ENABLE IRELAND CORK JOB DESCRIPTION PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Transcription

1 ENABLE IRELAND CORK JOB DESCRIPTION PRINCIPAL PSYCHOLOGIST Job Details Job Title: Status: Hours of Work: Grade: Location: Reporting to: Accountable to: Principal Psychologist Permanent and Part-time 0.8 WTE (pro rata of 37 hours per week/4 days per week Hours will be worked over 4/5-four/five days flexibility required Psychologist, Principal Enable Ireland, Cork Services. Currently based at the Lavanagh Centre, Ballintemple, Cork, and will be required to work at other locations in Cork city or county as relevant. Relocation to new premises is planned. Children s Service s Manager Director of Services (DOS) Key Working Relationships Service Users Parents, Carers & Advocates Director of Services Children s Services Manager Psychology Team Adult Services Manager & Team Key professional groups inc: O.T., Physiotherapy, S&LT, Nursing, Social Work & Early Years Educators & Team External Agencies inc. HSE and alternative service providers National Enable Ireland Groups. Enable Ireland SMT Professional & academic colleagues Page 1 of 8

2 Job Purpose The Principal Psychologist will take the professional lead for the development, delivery and evaluation of psychology services as an effective and integral part of the inter/trans disciplinary team based interventions and supports for children, their parents and carers and adults attending services at Enable Ireland Cork. As a Senior Clinical Practitioner in the service, the post holder will also be required to actively contribute to local, regional and national service initiatives and developments in line with the organisational priorities and goals, in line with our work under the national Transforming Lives Programme, specifically 1. Progressing Disability Services for Children & Young People and 2. New Directions, Personal Supports for Adults with Disabilities. As a Clinical Manager, the post holder will be required, from time to time, to co-ordinate inter/trans-disciplinary teams or service projects across the organisation. Person Specification: Essential Criteria Qualifications: Hold a recognised University degree or diploma obtained with first or second class honours in which psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject. Possess a recognised postgraduate professional clinical qualification, recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland. To be a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland or to be eligible to apply. Experience: A minimum of 8-eight years relevant post-graduate experience subsequent to obtaining the qualification, some of which should be working with children/adults with a disability. Demonstrable evidence of leadership initiatives and management achievements. Demonstrable experience of direct line management of staff, including clinical/general supervision and performance management. Proven experience of leading inter/trans-disciplinary teams. Research acumen and experience of a range of methods. Demonstrable experience of service development. I.T. skills. Understanding of formal quality management systems. Skills, Competencies and/or Knowledge: Effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in inter-disciplinary working and the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families etc. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions especially with regard to service delivery. Demonstrate a commitment and ability to deliver a quality person (child and family) centred service in an effective and resourceful manner within an intertrans-disciplinary model of team working. Demonstrate ability to apply knowledge to best practice. Demonstrate ability to initiate and facilitate change and improve service delivery. A commitment to continuing professional development. Access to transport as post will involve travel. Flexibility in working arrangements to facilitate optimum service delivery. Page 2 of 8

3 Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Professional / Clinical The Principal Psychologist will: Be responsible for the overall management and performance management of Psychology staff within the designated area in keeping with best professional practice within agreed policy, objectives and priorities. Be responsible for ensuring the delivery, in line with best practice, of a range of professional psychology services, including assessment and intervention with individuals and groups; programme development and implementation; consultation and education. Provide clinical and professional leadership within psychology for working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, in partnership with clients, their families and other team members and within Primary Care Psychology services to provide integrated and co-ordinated service aimed at maximising and enhancing each service user s functioning and quality of life. To support the implementation of change management processes under the national Transforming Lives Programme, specifically 1. Progressing Disability Services for Children & Young People and 2. New Directions, Personal Supports for Adults with Disabilities. Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload, as required. Be a member of Enable Ireland s investigation panel for the investigation of workplace complaints, disciplinary issues, child and adult protection issues, in accordance with Enable Ireland s policies and relevant legislation. Ensure the promotion of the psycho-social model of care, and represent and advocate for the psychological needs of service users throughout the service. Be responsible for clinical audit and quality initiatives Be responsible for monitoring and evaluating outcomes of service provision Provide professional reports as required in accordance with professional standards Promote and foster an understanding of the role and contribution of psychology by providing professional consultation, education, guidance and support to others as appropriate Communicate effectively and develop good working relationships with management, other Heads of Service, professionals, specialist services, community and voluntary organisations to provide integrated quality care to service users. Work within established partnership frameworks in developing and maintaining close liaison with key stakeholders and ensuring co-ordinated interdisciplinary and interagency service delivery Lead and contribute to developments and innovative practice Encourage, support and conduct service related research Ensure the implementation of current and evolving legislation, policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols. Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence, at individual and service levels. Contribute to the overall development of the Psychology service so as to meet current and emerging trends and unmet needs. Act as a representative of the psychology service / profession as required Facilitate clear channels of communication to relevant management structures in relation to Psychology service issues. Provide professional leadership at meetings, committees and/or other fora as required. Ensure that the psychology service values diversity and respect in the workplace. Page 3 of 8

