SC283 Principal Psychologist CDNT

 To apply for this role, email your CV to recruitment@stewartscare.ie. Please include the reference number in your email.

Principal Psychologist SC283 CDNT 5 and 6

Role: Principal Psychologist, Stewarts Care

Duration of Post: Temporary Wholetime (12-month Contract)

Location: CDNT 5 / CDNT 6 - travel across departments required.

Reporting Relationship: Clinical Director of HSCP and Research

Job Purpose:

Stewarts Care is the host agency for 2 CDNTs, CDNT 5 Lucan and CDNT 6 Palmerstown.

This role will provide clinical oversight and supervision to all psychologists in the CDNTs as well as clinical service. Supervision of related professions may also be included – e.g. psychology assistant, behaviour support scientist. Each CDNT has approximately 25 WTE, with 4 psychologists approved and serves approximately 650 children with complex disabilities.

The CDNTs work closely with Stewarts Care adults therapy teams for CPD and quality improvement.

Scope of the Role:

The Principal Psychologist in the CDNTs of CDNT 5 and CDNT 6 (Stewarts Care) will be responsible for the delivery and development of a high quality, integrated and effective Psychology service within an interdisciplinary service model.

The Principal Psychologist appointment is for 1 year and will be subject to review against set KPIs and Service Priorities as agreed by the Lead Agency as set out below;

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Governance

1. Clinical Supervision

• Allocated staff for Clinical Supervision which match the gaps within each of the Health Regions.

2. Enhancing talent acquisition and boosting Disability service visibility

• Supporting recruitment, retention and workforce planning

• Co-ordinate undergraduate student placements across the CDNTs.

• Provide clinical leadership for the rollout of Therapy Assistant grades within their area.

• Be a representative of the Service in relation to the development of apprenticeship schemes.

3. Optimising efficiency, output and outcome

• Take a lead role in relation to the development and roll out of discipline specific and interdisciplinary clinical pathways

• Develop tools to capture clinical outcomes for children accessing CDNT services

• Participate in the Clinical Advisory Group

4. Quality and Safety

• Contribute to the clinical components of those under complex case management and contribute to a comprehensive review mechanism for children, including those in residential care.

• Be responsible for input into these reviews to ensure that the service continues to meet the needs of children.

• Contribute to the clinical components of these reviews to ensure that the service continues to meet the needs of the children

• Contribute clinical inputs to inform decisions regarding cases being disputed under the National Access Policy

5. Any other duties as may be identified by the Lead Agency.

Skills, Competencies & Knowledge Professional / Clinical

The Principal Psychologist will collaborate and agree interventions with Children’s Disability Network Managers.

• Be responsible for the overall management and performance of psychology activity within the designated area in keeping with good professional practice and subject to agreed national policy directives and priorities including the clinical programmes.

• Provide clinical and professional leadership in the delivery of a high-quality Psychology service.

• Ensure that professional standards are maintained through clinical audit, supervision and training.

• Operate within the scope of Psychology practice as per CORU requirements and in accordance with local guidelines.

• Ensure quality of staff provision through clinical audit, supervision and training.

• Work as a member of the multidisciplinary team as required for service delivery.

• Be responsible for the delivery of the Psychology service within the budget allocation.

• Be accountable and responsible for Psychology service costs and to manage these budgets in line with financial regulations, to ensure value for money for the organisation.

• Develop good working relationships with other Heads of Service, professionals, specialist services, community and voluntary organisations to provide integrated quality care to service users.

• Develop and promote integrated models of service delivery between relevant stakeholders

• Provide line management, professional and clinical supervision to Psychology staff members.

Education and Training

• Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives and attendance at courses as appropriate.

• Engage in career and professional development planning.

• Encourage and support the promotion of continued professional development and training by making recommendations with regard to the on-going education, research, training and in-service needs of Psychologist to meet HSE standards.

• Engage in the HSE performance achievement process in conjunction with your Line Manager and staff as appropriate.

• Be responsible, in partnership with local General Management, for the practice education of student therapists through provision of placements and through support for therapists who are practice educators within their departments.

• Build and communicate an understanding of the role and contribution of Psychologists within multidisciplinary teams to ensure a clear pathway for service users.

Quality and Risk, Health and Safety Management

• Take responsibility for all aspects of staff and client safety within their area of responsibility.

• Contribute to 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.

• Carry out risk assessments within the Psychology service and ensure necessary follow up steps are taken.

• Be aware of risk management issues. Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable low carbon and efficient health service.

Management

• Contribute to service planning and development in conjunction with senior management / relevant others and in accordance with national strategies.

