Earcaíocht SGS Seirbhísí Gnó Sláinte

Aras Sláinte ChluaininCluainín Ui Ruairc

Co. Liatroma

Teil: Tel: 00353 (0)71 9820773Faics/Fax: 00353 (0)71 9820598

HBS RecruitHealth Business Services

Aras Sláinte ChluaininManorhamilton

Co. Leitrim

Additional Campaign InformationHBS07595 Psychologist Staff Grade National Supplementary Recruitment Campaign

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in this role. It is our intention to form a panel as a result of this recruitment campaign as outlined in the Job Specification.

This document outlines how the recruitment process will be run and important dates. We highly recommend that you read this document before submitting an application.

1. Who should apply?

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals who meet the eligibility criteria for this role. Information on the eligibility criteria are available in the Job Specification.

We welcome applications from 2019 Postgraduate students due to qualify no later than 31 December 2019. Applicants who are successful at interview and have completed their studies may remain dormant* on the panel and may not be offered any post until they can provide evidence to HBS Recruit that they are in receipt of their final qualification/validation.

* Dormant = you retain your place on the panel but you are not contacted about opportunities

For more details On the qualifications and eligibility criteria please see Appendix 1. For information on “Non-European Economic Area Applicants” please see Appendix 2. The HSE

welcomes applications from suitably qualified non EEA Nationals who have refugee status. We would be grateful if such applicants would provide documentary evidence confirming their status.

2. How do I apply for this post?

You must submit a fully completed Application Form particular to this post. It is best to download the job specification and additional campaign information now for future

references as after the closing date they are no longer available on the website. Appendix 8 is an illustrative list of health settings deemed appropriate for past Psychologist Staff

and Senior Grade campaigns. The illustration is not a finite list, as it is limited to placements as part of a post graduate qualification or post qualification work experience of the applicant pool for that role. Having undertaken a placement or having worked in one of these settings does not automatically deem a candidate eligible. The placement or post qualification work experience must meet the entirety of the eligibility criteria which requires that the placement must provide: the opportunity to work directly with a range of clinical problems in terms of complexity and severity seen within a care group population e.g. Child (0-18), Adult (Lifespan), Disability (Lifespan), have the relevant supervision and meet the minimum time requirements)

HBS Recruit can only accept complete applications received by the closing date and time of Wednesday 15th May 2019 at 12 noon. If you submit more than one application the last one received prior to the closing date and time is the version that will be considered.

There is no need to sign e-mailed applications; we will request candidates to sign their application form at interview.

As we require the same information from all candidates in order to make fair decisions on their applications we will not be able to process applications by CV or any other method.

E-mail applications will receive an automated response within one working day during business hours, which will let you know that we have received your e-mail.

We check eligibility of the applicants after the closing date and time therefore it is important that you ensure you have fully demonstrated your eligibility for the role in your application form. If you omit information in this section pertinent to the eligibility criteria you will be deemed ineligible and subsequently not called forward to interview. This means that if your application is blank, you have sent the wrong version of your application form, missing competency questions, have no internet access etc or that you have not attached requested relevant supporting documentation, etc you will not be processed further.

Applications must be submitted as a Microsoft Word or PDF document format only. Applications stored on personal online storage sites, e.g. Onedrive, Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive etc will not be accepted, applications submitted in other file formats e.g. Google Docs will not be accepted. Please pay particular attention to ensure that your application is attached as an attachment (not a link to an on line storage site e.g. Google Drive) when emailing your application.

Please note that HBS Recruit will mainly contact you by email. Some communications are sent by post (e.g. invitations to interview, selection process results), therefore it is most important that your email address is included on your application form as well as your postal address. It is your responsibility to ensure you have access to your emails. If you choose to use your work email addresses you may receive communications that have a time deadline requirement while you may be working away or on leave. We recommend you use a personal email address to which you have regular access.

We will send you an e-mail to alert you when we have posted you a communication.

3. Candidates who CANNOT APPLY

Applications received from candidates who fall under the below categories will not be processed further in the selection process; this means that you will not be invited to interview.

Current panel members of the existing (primary and supplementary) National Panel for Psychologist Staff Grade (candidates on the existing panels will have received a communication regarding this new campaign.) The existing panel takes precedence over the new supplementary panel formed through this campaign. This means that all remaining candidates on the existing panel have a higher order of merit than the new supplementary panel.

Please note we cannot accept applications from applicants who are in receipt of pensions from particular superannuation schemes. Please see “Appendix 4” for more information on this.

4. Where are the posts located?

It is our intention to fill all permanent and specified purpose Psychologist Staff Grade vacancies throughout the HSE through this campaign.

We anticipate that from 16th July 2019 posts in HSE sites / services will be filled from the panel formed through this campaign, and posts will be offered on an order of merit basis.

5. I wish to work in a particular Care Group?

Successful applicants will be offered posts in overall order of merit for care groups selected during application, provided they meet the eligibility criteria to work in that particular care group (Appendix 1).

Care Groups:1. Disability Child2. Disability Adult3. Adult Psychology Services4. Child Psychology Services

5. Lifespan Primary Care

A further Care Group Area is identified as Lifespan Primary Care. In order to be eligible for positions in this Care Group, applicants must be successful at interview and panelled for both Adult Psychology Services and Child Psychology Services.

Please see Section 7 for further information on the formation of panels.

6. How will the selection process be run?

The purpose of this recruitment and selection process is to fill current and anticipated vacancies as provided in the job specification during the lifetime of the panel. A position on a panel is not a job offer and does not necessarily mean that you will be offered a post.

You must complete the relevant application form in full. If you do not complete the application form in full your application may not be submitted to the selection board for consideration and subsequent interview (if applicable).

A selection board of senior managers will assess your application form against the eligibility criteria to see how your individual experience and skills match the needs of the post. The criteria for the selection exercise are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

There may be a number of stages of selection and short-listing or a ranking exercise may take place. A ranking exercise is an assessment that may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of the job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements. 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.

Any applicant who does not meet the eligibility criteria/ is not shortlisted will be informed of that decision and the reason why.

