Principal Psychologist Manager
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title and Grade / Principal Psychologist Manager(Grade Code 3727)
Competition Reference / NRS0654
Closing Date / 12 Noon Thursday 10th May 2012
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Week commencing 11th June 2012
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Location of Post / HSE Dublin Mid Leinster
NB There are 2 initial vacancies in the following locations:
· Dublin South West-Kildare West Wicklow ISA
· Cherry Orchard Hospital Dublin South Central
Organisational Area / HSE Dublin Mid Leinster
Details of Service / This campaign is being run to create a recruitment panel for all sites in HSE Dublin Mid Leinster.
1.There is an initial vacancy available in: Dublin South West-Kildare West Wicklow ISA
The Principal Psychologist Manager will work with senior management and the heads of others services as appropriate, and be responsible for the effective leadership, management and development of psychological services including resources/budgets as appropriate within the Dublin South West-Kildare West Wicklow ISA
The service provides a wide range of psychological assessment, diagnostic and intervention services, inter alia, to a lifespan population including children, adolescents, adults and older adults It also provides dedicated services to children and adults with disabilities as well as to marginalised groups.
Services are primarily community based and delivered through Primary Care Teams and Networks. In-patient, residential and specialist services are also provided in the area.
2.It is envisaged a vacancy will shortly become available for Principal Psychologist Manager HSE Dublin South Central:
· Located in Cherry Orchard Hospital
To enquire about the details of these posts please contact Gerard Perry, Director of Psychology, Tel. 01 8693082
Reporting Relationship / · Professionally reporting to the Director of Psychology
· To General Manager for all service areas which the General Manager is responsible for e.g. Child and Family, Primary Care etc.
· To the Integrated Service Area Manager (ISA) for the service areas for which the ISA manager is directly responsible in the area, where applicable (e.g. Mental Health)
· Administratively to the General Manager
As the current organisational context is fluid specific areas of reporting may change over time as required.
Purpose of the Post / The Principal Psychologist Manager will be a member of the multi-disciplinary management team within the designated HSE DML area, working with senior management and the Heads of Discipline / Services to ensure a co-ordinated and comprehensive service delivery to, and effective communication with, all stakeholders; with the aim of providing integrated care to the client population. S/he will contribute significantly to service planning, development, evaluation and quality initiatives.
The Principal Psychologist Manager will lead and be responsible for the effective delivery of quality psychology services across all service areas / care groups. Psychology service provision includes assessment, formulation, intervention, consultation, research, education and support, from a multi-theoretical base and across all relevant domains and difficulties. Such psychological leadership and services will be provided in line with service plans and objectives, and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / Professional
The Principal Psychologist Manager will:
· Be responsible for the overall management and performance of Psychology activity within the designated area in keeping with good 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 sessional inputs to a clinical area in line with the professional expertise of the post holder
· Take direct responsibility for a defined caseload, as required
· Provide professional leadership within psychology for working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, in partnership with clients, their families and other team members to provide an integrated and co-ordinated service aimed at maximising and enhancing each client’s functioning and quality of life
· 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 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, and 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 inter-agency 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.
· Seek the development of fair and equitable social policy and where inequalities are identified lobby for change
· Contribute to the overall development of the Psychology service so as to meet current and emerging trends and unmet needs
· Help and advise management in the planning and provision of Psychology Services in their area
· Act as a representative of the psychology service / profession as required
· Deputise for the Director of Psychology or any other Principal Psychologist / Senior Manager 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
· 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 supervision to staff
· Avail of appropriate supervision to ensure own ongoing competency to deliver quality services and to supervise other staff
Education & Training
The Principal Psychologist Manager will:
· 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
· 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
· In collaboration with other Principal Psychologists 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 in-service needs of Psychologists under his/her remit
· Act as a resource by participating in the education and training of Psychology colleagues 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 Integrated Service Programmes
Management
The Principal Psychologist Manager will:
· Be responsible, in collaboration with 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
· Represent HSE management in local partnerships with the University sector in relation to Clinical Psychology education and training where appropriate
· Report and advise on Psychology staffing needs
· Contribute to policy development, performance monitoring, business / service planning and budgetary control in conjunction with 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 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 others as appropriate in developing the role of the Principal Psychologist Manager 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
Risk Health & Safety
The Principal Psychologist Manager will:
· Contribute to the development of policies, procedures, guidelines and safe professional practice and legislation, regulations and standards and ensure that staff comply with same
The above Job Description 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Each candidate must have at the latest date of application: -
a) (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) 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.
Note: These qualifications take affect from 25 October 2002 but without prejudice to anyone employed in a post of Staff Grade Psychologist or above on that date in the Irish Public Health Service to whom the qualification requirements for Principal Psychologist in place at 22nd January, 2002 shall apply.
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
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Post Specific Requirements / Demonstrate leadership and management experience.
Other requirements specific to the post / Access to transport is necessary as post will involve travel.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge / · Demonstrate sufficient professional knowledge and evidence based practice to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role to a high standard
· Demonstrate effective leadership and team skills
· Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice
· Demonstrate the capacity to manage the Psychology service in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care
· Demonstrate the ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment
· Demonstrate effective supervision skills and a clear commitment to the supervision process
· Display effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills including skills in multi-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 ability to facilitate change and improve service delivery
· Demonstrate initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement
· Demonstrate a commitment to the delivery of a quality user-centred service
· Display awareness and appreciation of the service user as expert through experience including promoting the role of service user in care planning and decision-making and service development
· Demonstrate the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect
· Demonstrate a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role
· Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.
· Demonstrate an awareness of current professional issues
· Demonstrate a clear understanding of professional ethics
· Demonstrate knowledge of research methods
Competition 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 Commissioners 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, feedback facilitates for 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 www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates or on www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed.
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.