and fieldwork placement provision, and correspondence regarding same.
5. To undertake research in psychology and to participate in the specialised research interests of the department and to link with the ongoing research in Beaumont Hospital as relevant.
6. Keep abreast of new developments, skills and technology in order to initiate and respond to changes in the work environment e.g. virtual health methodologies, data analysis, clinical audit, and research.
7. Maintain and develop professional standards (including quality assurance standards) in the light of changing practices both within and outside the profession.
8. Identify and pursue, where appropriate, funding to support research activities.
9. Ensure his/her own knowledge and skills are kept up to date by participation in appropriate continuing professional development, and promote continuing professional development programmes for departmental staff.
10. Ensure that each member of the Psychology staff has a Professional Development Plan, which is updated at least annually.

Clinical responsibilities:

1. The successful candidate will have clinical responsibilities appropriate to their specialist area (up to a maximum of 0.4 WTE) will join a very committed multidisciplinary team.
2. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the overall work of the Psychology Department.

General Responsibilities:

1. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Clinical for the purpose of consultation on issues of concern.
2. Ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the requirements of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act and to ensure that these procedures are followed in the Department.
3. Be familiar with policies and legislation regarding disciplinary and grievance procedures as he/she will have the responsibility for implementing same.
4. The appointee may be required to act as a member of the management side in negotiations with trade/staff associations.
5. To participate in hospital initiatives/committees as required and relevant to the post.
6. To ensure liaison and collaboration with other professional groups, all relevant agencies and external health system colleagues, who are concerned with the care and management of Beaumont Hospital patients.
7. To advise the Head of Clinical Services and other Senior Hospital Management of changes and developments in the profession of Psychology nationally and internationally, and to act as a resource person/ source of expert advice on matters related to Psychology, by sharing information in formal and informal ways.
8. Participate and co-operate with any internal or external evaluation of the service.
9. From time to time the appointee will be required to perform such other duties appropriate to the office as assigned by the Head of Clinical Services and/or Chief Executive or designated other.

The nature of the post, role and responsibilities set out in this profile are indicative.  Contribute to relevant business cases/ financial planning exercises being undertaken by the organisation.

Mandatory

Category A (Employed pre October 2002)

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

Eligible applicants must:
i. Have been employed before 25th October 2002 and be currently in employment as a
psychologist in the public health system; the HSE and agencies funded under Section 38 and
Section 39 of the Health Act 2004.

And

Demonstrate competence in the Care Group/s applied for.

And

iii. Possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and
ability, for the proper discharge of the office.

And

iv. Applicants must have at least eight years satisfactory post-graduate experience in the area of
professional psychology, no more than three years of which was spent in gaining the postgraduate professional qualification and no less than five years full-time spent in postqualification experience as a professional psychologist. Years in excess of the permitted three
years for completion of the post-graduate training or time not worked will not be taken into
consideration when assessing the five years’ experience requirement.

Category B (Employed between October 2002 and 31st January 2021)

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

Eligible applicants must:

i. Be currently employed in a named publically funded psychological service, Note 1.

And

ii. Have a university degree or diploma (QQ1 level 8 equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd class
honours in which Psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject.

And

iii. Have an Irish post-graduate professional psychology qualification accredited by the
Psychological Society of Ireland in Clinical, Counselling or Educational Psychology.

Or

An equivalent qualification from another jurisdiction validated by the Department of Health.

And

iv. Demonstrate competence in the Care Group/s applied for.

And

v. Applicants must have at least eight years satisfactory post-graduate experience in the area of
professional psychology, no more than three years of which was spent in gaining the postgraduate professional

qualification and no less than five years full-time spent in post qualification experience as a professional psychologist.

Years in excess of the permitted three
years for completion of the post-graduate training or time not worked will not be taken into
consideration when assessing the five years’ experience requirement.

And

vi. Possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and ability,
for the proper discharge of the office
Note 1. Psychological services delivered or funded by the Department of Health, Department
of Justice, Department of Education and the Department of Children, Disability,
Equality and Integration aimed at improving the mental, physical or social health or
wellbeing of the clients they serve.

Category C (Employed 31st January 2021 to the 30th September 2024)

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

Eligible applicants must:

i. Have a university degree or diploma (QQ1 level 8 equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd class
honours in which Psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject.

And

ii. Have an Irish post-graduate professional psychology qualification accredited by the
Psychological Society of Ireland in Clinical, Counselling or Educational Psychology.

Or

An equivalent qualification from another jurisdiction validated by the Department of Health.

And

iii. Demonstrate competence in the Care Group/s applied for.

