CHW Principal Psychologist Specialist

Principal Psychologist Specialist

(Children’s Disability Services)

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title, Grade Code

Principal Psychologist Specialist

(Children’s Disability Services)

(Grade Code 3727)

Campaign Reference

CHW034-PPSCDS-2024

Closing Date

Friday 21st of June 2024 at 12 noon

Proposed Interview Date (s)

Proposed interview dates will be indicated at a later stage. Please note you may be called forward for interview at short notice.

Taking up Appointment

A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.

Location of Post

Community Healthcare West (CHO2)

There is currently one permanent whole-time vacancy for a Principal Psychologist Specialist available in Community Healthcare West.

A panel may be formed as a result of this campaign for Principal Psychologist Specialist, Children’s Disability Network Team, Community Healthcare West from which current and future, permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled.

Informal Enquiries

Dr Rita Chambers

Principal Psychologist Manager

Telephone:

E-Mail :

Padraic Carolan

General Manager Children’s Disability Services

Telephone :

E-Mail:

Details of Service

The Children Disability Network Services provides support and input to children and young people from age 0 to 18 who have complex needs associated with disabilities. Input and support will be through an MDT approach, underpinned by Family Centred Practice and Individual Family Service Planning.

The Service includes Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Administrators, Community Nurse, Dietician and Pre-School Liaison teacher. Staff report to the Children’s Disability Network Manager for line management and receive clinical support and supervision through their discipline lead, such as Head of Department or Therapy Manager.

It is an exciting time to join the Children’s Disabilities Services as we move forward with the reconfiguration of existing services, in line with the National Policy of Progressive Disability Services. Within this planned change, many new opportunities will be presented to support the progression and development of the service.

Reporting Relationship

The Principal Psychologist Specialist will report to the designated Community Healthcare West (CHW) Disability Network Team Manager. The post-holder will link directly with the Psychology Manager or designee in relation to clinical and professional matters.

Purpose of the Post

The post holder will join the Children’s Disability Services in Community Healthcare West. (CHO2). They will carry a clinical case-load of children with complex disabilities aged 0-18 years and will also provide Specialist Supervision for assigned Psychologists working in Children’s Disability Services.

The post-holder will additionally carry out relevant duties as assigned by their line manager. In addition and in line with best clinical practice and governance, the Principal Psychologist Specialist may be required to support the Psychology Manager with leadership roles and duties for the Psychology Discipline. Such duties will be determined in agreement with the Disability Line Manager.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Professional/ Clinical

· Provide psychology services, including assessment, consultation and the provision of psychological interventions to children and families within the service area.

· Provide clinical supervision to other psychology staff within the service (Senior, Staff grade, trainees or assistants (as required) to ensure high standards of clinical practice and governance.

· Provide and support the management of clinical supervision provision to assigned staff.

· Assist in effectively managing staff resources in order to optimise the availability and delivery of good quality and equitable Psychology services to service users.

· Actively participate in the development and continuing improvement initiatives of psychology services in conjunction with the Line Manager and/or Psychology Manager and relevant others.

· Communicate effectively and work in co-operation with all multi-disciplinary colleagues and others to ensure integrated service provision for service users. .

· Foster positive working relationships with psychology and multi-disciplinary colleagues across health care divisions so as to ensure clear care pathways and efficient access to psychological services.

· Develop and maintain close liaison with key stakeholders, including service users and service user representative groups.

· Demonstrate an appreciation of service user expertise through experience, including the promotion of the role of service user in service development.

· Represent and advocate for the psychological needs of service users.

· Contribute to the development of structures and processes to improve co-ordinated interdisciplinary service delivery.

· Participate in service meetings and committees.

· Act as a representative of the psychology service / profession as required.

· Work within limits of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and excellent clinical governance.

· Support and guide psychology staff in using evidence based practice and tailoring interventions (individual and group) to offer choice to clients and their families.

· Ensure the maintenance of appropriate service user records and statistics in accordance with HSE and regulatory requirements and local guidelines, for example, Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts, GDPR and other relevant legislation.

· Provide, as required, reports and relevant statistics regarding the service to the appropriate Manager and relevant management teams, supporting and contributing to the planning and development of services.

· Provide service reports / audit data / KPIs as required by the Line Manager and/or Psychology Manager. Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways and integrated care plans.

· Attend meetings, case conferences, professionals meetings and reviews within the designated service and provide information to these meetings as required.

· Assist the implementation of clinical audit and quality initiatives and evaluate the outcomes of service provision as agreed with the appropriate Manager.

· Ensure anti-discriminatory practice and cultural competence at individual and service levels.

· Provide as required, in relation to his/her designated area of responsibility, the HSE senior management with such information and professional advice and guidance it may require in the preparation, monitoring and evaluation of services.