4 Ensure that staff work within limits of professional competence and in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance Ensure the provision of appropriate clinical supervision to staff. Avail of appropriate clinical supervision to ensure own ongoing competency to deliver quality services and to supervise other staff. Ensure the highest quality Psychology service is provided equitably to all service users attending the service. Develop and introduce changes in work practices, procedures, techniques or technologies having regard to stakeholder needs and developments in the field of Psychology. Manage and develop the Psychology Department ensuring the optimum distribution of staff to cope with service user need. Ensure the necessary liaison and co-operation with other disciplines across the service catchment area to ensure a seamless multidisciplinary approach. Education & Training Attend mandatory training programmes and ensure that all reporting staff do so Be informed of advances in professional knowledge and practice and ensure their dissemination In collaboration with the Heads of Discipline, maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate, and ensure compliance with statutory registration requirements for themselves and for reporting staff. Engage in career and professional development planning, as requested. In collaboration with the appropriate line manager, oversee the provision of a framework for the promotion of staff development and training by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, mentoring, training and inservice needs of Psychologists under his/her remit. Build links with third level institutions and foster relationships with existing third level partners. Management of the Ann Moloney Bursary Award, in conjunction with UCC and development of new student placements. Act as a resource by participating in the education and training of psychology colleague, students and other health professionals as required. Manage and provide supervised training placements to those in professional post graduate psychology training as required. Build and communicate an understanding of the role and contribution of Psychology within ISP. Develop and maintain a Psychology input into the education of other health professionals and to take part in post-graduate education, as required / directed. Provide education as required in Psychology for other health professionals. Research & Evaluation Be a member of Enable Ireland s Research & Ethics Quality Committee. Undertake and be involved in programmes of research and development as appropriate. Create, develop and maintain systems for reviewing the individual training needs of the Psychologist and devise continuing training programmes and other in-service training and education required by each individual Psychologist. Page 4 of 8

5 Health & Safety Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards and ensure that staff comply with same. Implement personnel policies and maintain personnel records relating to absenteeism including annual, sick, maternity and other leave and take action as appropriate in line with personnel policies and practices. To be fully familiar with the terms of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act, and all relevant policy documents of the organisation i.e. Employee Handbook, Safety Statement. Management Be responsible in collaboration with the appropriate line manager and senior management of the service, for the management of psychology resources, including the development, recruitment, retention and maintenance of psychology staffing within the service Provide line management supervision to assigned staff and co-ordinate and manage psychology service delivery Report and advise on Psychology staffing needs Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring, business / service planning and budgetary control in conjunction with the appropriate line manager and the Senior management team Keep updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice. Keep up to date with national and organisational developments within the Irish Health Service as necessary. Keep abreast of and ensure service delivery corresponds to developments in national policies and strategies and best national and international practice. Contribute to the development of policies, procedures and guidelines in relation to the Psychology service, engaging staff as appropriate. Participate in and contribute to service planning and development. Formulate and review the Psychology service plan and contribute to the overall service plan in consultation with other Heads of Service. Provide service delivery reports as required e.g. service plan, annual report. Undertake responsibility for service evaluation to facilitate improved services and integrated care Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways and integrated care arrangements Actively participate in the development and continuing improvement initiatives of psychology services in conjunction with the appropriate line manager and relevant others Maintain an awareness of HR policies and procedures / engage in recruitment processes and other HR functions as required Ensure the maintenance of a high standard of service user records and statistics in accordance with HSE requirements and local guidelines, Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts and other relevant legislation Maintain professional standards with regard to service user and data confidentiality. Collaborate with the appropriate line manager and others as appropriate in developing the role of the Principal Clinical Psychologist and the team e.g. through planning, audit, production of standards, continuing education, quality improvement initiatives and research. Ensure that the Psychology services makes the most efficient and effective use of developments in IT. Page 5 of 8