Candidates invited to interview will be given more details regarding the interview at a later date. Candidates who are successful at interview will be placed on a panel in order of merit. Posts are offered to the candidate with the highest order of merit. Full details on how panels

operate are available in Appendix 5. We would like to highlight to you that interviews form a part of the selection process. The HSE

must be satisfied that it has a full and comprehensive suite of references which assures it that the applicant’s past performance and behaviours are appropriate to the post. The HSE determines the merit, appropriateness and relevance of references. The HSE reserves the right to remove candidates from specific recruitment panels and retract job offers if satisfactory clearances (e.g. past /current employment references, security clearances) cannot be obtained or are unsatisfactory. All previous employers may be contacted for reference purposes. Please note the HSE may retract a job offer if sufficient satisfactory references cannot be obtained in a time frame congruent with service need. The HSE reserves the right to retract a job offer should the successful candidate be unable to fulfil the provisions / criteria of the specific post in line with service need.

7. Formation of Panels

What is a panel?A panel is a list of candidates successful at interview placed in order of merit. Candidates are awarded a mark during the interview process and the candidate who scores the highest mark is placed first on the panel. Subsequent vacancies are then expressed to the panel in order of merit. If the number one successful candidate that expressed an interest on the panel refuses the job offer, it is then offered to the second candidate who expressed interest on the panel. Once a panel is formed, it remains in existence for 1 year and may be extended.

Care Groups A national panel will be formed based on the recruitment of candidates with relevant professional Psychology qualifications and experience and this panel will be divided into five sub panels to cover

the following areas: Disability Child, Disability Adult, Adult Psychology, Child Psychology and Lifespan Primary Care.You must select the speciality area/care group in which you are interested in working. The speciality areas/care groups are:

Care Groups:1. Disability Child2. Disability Adult3. Adult Psychology Services4. Child Psychology Services5. Lifespan Primary CareA further Care Group Area is identified as Lifespan Primary Care. In order to be eligible for positions in this Care Group, applicants must be successful at interview and panelled for both Adult Psychology Services and Child Psychology Services.

You cannot add a care group after the closing date and time for the submission of application forms. Eligible applicants will be interviewed based on their care group choices. If you do not specify at least one care group you will not be called forward to interview.

The panel is formed by order of merit by care group.

Can all candidates be offered posts in all care groups?No, candidates will be offered posts in order of merit for the Care Groups for those areas for which they applied, are eligible to work in and were deemed successful at interview.

If you are successful at interview posts will be offered as follows:

Qualified Clinical and Qualified Counselling Psychologists please read Section A Qualified through the in-service route prior to 2002 please read Section A Qualified Educational Psychologists please read Section B.Section A

Qualified Clinical or Qualified Counselling PsychologistIf you are qualified as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist you may be offered employment opportunities in all Psychology care groups for which you have applied, are eligible to work in and were deemed successful at interview.

Qualified through the in-service route prior to 2002Candidates who are employed in the post of Basic Grade Psychologist or above in the Irish Public Health Service, to whom the qualification requirements for Psychologist – Community Care or Clinical in place at the 22nd January 2002 applies (commonly known as “grandfathering”), will be offered posts in the Care Groups as recommended by the interview board. You may be recommended for some or all of the Care Group areas by the interview board.

Section B

Qualified Educational PsychologistIf you are qualified as an Educational Psychologist you may be offered employment opportunities in the Care Groups for which you have applied and are eligible to work in and were deemed successful at interview.

Marking SystemCandidates are given marks for skill areas during the interview. These elements are clearly indicated on the Application Form.Where candidates score the same marks a further ranking process will apply. A previously agreed skill area of the interview will be chosen to further rank successful candidates e.g. Karen and Mary are both successful at interview. They both score 421 at interview, which would place them at joint number 3 on the panel.If Professional Knowledge has been the secondary ranking area chosen then the candidate who has scored higher in this area and expressed an interest will receive the first job offer.Karen scored 69 in the Professional Knowledge element and Mary scored 68. Karen will be number 3 a. on the panel and Mary will be number 3 b. on the panel. Where candidates have the same mark on the secondary ranking, an additional ranking will be applied and so forth.Please note in order to be deemed successful for a panel you must be awarded a minimum score of 40 for each competency area.

Geography It is the intention of HBS Recruit to form panels by order of merit. However, should there be a very high volume of applicants or an urgent service need we may be required to call eligible applicants forward to the next stage of the process by geographic preference. This means that panels would be formed by in order of merit and geographical area. Please indicate your geographic preference on your application form. Please note we cannot accept changes to geographic choice after the closing date and time for the receipt of applications. Therefore you should choose the geographic area in which you would most like to work (one selection only permitted).

Future panels Please note that candidates successful at interview and placed on the panel formed through this campaign may not be considered as applicants for any supplementary campaigns to add to this panel.

Please note the HSE reserves the right to contact all available successful candidates in the event that panels are exhausted. The HSE reserves the right to extend the life of the panel to fill specified purpose and / or permanent vacancies that may arise. The HSE may modify panel management rules in line with service need during the life time of the panel and will notify all remaining candidates of any changes.

8. Acceptance / Declination of a Job Offer

The time lines and panel management rules (i.e. how posts are offered) for each individual post will be included in the email communication sent to you for each individual post which arises and is relevant to your order of merit on the panel. Please see Appendix 5 for a full outline of the panel management rules.

9. Campaign Time Scales

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is: Wednesday 15th May at 12 noon.

It is anticipated that interviews will be scheduled week commencing 24th June 2019 but this may be subject to change. We advise that you note these dates in your diary. Please note that you must provide recent photographic identification upon your arrival at interview, i.e. Driver’s Licence, Passport or Student/HSE Work ID. This identification will be checked and returned to you immediately on the day.

10. Security Clearance

When a panel member accepts a post they will need to apply for a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau if their role is engaged in relevant work (e.g. access to, or contact with, children or vulnerable adults). This process will be initiated by HBS Recruit for the confirmed successful candidate recommended for any post engaged in relevant work.

All appointments will require satisfactory security clearances. If you lived in any country for 6 months or more from the date of your 16th birthday other than the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland you will be required to provide security clearance for each jurisdiction in which you have resided. Your security clearance must be dated AFTER you left that country and cover the entire period of your residence. Seeking security clearances from other countries (e.g. UK, USA etc) are the responsibility of the candidate. It is a process which can take an amount of time. Therefore if you are interested in pursuing a career within the HSE we would strongly advise that you commence seeking international security clearances now. Please see Appendix 3 for more information on international clearances.

Please note if you require overseas security clearance and are unable to produce it at the time of job offer then the job offer may be withdrawn.

