Assistant Psychologist, Castlebar Co. Mayo

At Western Care we aim to provide the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate setting for the people we support. And right now, we are looking to grow and support our team across County Mayo.

Why not be part of a progressive team, that's delivering for its community.

Western Care - Supporting People To Live Their Lives.

Assistant Psychologist, Castlebar Co. Mayo

• Contract - Fixed Term 2 years
• 35 hours per week
• Reference Number 2025-103
• Closing date: May 1st, 2025
  
  

Application Details

• Please apply using current C.V.
• Further information available from: Dr. Anita Hyland, Principal Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Lead Email: ahyland@westerncare.com
• Please note Panels may be formed as a result of this competition for similar posts within the Organisation
  
  

Job Brief

Western Care Association is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the role of Assistant Psychologist. The successful applicant will work under the supervision and guidance of a Practitioner Psychologist and will be a member of the psychology team. They will support in providing a range of Services within the Association.

Please see details of Main Duties & Responsibilities in Job Description below

Salary Scale

Assistant Psychologist Pay Scale (Scale Range €33,863 to €50,954 per annum)

this is based on full time working hours i.e. 35 per week

Employment Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Pension and Life Insurance Scheme
• Annual leave in excess of statutory entitlement
• Dedicated learning and development
• Flexible working opportunities
• Staff initiatives e.g. Employee Assistance Programme, Bike-to-Work Scheme
• Sick pay scheme
  
  

Health

Applicants must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to this post and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service

Job Description

Purpose of the Role

The Assistant Psychologist will work under the supervision and guidance of a Practitioner Psychologist and will be a member of the psychology team. They will provide the following range of Services within the Association.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Main Purpose: To assist WCA's psychologists to deliver a range of psychological informed support to individuals, to the services supporting them and to their families, informed by person-centred practice. This main focus of the role will be to enable services to provide support that promotes and improves the quality of life of the people we support.

• With support from other members of the psychology service, the post holder will be involved in:
• Responding to incoming queries and referrals to the Psychology department.
• Contributing to the development and collation of psychological resources for individuals, services and families.
• Become familiar with the relevant background literature and theory.
• Developing the skills needed to engage in functional assessments of behaviour and collaborating in the development of positive behaviour support plans.
• Conducting assessment tasks with individuals and services.
• Providing administrative support for relevant research, assessment and intervention within the department.
• Contributing to service evaluations.
• Developing the skills required to produce concise and timely clinical notes, reports, plans and protocols.
• Monitoring and analysing a range of data as appropriate, including pre and post psychometrics, service audits and outcome data.
• Maintaining collaborative working relationships with staff from a range of disciplines.
• Representing the Psychology Service in professional meetings, with regular feedback as appropriate.
• Acting as the main liaison with designated services when appropriate.
• Supporting research and playing an active role in ongoing research projects.
• Supporting the development and implementation of training initiatives for parents/staff in response to identified need.
• Co-ordinating and some contribution to group therapy offerings within the service.
• Engaging in weekly supervision with the Senior Clinical Psychologist.
• Undertaking any other duties that may arise, from time to time, that are within the level and responsibility appropriate to the Assistant Psychologist's competency and training to date.
• Undertaking any reasonable traveling requirements, in order to fulfil the tasks and responsibilities of the role.
  
  

Candidate Requirements

Essential Criteria

• Candidates need to meet the Psychological Society of Ireland's Criteria for Graduate Membership
• Completion of a PSI accredited honours undergraduate or conversion course with grade 2:2 honours or above. Please submit a scanned or online copy of your full academic transcript to the online application.
  
  

OR

• Completion of an overseas qualification that is equivalent to an Irish accredited honours bachelors degree.
• Clean Drivers License
• Previous experience working with individuals with neurodiverse needs
• Previous research experience
• Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
  
  

Highly desirable criteria:

• Previous experience as an assistant / research psychologist
• A post-graduate degree in Psychology
  
  

Working Relationships and Communication

• Develop and contribute to good working relationships in the Organisation and with all other relevant personnel.
• Report to and appraise line manager or designate of all work-related issues and difficulties.
• Follow the Association's Grievance and Disciplinary Procedure, available on the Association's intranet.
• Maintain strict confidentiality relating to matters regarding personnel and services.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings as required.
• Actively participate in supervisory support as per Organisation Procedure.
• Be familiar with and operate within relevant local and organisational procedure, directives and general information made available through the line manager.
  
  

General

• Promote and develop good community networks which supports inclusion and integration for the people we support.
• Promote a positive image and name of the Association in the wider community.
• Be accountable and responsible for input into service planning and delivery, together with job performance as per role within the Association.
• Promote dignity at work and show respect to people we support, colleagues and stakeholders in the course of duty.
• Act in a confidential manner when dealing with personal information relating to people we support, families and staff.
• Attend staff training events as required and implement learning in the workplace.
• Perform any other appropriate duties as requested by the assigned manager.
  
  

Conditions

• The Job Description forms an integral part of the Contract of Employment, together with the Association's Policies and Procedures.
• Flexibility in working hours may be a feature of this position, to meet the needs of the department.
• To engage with and use the technology systems and packages provided by the Association to support day to day work and future planning needs.
• You will receive support and supervision from your line manager regarding your day to day work through the Supervisory Support Process in place in the Association.
• Roster: This position normally operates Monday through to Friday 35 hours per week. Flexibility in working hours will be a feature of this position in order to meet the individual needs of the people we support. The flexibility required will depend on the needs of the people we support and work rosters and time will be agreed with staff on a local basis by line manager.
• Remuneration: Assistant Psychology scale as per scales in place in the Association at time of appointment; currently this range is €33,863 - €50,954
• Annual Leave: 189 hrs per year
• Reporting Relationship: Report to Principal Psychologist
• Initial Base: Castlebar, Co. Mayo
• Other:
• This is a two-year contract; notice period is one month.
• You will receive support and supervision from your line manager regarding your day to day work through the Supervisory Support Process in place in the Association. In addition, you will receive supervision and support from other members of the psychology team as appropriate.
• You will receive and will be required to undertake clinical supervision, joint supervision sessions and CPD days when these are arranged.
• To manage own diary and submit monthly records of work in conjunction with the Clinical Coordinator
• To engage with and use the technology systems and packages provided by the Association to support day to day work and future planning needs.
• Operate within the Psychological Society of Ireland's (PSI) Code of Ethics.
• Maintain and manage confidential data and client information.
  
  

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested by management from time to time and to reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.