Overview

The Senior Psychologist in Motor Neurone Disease 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 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) services.

This role is part of the modernised care pathway for MND and integrates specialised psychological support directly into the national multidisciplinary MND service.  This modernised care pathway outlines the optimal steps in caring for a patient with a specific clinical condition. It moves away from traditional, fragmented hospital models to create a seamless, efficient journey from diagnosis to recovery or long-term management.

The role involves working as part of a multidisciplinary team across inpatient and outpatient settings to support patients experiencing psychological distress, adjustment difficulties, cognitive and behavioural difficulties associated with neurodegenerative illness. The post-holder will contribute to service development, supervision, teaching, research and quality improvement initiatives within MND services.

• Provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based intervention for patients attending Motor Neurone Disease services.
• Conduct cognitive assessment and neurobehavioural screening relevant to neurodegenerative conditions.
• Deliver psychological interventions for patients experiencing emotional, behavioural and adjustment difficulties associated with Motor Neurone Disease and related neurological conditions.
• Provide psychological consultation and support to multidisciplinary team colleagues regarding patient care, cognition, behaviour and psychological management.
• 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 Motor Neurone Disease psychology 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 neuropsychology and MND 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 Motor Neurone Disease, neuropsychology 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 and expertise in cognitive assessment relevant to neurological and neurodegenerative conditions.
• 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 neuropsychology, neurorehabilitation or neurodegenerative disease services.
• Experience working within neurology, Motor Neurone Disease or related specialist services.
• Postgraduate qualification or specialist training in Neuropsychology.