11. Appeal Procedures

Appointments in the HSE are made under a recruitment license and are subject to Code of Practice established by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice provides that candidates may make a request for review (see section 7 of the Code) OR make a complaint (see Section 8 of the Code) of any part of the appointment process that they feel is unfair or has been applied unfairly to them. These two forms of review procedure are mutually exclusive. Before submitting a request for review candidates should determine which procedure is appropriate to their particular circumstances

The procedures allow for matters to be resolved on an informal basis and candidates are advised to avail of the informal process before making use of the formal review procedure. Candidates should in the first instance make an informal appeal to Amanda Devins, Campaign Lead (Amanda.devins@hse.ie). Please note that informal appeals prior to interview must be submitted within 2 working days of receipt of a decision. Informal appeals after interview must be submitted within 5 working days of notification of a decision.

We encourage you to visit www.cpsa.ie for further information on the code of practice and informal and formal review procedures.

12. HSE Privacy Policy

HBS Recruit is committed to protecting your privacy and takes the security of your information very seriously. HBS Recruit aims to be clear and transparent about the information we collect about you and how we use that information. More information on the HSE Privacy Policy, is available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/privacy-statement/

Information on the General Data Protection Regulation is available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/gdpr

Appendix 1

Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:

i. Applicants must have a recognised university degree or diploma (QQI Level 8 Equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd class honour obtained in that subject AND a recognised professional post-graduated qualification in clinical, counselling or educational psychology or an equivalent qualification validated by the Department of Health.

AND

ii. Applicants with a clinical or counselling psychology qualification must demonstrate that they have acquired in appropriate health settings, for the areas for which they wish to apply – Disability (Child and Adult), Child Psychology, Adult Psychology – either at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical placements as part of the professional qualification or at least 60 days or equivalent post qualifications supervised work experience as a psychologist.

OR

iii. Applicants with an educational psychology qualification must demonstrate that they have acquired in appropriate health settings for the areas for which they wish to apply - Child Disability, Child Psychology - either at least 60 days or equivalent supervised clinical placements as part of the professional qualification or at least 60 days or equivalent post qualification supervised work experience as a psychologist.

AND

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

The above eligibility criteria apply without prejudice to applicants employed in a post of Psychologist or above in the Irish public health service at October 2002.

Note: Combinations of supervised clinical placement experience as part of the qualification and post qualification supervised work experience within a single care group area to give a total of 60 days are not acceptable.

The 60 days of supervised placements do not have to be acquired consecutively. However no more than three separate supervised placements, each with a minimum of 20 consecutive days, should be counted to make up the sixty days. For example, a candidate could have completed three separate supervised placements of 20 days duration in different semesters, months, years etc., this would also satisfy the 60 day requirement.

HealthA 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.

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

AgeAge 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 (Miscellaneous Provisions, Act 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 68 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

The eligibility criteria provided above are scheduled to change October 2019

Qualifications obtained outside the Republic of Ireland must be validated by the Department of Health.

Further details on this process can be found on the Department of Health website http://health.gov.ie/

The professional body for Psychologists in Ireland is the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). The PSI also provides information regarding the validation process, please see their website www.psihq.ie

Applicants who are successful at interview and have qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland may remain dormant on the panel and will not be offered any post until they can provide evidence to the HBS Recruit that their qualifications have been validated by the Department of Health. If you are offered a post and it subsequently emerges that your qualifications are not validated at the time of job offer, the job offer may be withdrawn and you may be made dormant on the panel.

Therefore if you are interested in pursuing a career in Psychology with the HSE, we strongly recommend that you commence the accreditation procedures now. Seeking accreditation / validation of qualifications is the responsibility of the applicant.

Please note accreditation / validation can take process for validation can take up to six months. The Directive 2005/36/EC provides for an application to be acknowledged within one month of receipt.  During this time, the application is scrutinised to ensure that the appropriate documentation has been submitted.  If the application is in order a formal acknowledgement is issued and timeframe for decision commences.  If not in order, a request for additional information is issued.  On receipt of the additional information, this is the date that the timeframe for decision commences, i.e. 4 months for EEA nationals and 6 months for Non EEA nationals.

NOTE ON THE VALIDATION PROCESSValidation is the process whereby non-Irish qualifications are assessed under EU Directive 2005/36/EC for their equivalence to the Irish qualifications required to work in the public health sector in Ireland. Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications, applies to all Member State nationals wishing to practice a regulated profession in a Member State other than that in which they obtained their professional qualifications

Applicants must be in receipt of a post graduate professional psychological qualification recognised by the professional body, the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or a LETTER OF ACCREDITATION / VALIDATION from the Department of Health at the time of job offer.

DefinitionsFor the purpose of clarity the following definitions apply in the context of recruitment for psychology positions within the HSE:

PSI Placement Accreditation StandardsClinical Psychology: Each trainee should spend a minimum of 60 days per placement but overall,trainees should be on placement for a minimum of 390 days of the total course time.

Counselling Psychology: Trainees should have a minimum of 450 hours supervised client contactexperience (accrued over a minimum period of 30 months based on at least 2 placement days perweek). Students must gain client experience in at least three settings at least one of which should be in a health care setting.

Educational Psychology: Trainees should complete 120 full days practical work experience in appliedsettings.

Appropriate Health SettingAn appropriate health setting is defined in this context to be a setting which facilitates placement/clinical experience to be gained where the trainees / students have the opportunity to be

supervised by an appropriate supervisor who is working within the health setting. The placement should include opportunities to acquire skills in assessment, formulation, intervention, evaluation and reporting with a range of clinical problems in terms of complexity and severity seen within a care group population e.g. Child (0-18) Adult, Disability (lifespan).

Statutory / Public health service setting outside of the Irish State will be considered on a case by casebasis.

Post-graduate professional psychology qualificationPost Graduate qualification means satisfactory completion of a PSI accredited professional trainingprogramme in clinical, counselling or educational psychology. Applicants with non Irish post graduatequalifications must have their qualification validated by the Department of Health.

Supervised PlacementA common definition of supervised clinical placement was developed based on the diverse accreditation standards pertaining to each qualification. This is defined as a period of clinical time spent under the supervision of an appropriately qualified senior psychologist. The placement must provide the opportunity to work with a range of clinical problems in terms of complexity and severity.To meet the eligibility criteria for psychology posts in the HSE all applicants must demonstrate that they have completed a placement of at least 60 days in a health setting supervised by a practitioner who fulfils PSI supervision accreditation criteria for the professional qualification in question. Counselling psychologists currently calculate placements using both days and hours. In their case, the 60 days in a health setting must comprise a minimum of 150 hours of direct client contact.