· Encourage and initiate psychological research and, where appropriate, initiate and/or participate in multi-disciplinary research programmes as agreed.

· Deputise for the Line Manager and/or Psychology Manager as required.

· Work in and promote an ethical and professional manner at all times.

· Promote a culture that values of integrity, learning, partnership and respect in the workplace.

· Participate in the selection process for staff for HSE Psychology Services, and other services as required.

· Perform such other duties appropriate to this office as may be assigned by the Line Manager.

Research & Evaluation

· Utilise evidence-based literature, research and best practice guidelines to support effective practice and good quality equitable services.

· Evaluate Psychology service provision and staff resources in order to optimise the availability and clinical impacts of Psychology services for service users.

· Undertake project management including audit and service evaluation with colleagues within the service in order to enhance service provision.

· Participate in evaluation of clinical activity within the service and provide such information as required for the purpose of service monitoring, evaluation and improvement.

· Ensure the Psychology service is compliant with local, regional and national reporting requirements, including KPIs, outcome measures and other metrics as may be requested by HSE management.

· Assist in the response to service-user complaints specific to Psychology within HSE guidelines and policies.

· Encourage and support service related research and provide research advice as appropriate.

· Represent a professional view point in relation to nationally accepted good practice and to ensure a high level of ethical standards and professional conduct.

· Lead and contribute to service developments and their evaluation .

Education & Training

· Receive regular professional supervision in line with best practice.

· Ensure that Psychologists in the care group area receive appropriate levels of clinical supervision, as required under professional registration standards.

· Provide and deliver training and supervision to professional postgraduates (including Trainee Clinical Psychologists) and to Assistant Psychologists.

· Provide supervision to the work of non-psychologists in delivery of psychological interventions, as professionally appropriate and as agreed with the Line Manager and Psychology Manager.

· Provide psychological training, advice and consultation to staff from health and other agencies in areas relevant to direct clinical work and to psychology service provision.

· Provide professional and clinical supervision to Assistant Psychologists, to appropriate professional standards and support other Psychologists in the care group area to comply with these standards.

· Attend mandatory training programmes and ensure Psychologists under their line management attend mandatory training programmes as required.

· Be informed of advances in professional knowledge and practice.

· Be informed of developments in national policies, strategies and legislation and their impact on practice.

· Support the continuous professional development of other Psychologists in ensuring compliance with statutory registration requirements.

· In collaboration with the Line Manager, attend training events as informed by service requirements.

· Support the induction of new staff as delegated by the Line Manager .

Health & Safety

· Contribute to the development and review of multi-disciplinary and discipline specific policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

· Participate in Quality and Patient Safety initiatives and committees as delegated by the Line Manager and/or Psychology Manager.

· Support Psychology staff complies with such standards.

· 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.

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

Management

· Ensure Psychology staff compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks.

· In consultation with the Line Manager, assign duties and responsibilities to other Psychologists as appropriate to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

· Drive service improvements and ensure service accountability and transparency.

· Compile, manage and review Psychology specific Risk Registers and contribute to the active maintenance of multi-disciplinary Risk Registers.

· Actively manage identified work place risks as appropriate to the post’s level of responsibility.

· Ensure that Psychologists under their line-management comply with such policies and standards.

· Respond in a timely fashion to requests for service based information from a variety of sources, including Senior HSE management.

· Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring, business / service planning processes and budgetary control in conjunction with Line Manager and/or Psychology Manager and relevant others.

· Implement relevant HR policies and procedures as delegated by the Psychology Manager.

· Engage in recruitment processes specific to Psychology and other HR functions as required.

· Remain informed and ensure compliance with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.

· Manage and co-ordinate service delivery within an allocated area of responsibility as delegated by the Line Manager.

· As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015, the post-holder will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report.

· As this post is one of those designated under the Protection for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a Designated Officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. The post-holder will remain a Designated Officer for the duration of their appointment to the current post or for the duration of their appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. The post-holder will receive full information on their responsibilities under the Act on appointment.

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 them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must have at the latest date of application: -

1. Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

a) Candidates must hold:

(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

b) 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 postgraduate qualification and including at least three years satisfactory experience in a senior capacity.

and

c) 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

Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience of team working and leadership.

Demonstrate achievement in the development of high quality, integrated, accountable and efficient Child Disability services, as relevant to the role.

Demonstrate significant depth and breadth of experience in the provision of assessment, formulation, intervention, evaluation, reporting and supervision with a broad range of clinical problems in terms of complexity and severity seen within the care group area of Child Disability, as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post

Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Professional Knowledge & Experience

· Sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role to a high standard.

· Competence in the provision of clinical governance over professional psychology services, to an excellent standard, within multi-disciplinary settings.

· An excellent awareness of current professional issues in the relevant care group area and the wider health services.