• Advise senior management on the planning and provision of Psychology services in line with the National Service Plan and local operational plan.

• Develop and implement strategic service and business plans, quality initiatives, audits etc. based on up-to-date evidence-based practice and report on outcomes.

• Ensure service delivery corresponds to best national and international practice.

• Foster and lead a culture and practice of evaluating service outcomes and implementing quality improvement initiatives.

• Monitor service and performance levels - report on activity levels and provide service delivery reports as required.

• Be responsible for the delivery of the Psychology service within the budget allocation.

• Optimise the use of available resources to achieve effective outcomes in planning and delivering a flexible service that meets the needs of service users.

• Ensure Psychology service complies with relevant HR and other policies, procedures and guidelines.

• Oversee the implementation of appropriate induction and probationary systems.

• Oversee and implement an appropriate performance management system (e.g. clinical audit/quality assurance programmes) for the delivery of a high-quality Psychology service.

• Ensure compliance with a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines and relevant legislation e.g. FOI, GDPR.

• Liaise formally and informally with other health services, hospital departments and outside agencies, both statutory and voluntary.

• 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.

• Represent Psychology service on the Management Team.

• Act as spokesperson for the organisation as required.

• Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrate a level of clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills and evidence-based practice appropriate to carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the role in line with relevant legislation and standards.

• Demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of the Psychology process, the underpinning theory and its application to the role.

• Demonstrate a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in provision of Psychology assessments, formulation and interventions for children and young people including those presenting with complex needs as a result of their disability to enable them in achieving optimal outcomes.

• Demonstrates the knowledge, abilities and technical skills required to provide safe, efficient and effective service in the area of responsibility. Have a sound knowledge of clinical risk management.

• Demonstrates knowledge of legislative requirements relating to the healthcare services and the workplace.

• Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.

• Demonstrates a willingness to engage with and develop IT skills relevant to the role.

Planning and Managing Resources

• Demonstrates the ability to lead on planning, organising and delivering services in an efficient, effective and resourceful manner, within a model of patient centred care and with a focus on value for money.

• Co-ordinates work with other professions to ensure an optimum service is provided for service-users.

• Demonstrates a high level of initiative and adaptability in response to workforce demands.

Managing and Developing (Self and Others)

• Is sufficiently aware of policy, legislative and professional requirements to ensure appropriate standards in their area of responsibility.

• Provides clear direction on a regular basis and adopts an approachable management style, promotes collaborative working relationships.

• Deals positively and constructively with obstacles and conflict within teams.

• Demonstrates a commitment to the development of self and others.

• Fosters a learning culture amongst staff and colleagues to drive continuous improvement in services to patients.

Commitment to providing a Quality Service

• Demonstrates the ability to lead on the delivery, design and implementation of a high-quality, person-centred service.

• Embraces and promotes change - demonstrates an ability to plan strategically to drive change / make improvements to service delivery.

Evaluating Information and Judging Situations

• Demonstrates the ability to collate, analyse, interpret, and report on service activity and assigned/agreed KPI’s.

• Demonstrates the ability to effectively analyse and critically evaluate complex information and make appropriate decisions.

• Adequately identifies, assesses, manages and monitors risk within their area of responsibility.

• Demonstrate effective problem-solving strategies, including the ability to be flexible and innovative, and manage challenging scenarios.

• Explains the rationale behind decisions confidently when faced with opposing or competing demands. Is objective but also aware of sensitivities in their approach.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

• Display effective communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to present complex information.

• Tailors the communication method and the message to match the needs of the audience; demonstrates active listening skills.

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate in partnership with others.

• Demonstrates sensitivity, diplomacy and tact when dealing with others; is patient and tolerant when dealing with conflict situations.

• Demonstrates strong influencing and negotiation skills; remains firm but flexible when putting forward a point of view.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Qualifications, Experience & Requirements

Candidates must meet the following criteria relevant to the role:

(i) 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,

And

(ii) A recognised postgraduate professional psychological qualification appropriate to the area of professional psychology in which the position is designated

And

(a) Have at least eight years satisfactory post graduate experience in the area of professional psychology in which the position is designated inclusive of any time spent in pursuing a course leading to the post graduate qualification and including at least three years satisfactory experience in a senior capacity

And

(b) Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Health

A candidate 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

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements:

Experience of working with complex childhood disabilities including, neurodiversity, autism and ADHD; children at risk, risk assessment, Children First, child safeguarding, formulation of safety plans, interagency working.

Other Requirements Specific to the Post:

Have access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.

This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Principal Psychologist – Stewarts Care