Post-qualificationPost Qualification is defined as time in supervised professional practice after acquiring a professionalqualification in clinical, counselling or educational psychology.

Appropriate post qualification professional work experienceSixty days or equivalent (60 days equates to 150 hours of supervised client contact) of clinical experience under the supervision of a more senior grade psychologist (relevant discipline of psychology applies).

2019 Postgraduate Students

2019 Postgraduate students due to qualify no later than 31 December 2019 are eligible to apply. 2019 postgraduate students, successful at interview but yet to complete their studies no later than 31 December 2019 will remain dormant* on the panel and will not be included in expressions of interest (offered any posts) until they provide evidence to HBS Recruit that they are in receipt of their final qualification.

Please note applicants who have qualified outside the Republic of Ireland must have their qualifications validated by the Department of Health. For full details on validation please see above.

*Dormant = you retain your place on the panel but you are not contacted about opportunities.

As per the Report of the Psychology Review Implementation Group June 2017, and the clarification received from National HR January 2018 the “Appropriate Health Setting” descriptor is as follows:

Adult PsychologyCandidates must demonstrate that they have gained at least 60 days (150 hours) supervised experience in the area of Adult Psychology.

Appropriate Health Care Setting:The experience needs to be in health care settings which provide access to a broad range of experience with people aged 18 years and over. The candidate will need to have gained experience in the following:

Working with clients as part of a wider multidisciplinary team involving a range of professionals e.g. Consultants/ Medical Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and other health care professionals.

Working in both community (e.g. community clinic or home based intervention) with exposure to work in inpatient settings (e.g. Mental Health Commission Approved Mental Health Centre or equivalent).

Client groups within the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE, Adult Psychology services encompass clients aged 18+ years with mild to severe mental health issues and co morbidities. Candidates:

Must have gained experience of engaging with clients in direct therapeutic work individually, in group settings and indirectly through consultation with other professionals or liaising with family members as appropriate.

Must have gained experience of working with a range of severity of psychological presentations from mild problems requiring early intervention (e.g. adjustment issues and mild depression and anxiety) to more severe and enduring mental health issues such as Psychosis and Eating disorders.

Must have gained experience in working with adults under 65years, adults aged 65years and over and people with co-morbid mental health and intellectual disability.

Must have gained exposure and experience of working with clients from minority groups.

Experience of Assessment and Intervention in the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE, Adult Psychology services are required to offer a broad range of assessments which inform their own and others practice. Adult Psychologists need to have clear formulations that lead to evidence based interventions with outcome evaluation. As such candidate must have worked in health care settings where:

They have gained experience in completing intake clinical assessments and used a range of psychometric assessments to assist in formulating and understanding of the client’s presentation.

They have gained experience of using psychometric instruments to assist with treatment planning and to review client progress overtime. These for example include assessments of personality, cognitive functional and neuropsychological assessments and more broad based inventories to measure mood, anxiety etc.

They have gained experience of using these psychometric tools to guide MDT colleagues in their work or to refer on to specialist services as appropriate.

They have gained experience in conducting risk assessments with particular reference to self harm and suicide and child protection and vulnerable adult issues and have a clear understanding of polices managing these issues.

They have had supervised experience in the applications of evidence based models (at least 2) of therapy to assist clients in working towards recovery.

They will have experience in writing correspondence and reports to document their clients work and inform MDT colleagues and/or GPs of the outcome of their work.

Child and Adolescent PsychologyCandidates must demonstrate that they have gained at least 60 days (150 hours) supervised experience in the area of Child and Adolescent Psychology.

Appropriate Health Care Setting:The experience needs to be in health care settings which provide access to a broad range and complexity of experience with both children and adolescents aged from birth to 18 years. The candidate will need to have gained experience in the following:

Working with child and adolescent clients as part of a wider multidisciplinary team involving a range of professionals e.g. Consultants / Medical Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists and other health care professionals.

Working in a community setting (e.g. Primary Care or Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and liaising with residential care or inpatient settings (e.g. TUSLA or Mental Health Commission Approved Mental Health Centre) as required.

Client groups within the Health Care Setting:

Within the HSE, Child and Adolescent psychology services encompass clients aged from birth to 18 years with mild to severe mental health issues and co morbidities. Candidates:

Must have gained experience of engaging with clients in direct therapeutic work individually, in group settings and indirectly through consultation with other professionals and liaising and intervening with and through family members or guardians as appropriate.

Must have gained experience of working with a range of severity and complexity of psychological presentations from mild problems requiring early intervention (e.g. adjustment issues and mild depression and anxiety) to more severe and enduring mental health issues such as childhood severe emotional dysregulation and eating disorders.

Must have gained experience in working with children and adolescents under 18 years with co-morbid mental health and intellectual disability.

Must have gained exposure and experience of working with clients from minority groups.

Experience of Assessment and Intervention in the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE, Child and Adolescent Psychology services are required to offer a broad range of assessments which inform their own practice and the practice of others. Psychologists need to have clear formulations that lead to evidence based interventions with outcome evaluation, it is essential that candidates must demonstrate that they have worked in health care settings where:

They have gained experience in completing psychological intake clinical assessments and used a range of psychometric assessments to assist in formulating and understanding of the client’s presentation.

They have gained experience of using psychometric instruments to assist with treatment planning and to review client progress overtime. These include assessments of personality, cognitive functional and neuropsychological assessments and more broad based inventories to measure mood, anxiety etc.

They have gained experience of using these psychometric tools to guide/advise MDT colleagues in their work or to refer on to specialist services as appropriate.

They have gained experience in conducting risk assessments with particular reference to self harm and suicide and child protection issues and have a clear understanding of polices managing these issues.

They have had supervised experience in the applications of evidence based models (at least 2) of therapy to assist clients in working towards recovery.

They will have experience in writing correspondence and reports to document their client work and inform MDT colleagues of the outcome of their work.

Adult DisabilityAppropriate Health Care Setting:The experience needs to be in health care settings which provide access to a broad range of experience with people with complex disabilities aged 18 years and over. The candidate will need to have gained experience with, or in, the following:

Working with service users as part of a multidisciplinary team involving a range of professionals which include disciplines such as, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Psychiatrists, Physiotherapists, and other health care professionals.

Working in a variety of settings such as residential settings, family homes, respite centres, day services, cross agency experiences, so that skills are developed in the multiplicity of settings requiring input to support Adults with complex disabilities.

