Overview

The Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in Psycho-Oncology is a specialist clinical role within the Department of Psychology, Beaumont Hospital. The post-holder will provide evidence-based psychological assessment, intervention, consultation and support to patients attending oncology services.

The role involves working as part of multidisciplinary teams across inpatient and outpatient settings to support patients experiencing psychological distress, adjustment difficulties, cognitive and behavioural difficulties associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The post-holder will contribute to service development, supervision, teaching, research and quality improvement initiatives within psycho-oncology services.

• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based intervention for patients attending psycho-oncology services.
• Deliver individual psychological interventions for patients experiencing emotional, behavioural and adjustment difficulties associated with cancer and related conditions.
• Provide psychological consultation and support to multidisciplinary team colleagues regarding patient care and psychological management.
• Develop and facilitate group-based interventions and psychoeducational programmes where appropriate.
• Provide support, psychoeducation and consultation to family members and caregivers where clinically indicated.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records, reports and correspondence in line with professional and organisational standards.

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Contribute to the ongoing development and evaluation of psycho-oncology services in line with organisational and national priorities.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation activities.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based practice and development of clinical pathways within psycho-oncology services.
• Participate in departmental and multidisciplinary meetings, service planning and operational developments as required.

Supervision, Education and Training

• Provide supervision and support to assistant psychologists, trainee psychologists and junior psychology staff as appropriate.
• Contribute to teaching, education and training initiatives within the Department of Psychology and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate psychology training placements where appropriate.
• Participate in continuing professional development and mandatory supervision in accordance with professional guidelines.

Research and Audit

• Participate in research, audit and service evaluation relevant to psycho-oncology and psychological care in medical settings.
• Contribute to dissemination of research and service developments through presentations, publications and professional forums where appropriate.

Governance and Professional Practice

• Work in accordance with professional ethics, departmental policies, hospital procedures and relevant legislation.
• Maintain high standards of clinical governance, confidentiality, documentation and data protection.
• Participate in departmental governance, audit and quality assurance processes.
• Carry out duties in accordance with Beaumont Hospital policies and Department of Psychology operational procedures.

Person Specification – Essential

• Honours degree in Psychology and recognised postgraduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology.
• Eligibility for membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Minimum of three years post-qualification experience, including relevant experience working with adults experiencing complex psychological difficulties.
• Experience of psychological assessment and intervention within medical, hospital or multidisciplinary healthcare settings.
• Experience working with patients experiencing adjustment difficulties, anxiety, depression, trauma or psychological distress associated with physical illness.
• Experience of multidisciplinary team working.
• Experience providing supervision, teaching or support to junior staff or trainees.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

Person Specification – Desirable

• Experience in psycho-oncology, health psychology or related specialist medical settings.
• Experience working within oncology, haematology, palliative care or rehabilitation services.
• Experience facilitating group interventions.
• Experience in audit, research and service evaluation.
• Training or experience in evidence-based psychological therapies relevant to psycho-oncology practice.
• Experience contributing to service development or quality improvement initiatives.