6 To maintain and adapt systems of staff appraisal, mentoring and counselling for staff in the Psychology Department. Ongoing review and development of the Psychology service in the light of developments across the area and within the field of Psychology and in keeping with National policy and service deliver plans. Ensure that effective safety and risk management procedures are in place and that they are known and followed by all members of the department. Ensure that the appropriate line manager is appraised of all relevant issues pertaining to the department and provide Departmental Reports on activity and outcomes as required. Re-enforce the importance and relevance of quality in everyday work and put in place monitoring procedures that ensure work is carried out to agreed standards. Be actively involved in the management of change and participate in quality initiatives. To ensure that all department reports and records are confidential to the service and to maintain confidentiality in respect of matters which come to your knowledge on the course of your official duties. To participate in committees and other activities within our catchment area as may from time to time be requested e.g. work on in-services committees, project teams. To carry out any other duties appropriate to the office that may be assigned. Quality Assurance To adhere to requirements relative to the collection of data in accordance with agreed procedures, and as required with Enable Ireland. To participate in the quality assurance activities within the service as required using the EFQM model of quality management All staff are required to work within the Policies, Procedures and Guidelines of the organisation both local and national. Equal Opportunities Enable Ireland is committed to taking action to develop employment processes which are fair and free from unnecessary bias and services capable of offering sensitive and effective support with due regard to diversity and difference. As such, the policy of equal opportunity relates to all present and future employees and to all present and potential users of the service. The post holder will carry out the above duties in line with Equal Opportunities Guidelines respecting the different backgrounds of colleagues and clients. Confidentiality Enable Ireland has a code of confidentiality. All staff working within Enable Ireland are bound by the code of confidentiality. All information that is obtained through work with service users, their families and carers is strictly confidential and must not be shared outside Enable Ireland unless acting on the instructions of the Director of Services. This description is not restrictive and the post holder may be required to carry out other duties as requested by Management Page 6 of 8

7 Specific Terms and Conditions of Employment: Status: Permanent (post-successful completion of probationary period) Part-time (0.8wte) Hours: hours per week (0.8wte), to be worked over 4/5-four/five days flexibility required. Salary: As per Department of Health & Children Psychologist, Principal Clinical salary scale. This is a 7 point scale, entry point on scale will, in all cases, be at point 1 of the salary scale. Salary scales may be revised up or down, in accordance with alignment to HSE Consolidated Pay Scales. Salary is paid monthly in arrears via Paypath. Annual Leave: Probation: Pension Scheme: Medical: Annual leave entitlement is 27 days. A portion of annual leave will need to be reserved for periods of service closures each year. A probationary period of 6 months applies. Enable Ireland operates a defined contribution pension scheme which the appointee will be invited to join in January/July The preferred candidate will be required to undergo a medical assessment. Garda Clearance/ Police Clearance: To comply with our child and vulnerable adult protection policies, all prospective employees and volunteers must undergo a Garda and/or police clearance as appropriate prior to post offer. Sick Leave: All periods of sickness exceeding two days must be medically certified with a maximum of six uncertified days in any 12 month period. Weekly medical certificates are required thereafter. The Company reserves the right to have you examined by its own Doctor after 3 months continuous sick leave. Upon completion of 9 months continuous service with the Company sick pay will be as follows: Full pay less social welfare for the first 13 weeks of sickness in any 12 month rolling period and half pay less social welfare for a further (13) weeks of sickness absence in the same 12 month rolling period Page 7 of 8

8 Recruitment Process Completed application form to be returned to: Ms Maria Moran Administration Manager Enable Ireland Lavanagh Centre Ballintemple Cork or by to: By 12 Noon on Tuesday 6 th September 2016 The recruitment process for shortlisted candidates will consist of the following assessments: 1. Psychometric test 2. Presentation and competency-based interview on: Friday 30 th September 2016 Page 8 of 8