Client groups within the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE and HSE funded services, Adult Disability services encompass clients aged18+ years with mild to high support disability related supports, and co morbidities.Candidates:

Must have gained experience of engaging with service users with disabilities such as intellectual disability, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, physical, emotional, behavioural, and sensory related disabilities, in direct work, and indirectly through consultation with other professionals, and front line staff teams.

Must have gained experience of working with a range of severity of psychological presentations from needs requiring early intervention responses to more severe and enduring support needs.

Must have gained experience in working with adults under 65 years, and where feasible adults over the age of 65yrs.

Will have gained experience in working with adults with communication and positive behavioural support needs and needs related to their level of functional and cognitive skills.

Must have gained experience of working with service users from minority backgrounds.

Experience of Assessment and Intervention in the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE and HSE funded services, Adult Disability services are required to offer a broad range of assessments which inform their practice. Psychologists need to have clear formulations that lead to evidence based interventions which are governed and adapted depending on need over the course of ongoing reviews with staff teams and/or families. As such candidate must have worked in health care settings where:

They have gained experience in using a range of psychometric assessments to assist in formulating and understanding of the service user’s presentation.

They have gained experience of using psychometric instruments to assist with treatment planning and to review client progress overtime. They include assessments of cognitive and adaptive functioning and more broad based inventories to measure mood, anxiety etc.

They have gained experience in the assessment process regarding dementia screening and assessments which illustrate differential diagnostic issues to consider and associated interventions with front line staff members, and families, post diagnosis.

They have gained experience in conducting risk assessments with particular reference to vulnerable adult issues, self-harm, behaviours directed against others, and have a clear understanding of policies, procedures, and interventions to support these issues.

They have had supervised experience in the application of evidence based models including Positive Behaviour Support and the process by which a Multi Element Behaviour Support Plan (MEBS) is formulated and implemented. The have experience in using least restrictive intervention approaches and how any restrictions can be reduced and eliminated.

They have experience in the responding to the requirements placed on psychologists in Adult Disability Services via regulations associated with inspections by The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)

They will have experience in writing reports, protocol, behavioural support assessments and interventions in collaboration with available multidisciplinary and frontline colleagues.

Child DisabilityThe experience needs to be in health care settings which provide access to a broad range of experience with children with complex disabilities with an age range spanning from Early Intervention (Birth to age 5/6 years) to School Age Services (Age 5/6 to 18 years). The candidate will need to have gained experience with, or in, the following:

Working with children as a member of a multidisciplinary team involving a range of professionals which include disciplines such as, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Early Education Specialists, Paediatricians, Physiotherapists, as well as relevant other health care professionals.

Working in a variety of settings such as preschools, schools, family homes, respite centres, including cross agency experiences, so that skills are developed in meeting needs across the range of settings required of a member of a Children’s Disability Team.

Supervised experience must be gained in services/teams who are, or will be, partners in the HSE’s national framework: Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People.

Client groups within the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE, Child Disability services encompass children aged from birth to 18 years with complex disabilities. Candidates:

Must have gained experience of engaging with children with disabilities such as, intellectual disability, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, physical, emotional, and sensory related disabilities, in direct work, and indirectly through consultation with their families, other professionals, and front line staff teams.

Must have gained experience of working with a range of severity of psychological presentations from needs requiring Early Intervention (birth to aged 5/6 years) to School Age Services (aged 5/6 years to 18 years).

Must have gained experience in completing a diagnostic workup from start to completion, including being a member of a team who informs parents of the disability experienced by the child.

Must have gained experience of supports required by parents on learning of their child’s life long needs.

Must have gained experience of working with service users from minority backgrounds.

Experience of Assessment and Intervention in the Health Care Setting:Within the HSE, Child Disability services are required to offer a broad range of assessments, including diagnostic assessments, and short and long term interventions. Psychologists need to have clear formulations that lead to evidence based interventions with outcome evaluations evident. As such, candidates must have worked in health care settings where:

They have gained experience in using a range of psychometric assessments to assist in formulating and understanding of the child’s presentation.

They have gained experience of using psychometric instruments to assist with treatment planning and to review the child’s progress overtime. They include assessments of cognitive and adaptive functioning and more broad based inventories to measure functional needs and goals; and address any social, behavioural, and emotional needs that may be present.

They are informed of emerging referral needs in the Children’s Disability Teams, such as gender identity issues and develop skills in the assessment and intervention of mental health needs, and the associated differential diagnostic issues that arise particularly for children with ASD, syndromes, and comorbid neurological conditions, such as epilepsy etc.

They have gained experience in the assessment and intervention needs of children across Early Intervention and School Age referrals working as part of a multidisciplinary team collaborating with key partners including parents, and staff members in preschools, schools, respite locations, etc.

They have gained experience of using risk assessments to while collaborating with multidisciplinary colleagues, frontline staff, and families in supporting the child.

They have gained experience in conducting risk assessments with particular reference to child protection, self-harm, self-injurious behaviours, behaviours directed to others, and have a clear understanding of policies, procedures, and best practice interventions to managing these support needs.

They have had supervised experience in the application of evidence based models including Positive Behaviour Support and the process by which a Multi Element Behaviour Support Plan (MEBS) is formulated and implemented with regard to behavioural challenges that can be self-directed and directed towards others.

They will have experience in writing correspondence and reports to inform multidisciplinary and frontline colleague of the outcome of their work.

Appendix 2

(i) EEA NationalsEEA nationals who do not require work permits / visas / authorizations are nationals of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Romania.

(ii) NON-EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA APPLICANTS WHO RESIDE WITHIN THE STATE In order that we can process your application it will be necessary for you to submit the following scanned documentation:

A scanned copy of your passport showing your identification i.e. the first page of your passport showing your photograph and personal details and current immigration stamp showing you have permission to be in this State.

And

A scanned copy of your current Certificate of Registration (GNIB card) showing Stamp 1, Stamp 4/ 4EUfam, Stamp 5

Or

A scanned copy of your current Certificate of Registration (GNIB card) showing Stamp 3 and scanned copies of the following:

Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate

And

Spouse’s passport showing their identification and current immigration stamp and their current GNIB card showing Stamp 1, 4 or 5

Or

If your spouse holds a Stamp 2 for the purposes of PhD study, please include a copy of their passport showing their identification and current immigration stamp and their current GNIB card showing Stamp 2 and documentary evidence from the relevant educational institution showing that they are a PhD student.