And

iv. Applicants must have at least eight years satisfactory post-graduate experience in the area of
professional psychology, no more than three years of which was spent in gaining the postgraduate professional

qualification and no less than five years full-time spent in post qualification experience as a professional psychologist. Years in excess of the permitted three
years for completion of the post-graduate training or time not worked will not be taken into
consideration when assessing the five years’ experience requirement.

And

v. Applicants with a clinical or counselling psychology qualification must demonstrate that they
have acquired in appropriate health settings, for the area / areas for which they wish to
apply - Disability (Child and Adult), Child Psychology, Adult Psychology - either at least 60
days or equivalent supervised clinical placements as part of the professional qualification; or
at least 60 days or equivalent post-qualification supervised work experience as a
psychologist. 

Or

Applicants with an educational psychology qualification must demonstrate that they have
acquired in appropriate health settings for the area / areas for which they wish to apply -
Child Disability, Child Psychology - either at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical
placements as part of the professional qualification; or at least 60 days or equivalent post qualification supervised work experience as a psychologist. Note 2.

Note: Combinations of supervised clinical placement experience as part of the qualification
and post qualification supervised work experience within a single care group area to
give a total of 60 days are not acceptable.

Criteria effective on or after 1st October 2024.

In exercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 22 of the Health Act 2004, I hereby approve the
qualifications, as set out hereunder, for the appointment and continuing as Psychologist, Senior –
Clinical/Counselling/Educational in the HSE on or after 1st October 2024.
These criteria apply without prejudice to applicants employed up to the 30th September 2024 in a post
of Psychologist, or above, in an Irish publically funded health service; the HSE and agencies funded
under Section 38 and Section 39 of the Health Act 2004.

Category A/2024

Applicants who qualified as psychologist, before 1st October 2024 who are not employed as a
psychologist in a named publically funded psychological service, Note 1.

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.*

Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

i. Have a recognised university degree or diploma (QQI level 8 equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd
class honours in which Psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject.

And

ii. Have an Irish post-graduate qualification accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland in
clinical, counselling or educational psychology.

Or
An equivalent qualification from another jurisdiction validated by the Department of Health.

And

iii. Applicants must have at least five years satisfactory post-graduate experience in the area of
professional psychology, no more than three years of which was spent in gaining the postgraduate professional qualification and no less than two years full-time spent in post-qualification
experience as a professional psychologist. Years in excess of the permitted three years for
completion of the post-graduate training or time not worked will not be taken into consideration
when assessing the five years’ experience requirement.

And

iv. Applicants with a clinical or counselling psychology qualification must demonstrate that they
have acquired at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical placements in appropriate health
settings in each of the three areas; Disability (Child and Adult), Child Psychology and Adult
Psychology, as part of the post-graduate professional qualification, or equivalent post qualification supervised work experience as a psychologist.

Or

Applicants with an educational psychology qualification must demonstrate that they have
acquired at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical placements in appropriate health
settings in both areas of Child disability and Child Psychology as part of the post-graduate
professional qualification, or equivalent post-qualification supervised work experience as
a psychologist.
Note 1. Psychological services delivered or funded by the Department of Health, Department
of Justice, Department of Education and the Department of Children, Disability,
Equality and Integration aimed at improving the mental, physical or social health or
wellbeing of the clients they serve.

Category B/2024
Applicants who qualified as psychologist after the 1st October 2024

Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.*

Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:
i. Have a recognised university degree or diploma (QQI level 8 equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd
class honours in which Psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject.

And

ii. Have an Irish post-graduate qualification accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland in
clinical, counselling or educational psychology.

Or

An equivalent qualification from another jurisdiction validated by the Department of Health.

And

iii. Applicants must have at least eight years satisfactory post-graduate experience in the area of
professional psychology, no more than three years of which was spent in gaining the postgraduate professional qualification and no less than five years full-time spent in post-qualification
experience as a professional psychologist. Years in excess of the permitted three years for
completion of the post-graduate training or time not worked will not be taken into consideration
when assessing the five years’ experience requirements.

Applicants with a clinical or counselling psychology qualification must demonstrate that they
have acquired at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical placements in appropriate health
settings in each of the three areas; Disability (Child and Adult), Child Psychology and Adult
Psychology, as part of the post-graduate professional qualification.

Or

v. Applicants with an educational psychology qualification must demonstrate that they have
acquired at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical placements in appropriate health
settings in both areas of Child disability and Child Psychology as part of the post-graduate
professional qualification.

Health
All candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of
undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a
reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character
All candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.