Job Description
Summary of the job description: We are seeking a Senior Psychologist to join the Irish Prison Service in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting comprehensive assessments, developing behaviour monitoring procedures, and providing specialist contributions to care and management planning for individuals in the prison system.
The role involves assessing and intervening with individuals who have been referred to the psychology service due to mental health difficulties, offence-specific needs, or developmental disorders. The Service works with a diverse range of clients, including those with complex trauma, personality disorders, and intellectual difficulties. The Senior Psychologist will be responsible for providing evidence-based group and individual interventions, consulting with community agencies, and working with families and carers.
The ideal candidate will hold a postgraduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, be eligible for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland or the British Psychological Society, and have a minimum of 2 years postgraduate experience as a Psychologist. Desirable requirements include experience working with a forensic population, providing consultation and education to multidisciplinary colleagues, and further therapeutic or research qualifications.
- Mental health difficulties including mood and anxiety disorders, personality and behaviour disorders, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, self-harm and suicidal behaviour, eating disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia, addiction.
- Offence-specific needs including formal offence-related risk assessments, Parole Board reports, offence-related group and individual work, complex case consultation and risk management work.
- Developmental disorders, intellectual difficulties, cognitive decline, traumatic brain injuries, limited literacy, and cultural diversity.
The Senior Psychologist will work closely with the prison staff, community agencies, and families to provide a comprehensive support system for individuals in the prison system.