Applications that are not accompanied by the above documents where necessary will be considered incomplete and will not be processed any further.This means that your application will not be submitted for the ranking exercise and subsequent invitation to interview.For more details on EEA countries please see visit the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation website https://dbei.gov.ie/en/

Please note: The HSE welcomes applications from suitably qualified Non-EEA Nationals that have refugee status. We would be grateful if such applicants would provide documentary evidence confirming their status.

Appendix 3

When a panel member accepts a post they will need to apply for a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau if their role is engaged in relevant work (e.g. access to, or contact with, children or vulnerable adults). This process will be initiated by HBS Recruit for the confirmed successful candidate recommended for any post engaged in relevant work.

If you lived in any country for 6 months or more from the date of your 16 th birthday other than the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland it will be mandatory to provide security clearance for each jurisdiction in which you have resided stating that you have no convictions recorded against you while residing there. All appointments will require satisfactory security clearances. Please note if you require overseas security clearance and are unable to produce it at the time of job offer then the job offer may be withdrawn.

Your security clearance must be dated AFTER you left that country and cover the entire period of your residence. Seeking security clearances from other countries (e.g. UK, USA etc) are the responsibility of the candidate. It is a process which can take an amount of time. Therefore if you are interested in pursuing a career within the HSE we would strongly advise that you commence seeking international security clearances now.

Note: Candidates who studied outside of Ireland e.g. in the UK, please pay particular attention to this. You will require UK disclosure to cover the entire period you were in the UK. Clearance must be dated after you left the UK.

The following websites may be of assistance to you in this regard:

United Kingdomhttps://www.acro.police.uk/police_certificates.aspxhttp://www.police.uk/forces/ website will provide you with a link to each police force site in the UK. Click on the relevant force covering the area where you resided. A search under Data Protection or Data Access Request or Subject Access Request will bring you to the relevant section of that Police Forces website.https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/finding-job (This website will provide you with a list of registered agencies to contact in the UK who may process your request for UK clearance with the Criminal Records Bureau).

Australiawww.afp.gov.au This website will provide you with information on obtaining a national police clearance certificate for Australia

New Zealandwww.police.govt.nz This website will provide you with information on obtaining police clearance in New Zealand.

United States of AmericaPlease note that valid Security/Overseas Clearance from the USA must be obtained from the FBI only, https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks

FBI Clearance is valid for all of the United States and convictions / remarks occurring anywhere in the United States would be noted. Individual US State Clearance (e.g., New York State Clearance) is not acceptable as it is valid for that State alone and convictions / remarks occurring in other States may or may not be noted.

Other CountriesFor other countries not listed above you may find it helpful to contact the relevant embassies who could provide you with information on seeking Police Clearance.

Candidates please do not send us your overseas clearance or any other documentation unless we request it from you. Candidates who accept a job offer will have specified timeline within which to produce the required documentation; otherwise the job offer will be withdrawn. These timelines are communicated to you at proceed to pre-employment clearances stage – typically this is 5 working days.

When requested, a copy of your overseas Clearance will be retained on file and the original returned to you by post. Note: Any costs incurred in this process will be borne by the candidate.

Appendix 4

Persons in receipt of a pension from specified Superannuation Schemes

Former Health Service and Public Sector Employees must adhere to the relevant prohibition of re-employment provisions where they have previously availed of a Public Service Voluntary Early Retirement or Ill Health Retirement Pension from any of the following Pension schemes:

Local Government Superannuation Scheme (LGSS)Health Service Executive Employee Superannuation SchemeVoluntary Hospitals Superannuation Scheme (VHSS Officers/Non Officers)Nominated Health Agencies Superannuation Scheme (NHASS)Other Public Service Superannuation Scheme

Among the Voluntary Early Retirement Schemes referred to above are the following:

Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme 2010 (VER)

Prospective candidates must satisfy themselves as to their eligibility to be employed by the Health Service Executive before applying/competing for posts to be filled through this recruitment campaign.

Abatement of Pension (Section 52 of Public Service Pensions Act 2012)

Where a person who is in receipt of a Public Service Pension (e.g. retired on voluntary age grounds) is subsequently appointed to another Public Service post, the Abatement of Pension Regulations apply. This means that in a situation where the total of a person’s pension combined with their salary from their new post, exceeds the uprated (current) salary of the position from which they retired, his/her pension is reduced by any such excess amount. This provision applies irrespective of whether the relevant pension was accrued in the same Pension Scheme which applies to the new appointment, or in another Public Service Pension Scheme.

Appendix 5

Panel Management RulesIn this appendix we outline how individual posts are notified to candidates who are successful at interview and are placed on the recruitment panel in order of merit. The time lines and panel management rules for each individual post will be included in the email communication sent to you for each individual post which arises and is relevant to your order of merit on the panel.

Frequently used terms:Expression of Interest: An expression of interest simply means that you indicate that you would be interested in this job should it be offered to you.

Recommendation for Post: A recommendation to proceed simply means that you are the candidate who expressed an interest in a post and is highest in order of merit and will be invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process (pre-employment clearances) i.e. reference checking, occupational health and garda vetting etc

Order of Merit: The order of merit is initially decided by your score achieved at assessment/ interview i.e. candidates are listed in order determined by their score, the highest score achieved is no.1 on the panel, the second highest score is no.2 etc.

Permanent Whole Time PostsYou will have one working week++ in which to express an interest in a permanent post. You will be made aware by an “alert” text to your mobile phone to advise you of an e-mailed letter regarding the details of the post and the last date by which you may express an interest. You will also receive a description of the post / service as well as contact details for the Service Manager to discuss the service / department. We strongly recommend that you do so.

HBS Recruit may notify more than one candidate, in order of merit that a permanent post has arisen. This notification invites an expression of interest in a post and should not be considered an offer. The candidate who expresses an interest in the post and is highest in order of merit will then be invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process i.e. pre employment clearances. Candidates who do not express an interest or who reject a post when formally invited to proceed to pre-employment clearances will not be moved on the panel and their ranking on the panel will not change. If a candidate is not interested in a post they do not need to take any action and can ignore the job notification text and email. It is most important for candidates not to express interest in posts that there is little chance they would accept as this can cause large UNNECESSARY delays in the filling of posts and thus the provision of services.