· An excellent understanding of relevant regulatory frameworks and the ensuing responsibilities of the role, as well as a capacity to deliver on these responsibilities.

· Excellent professional knowledge of evidence based practice, to the level required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role .

· An ability to apply professional knowledge to best practice and to the development of cost effective services.

· A clear understanding of professional ethics.

· Knowledge of research methods.

· A willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.

Planning and Managing Resources

· The ability to plan and deliver psychological services in an effective, efficient and resourceful manner.

· Plans the utilisation of resources by controlling, monitoring and prioritising resources appropriately.

Managing & Developing (Self & Others)

· Effective clinical supervision skills and line management skills; including excellent interpersonal communication and professional behaviour, effective conflict resolution skills and commitment to supporting continuing professional development in the interests of the service user.

· Excellence in leadership skills; including the strategic development of services and proven success in project management of quality initiatives.

· An ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment.

· Effective team building and team enhancement skills.

Evaluating Information, Judging Situations & Problem Solving

· The ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions in the best interests of service users.

· The ability to analyse and interpret information and make decisions in a complex environment.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

· A characteristic ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect in challenging circumstances.

· A high level of commitment to a public service role.

· Flexibility and openness to change.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

· Excellent communication skills, to the level required to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively collaborate with colleagues, families, carers and service users in the interests of delivering the best possible services within available resources.

Campaign Specific Selection Process

Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview

A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.

Code of Practice

The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.

Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on .

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed. This Job Specification 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.

Principal Psychologist Specialist

Children’s Disability Network

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure

The current vacancy available is permanent and whole time.

The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest” stage.

Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 and Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Amendment Act 2013.

Remuneration

The Salary scale for the post is: 01/01/2024:

€ 109,392- €112,012-€114,638-€117,243- €119,210-€123,012-€126,814 LSIs

New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Health Service and other Public Service Bodies and Statutory Agencies.

Working Week

The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.

HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th, 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at Contracting stage.

Superannuation

This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful candidate will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st December 2004

Age

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act, 2018* set 70 years as the compulsory retirement age for public servants.

* Public Servants not affected by this legislation:

Public servants joining the public service or re-joining the public service with a 26 week break in service, between 1 April 2004 and 31 December 2012 (new entrants) have no compulsory retirement age.

Public servants, joining the public service or re-joining the public service after a 26 week break, after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Pension Scheme and have a compulsory retirement age of 70.

Probation

Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.

Protection of Children Guidance and Legislation

The welfare and protection of children is the responsibility of all HSE staff. You must be aware of and understand your specific responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015, the Protections for Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 in accordance with Section 2, Children First National Guidance and other relevant child safeguarding legislation and policies.

Some staff have additional responsibilities such as Line Managers, Designated Officers and Mandated Persons. You should check if you are a Designated Officer and / or a Mandated Person and be familiar with the related roles and legal responsibilities.

For further information, guidance and resources please visit: HSE Children First webpage .

Infection Control

Have a working knowledge of 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.

Health & Safety

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that the management of safety, health and welfare is successfully integrated into all activities undertaken within their area of responsibility, so far as is reasonably practicable. Line managers are named and roles and responsibilities detailed in the relevant Site Specific Safety Statement (SSSS).

Key responsibilities include:

· Developing a SSSS for the department/service[1], as applicable, based on the identification of hazards and the assessment of risks, and reviewing/updating same on a regular basis (at least annually) and in the event of any significant change in the work activity or place of work.

· Ensuring that Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is integrated into day-to-day business, providing Systems Of Work (SOW) that are planned, organised, performed, maintained, and revised as appropriate, and ensuring that all safety related records are maintained and available for inspection.

· Consulting and communicating with staff and safety representatives on OSH matters.

· Ensuring a training needs assessment (TNA) is undertaken for employees, facilitating their attendance at statutory OSH training, and ensuring records are maintained for each employee.

· Ensuring that all incidents occurring within the relevant department/service are appropriately managed and investigated in accordance with HSE procedures[2].

· Seeking advice from health and safety professionals through the National Health and Safety Function Helpdesk as appropriate.

· Reviewing the health and safety performance of the ward/department/service and staff through, respectively, local audit and performance achievement meetings for example.

Note : Detailed roles and responsibilities of Line Managers are outlined in local SSSS.

Ethics in Public Office 1995 and 2001

Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€78,234 as at 01.01.2024)

Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII salary scale (€75,420 as at 01.10.2018) are designated positions under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;

A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual statement of any interests which could materially influence the performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than 31st January in the following year.

B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required, whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.

C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission. Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards Commission’s website

[1] A template SSSS and guidelines are available on the National Health and Safety Function, here:

2 See link on health and safety web-pages to latest Incident Management Policy