Candidates who formally proceed to pre-employment clearances for a permanent post will no longer be eligible for any further expressions of interest and will be removed from the panel

Please note that candidates successful at interview and placed on the panel formed through this recruitment campaign will not be considered as applicants for future recruitment campaigns to supplement this primary panel. This applies if you are still active on the panel. (Panel members who have accepted a specified purpose contract are considered active panel members)

++ Where Service need requires the time span in which to express interest may be less than five working days. The time span and deadline for expressing interest will be clearly indicated on your text alert and in the expression of interest email. We strongly advise candidates to pay due attention to expiry times.

Permanent Part Time PostsVacancies may arise that constitute less than one full time post (i.e. less than one full working week). Where possible we will endeavour to merge vacancies together in order to create a full time post. If this is not possible we will proceed to express the part time post to candidates in order of merit. Permanent part time posts will be communicated to candidates in the same manner as permanent whole time posts.Candidates who do not express an interest or who reject a post when formally invited to proceed to pre-employment clearances will not be moved on the panel and their ranking on the panel will not change. If a candidate is not interested in a post they do not need to take any action and can ignore

the job notification text and email. It is most important for candidates not to express interest in posts that there is little chance they would accept as this can cause large UNNECESSARY delays in the filling of posts and thus the provision of services.

Candidates who formally proceed to pre-employment clearances for a part time permanent post will no longer be eligible for any further expressions of interest and will be removed from the panel.

Please note that candidates successful at interview and placed on the panel formed through this recruitment campaign will not be considered as applicants for future recruitment campaigns to supplement this primary panel. This applies if you are still active on the panel. (Panel members who have accepted a specified purpose contract are considered active panel members)

Specified Purpose Whole Time or Part Time You will have 48 hours in which to express an interest in a specified purpose post. You will be made aware by an “alert” text to your mobile phone to advise you of an e-mailed letter regarding the details of the post and the time by which you may express an interest in the job. You will also receive a description of the post / service and contact details for the Service Manager to discuss the service / department if you wish to do so.

HBS Recruit may notify more than one candidate, in order of merit that a specified purpose post has arisen. This notification invites an expression of interest in a post and should not be considered an offer. The candidate who expresses an interest in the post and is highest in order of merit will then be invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process i.e. pre employment clearances. Candidates who do not express an interest or who reject a post when formally invited to proceed to pre-employment clearances will not be moved on the panel and their ranking on the panel will not change. If a candidate is not interested in a post they do not need to take any action and can ignore the job notification text and email. It is most important for candidates not to express interest in posts that there is little chance they would accept if offered as this can cause large UNNECESSARY delays in the filling of posts and thus the provision of services.

Candidates, who proceed to pre-employment clearances for a specified purpose post will not receive any further expressions of interests for specified purpose posts, and will be classified as “dormant”. This means that you will not be contacted regarding any further specified purpose posts, which arise unless you notify HBS Recruit. At any time, after you take up duty should you be about to become available for specified purpose work again, you can contact HBS Recruit, who will immediately reactivate your status on the panel confirming your availability for specified purpose posts.

Candidates who take up specified purpose positions will not forfeit their ranking on the permanent panel. Candidates who do not take up or express an interest in specified purpose vacancies will not forfeit their ranking on the panel. Regardless of whether a candidate’s status on the panel is dormant (due to accepting a specified purpose post) or active, it will not affect in any way expressions of interest for permanent positions.

Interviews form a part of the selection process. The HSE reserves the right to remove candidates from specific recruitment panels and retract job offers if satisfactory clearances (e.g. past /current employment references, security clearances) cannot be obtained or are unsatisfactory.

Note on References: The HSE must be satisfied that it has a full and comprehensive suite of references which assures it that the applicant’s past performance and behaviours are appropriate to the post. The HSE determines the merit, appropriateness and relevance of references. Please note the HSE may retract a post if sufficient satisfactory references cannot be obtained in a time frame congruent with service need. The HSE reserves the right to retract a job offer should the successful candidate be unable to fulfil the provisions / criteria of the specific post in line with service need.

Appendix 6

Request for a SKYPE Interview

HBS Recruit endeavours to accommodate eligible applicants with a SKYPE interview who would otherwise have to undergo an inordinately long journey as well as prohibitive costs to attend an interview in person.

This is a limited resource, to ensure those applicants with the greatest need (inordinately long journey and prohibitive costs) are prioritised within these limited resources, we are required to ask applicants who have requested a SKYPE interview to provide evidence as to why they require an interview in this format.

Evidence = a scanned copy/photograph of any of the following: overseas residence permit or utility bill in your name / proof of current overseas employment. Whichever you wish to submit must show your name, your overseas address and must be from a recent date (within 2 months of the closing date).

Applicants requesting a SKYPE interview must detail their request on their application form and submit the following documentation with their application form:

1. Evidence of residence (a scanned copy / photograph as outlined above) 2. Your SKYPE ID 3. A copy of your current passport (photographic page)

The above documentation must be provided no later than the closing date and time for the submission of completed application forms.

Regrettably we cannot facilitate applicants with a SKYPE interview who do not provide the documentation as outlined above.

Information for applicants undertaking a SKYPE interview

Applicants invited to interview through SKYPE will be informed that they will be interviewed through this medium.

HBS Recruit will then issue applicants with a contact request through SKYPE. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they accept this contact request.

An email will be issued to you once we have sent you a SKYPE contact request. At this point you will be advised to check your SKYPE account and accept the contact request.

If you do not receive this contact request, it is your responsibility to notify HBS Recruit by email to applyallied@hse.ie quoting the Campaign Reference Number.

Depending on your individual SKYPE account settings, we may be required to undertake a SKYPE test call in order to ensure that contact details are correct and that HBS/NRS SKYPE account can contact your SKYPE ID.

Please note SKYPE test calls and interview times will be conducted during working hours (GMT Ireland)

A further communication with detailed instructions on conducting your SKYPE interview will be issued to applicants in advance of their interview.

Candidates attending SKYPE interviews will be required to show the photographic page of their Passport to the screen at the commencement of the interview. Candidates will be asked to confirm that they have read and understood the General Declaration on the Application form and this information will be recorded in the notes. This is in the absence of the candidate being at the interview in person to sign their application form.

SKYPE calls are carried over the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) which requires a strong internet connection. We recommend that candidates attending a SKYPE interview ensure that they are in a location with the necessary broadband speeds needed to support VOIP prior to the commencement of their interview. Where the connection is too weak to support the call, a number of attempts will be made to contact the candidate. Where this fails, we will endeavour to reschedule the interview within the scheduled interview period if possible. Where this is not possible, the interview process for all other candidates will continue and the panel will be formed.

Appendix 7

This appendix details the documentation you must bring to interview with you. If you are invited to interview you will receive a letter detailing what documentation is required to be presented at interview

You will be required to produce the following documentation upon your arrival for your interview. Candidates who do not bring the required documentation listed below will not be admitted to interview.

Form of recent photographic identification i.e. drivers licence, passport or student/ HSE Work I.D. This identification will be checked and returned to you immediately on the day.

Appendix 8

Below is an illustrative list of health settings deemed appropriate for past campaigns. The illustration is not a finite list, as it is limited to placements as part of a post graduate qualification or post qualification work experience of the applicant pool for that role and past campaigns. Having undertaken a placement or having worked in one of these settings does not automatically deem a candidate eligible. The placement or post qualification work experience must meet the entirety of the eligibility criteria which requires that the placement must provide: the opportunity to work directly with a range of clinical problems in terms of complexity and severity seen within a care group population e.g. Child (0-18), Adult (Lifespan), Disability (Lifespan), have the relevant supervision and meet the minimum time requirements).

Care Group Health Setting

Disability (Child and / or Adult)

Ability WestBrothers of CharityCentral Remedial ClinicCheeverstown HouseCoActionDaughters of CharityDevelopmental & ASD Psychology ServicesEnable IrelandHSE Disability ServicesHSE Early Intervention TeamsHSE Mental Health ServicesHSE Primary Care ServicesHSE Regional Autism Service, Beechpark Services HSE School Age TeamsKerry Intervention and Disability ServicesMid West Disability Services Early Intervention & School Age TeamsMuiriosa FoundationScope VictoriaSpringtime Galway Early Intervention ServicesSt Catherines Association LtdSt Gabriels School & CentreSt John of GodSt Josephs FoundationSt Michaels HouseStewarts CareWestern Care AssociationSt Pauls, Beaumont

Adult Psychology Falkirk & District Association for Mental HealthHSE Mental Health ServicesHSE Primary Care ServicesLondon and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Unit The LadywellMater Misericordiae / Community Adult Mental Health ServiceNHS Forth ValleyMidway Services North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustSt James's Hospital Mental Health Services

St John of God Adult Mental Health ServicesSt John of God Cluain Mhuire Adult Mental Health ServicesSt. Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ DublinSt Vincents University Hospital - Adult Clinical Psychology Service FairviewTees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust Integrated Learning Disability Team

Child Psychology

HSE Child & Adolescent Mental Health ServicesHSE Primary Care ServicesLakes District Health Board Taupo Mental Health Child Adolescent and Family ServicesMater CAMHs (Dublin North City & County CAMHS)Priory Private Hospital, Child & Adolescent Service, LondonTees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust Child & Adolescent Mental HealthTemple Street University Hospital Mental Health Services

Appendix 9

Illustration of how you might consider BEST approaching Section 4A or 4B of the application form

As a Trainee Psychologist (placement)My placement in the area of Adult Psychology consisted of 120 days as a trainee counselling psychologist under the direct supervision of a senior psychologist. This placement took place in a community mental health team (sector A of the HSE CHO Area 5) and formed part of my training as a Counselling Psychologist. During this placement I worked with adults across the age range 18 to 65. In addition was able to gain some experience with a number (ideally specify number) of older adult clients who attended a local older adult service as part of this placement. The community mental health team provided a multidisciplinary service to a broad range of clients with psychological difficulties and mental health disorders. I had the opportunity to gather experience and reach competency in the area of engagement, assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation across a range of psychological disorder. These disorders included, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, the effects of trauma I also had the opportunity to co-facilitate a group intervention in the local acute inpatient unit. This placement allowed me to develop a significant range of practical and conceptual skills associated with working as a psychologist in adult mental health services. Through initially observing and thereafter taking on my own case load my supervisor observed my ability to deal with complex issues and make informed judgements, considering multiple sources of information. My competencies in assessment included using a variety of self-report measures, psychometric assessments and personality assessments. In this placement I have gained competencies to provide interventions within a framework of evidence based practice these included Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Behaviour Therapy and Interpersonal psychotherapy.

As a Qualified Psychologist (work experience)I have been working as a Psychologist Staff Grade in a community mental health team (sector A of the HSE CHO Area 5) for the past three years, under the direct supervision of a senior psychologist. My caseload involves working with adults across the age range 18 to 65. This includes working with a number (ideally specify number) of older adult clients who attend a local older adult mental health service. The community mental health team provide a multidisciplinary service to a broad range of clients with psychological difficulties and mental health disorders. Working with clients across a wide range of disorders including Anxiety, Depression, OCD, the effects of trauma, I provide the appropriate engagement, assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation across a range of psychological disorder. My current role includes the facilitation of a group intervention in the local acute inpatient unit. My current role allows me to work across a significant range of practical and conceptual skills in adult mental health services. I engage fully in supervision with the Senior Psychologist, who has observed my ability to deal with complex issues and make informed judgements, considering multiple sources of information. My competencies in assessment included using a variety of self-report measures, psychometric assessments and personality assessments. To date, I have gained substantial experience in providing interventions within a framework of evidence based practice these included Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Family Behaviour Therapy and Interpersonal psychotherapy.

Illustration of how NOT to approach Section 4A or 4B of the application form

As a Trainee Psychologist (placement)My placement involved working with adults with an average age range of 42 years. Most of the clients had mental health problems some with low mood and anxiety. My work on this placement took place over six months on a part time basis and I had a full case load and provided psychotherapy under the supervision of a senior psychologist. New clients were allocated at the weekly meeting and following assessment I provided different models of psychotherapy. When my clients were ready for discharge I discharged them back to their GP. In situations where the person’s problem was very complex the person was referred to the other services in the area.

I acquired a wide range of skills and used assessments with all my clients to assist in the delivery of intervention. This placement provided an opportunity for me to gain a variety of skills and experiences with adults in a mental health setting.

As a Qualified Psychologist (work experience)

My current role involves working with adults with an average age range of 42 years. The majority of my clients have mental health problems typically low mood and anxiety. I engage with the Senior Psychologist for supervision. New clients are allocated to my caseload at our weekly meeting and following assessment I provide different models of psychotherapy. Once my clients are ready for discharge, they are referred back to their GP. In situations where the client’s problem was very complex the client was referred to the other services in the area.

I acquired a wide range of skills and used assessments with all my clients to assist in the delivery of intervention. This placement provided an opportunity for me to gain a variety of skills and experiences with adults in a mental health setting.