Positive Behaviour Ireland jobs

Nua Healthcare Services (Nua) is Ireland’s leading private provider of residential, supported living, day, community outreach, and specialist mental health services for children and adults with complex support needs.

The Low Secure Unit (LSU) provides specialist secure mental health services for adult males with severe and enduring mental health difficulties, including individuals who may have a history of offending behaviour or involvement with the criminal justice system. The LSU delivers assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery-focused care within a multidisciplinary framework, supporting individuals to achieve collaborative rehabilitation goals in a safe, therapeutic, and secure environment.

The LSU supports individuals presenting with a range of needs, including:

• Severe and enduring mental health difficulties

• Psychosis and other complex mental health presentations

• Personality disorders and associated relational difficulties

• Mental health rehabilitation and recovery needs

• Behaviours of Concern

• Complex trauma-related presentations

• Risk assessment and risk management needs

• Difficulties related to emotional regulation, interpersonal functioning, and engagement with treatment

• Neurodevelopmental needs, including autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), where applicable

• Acquired Brain Injury and associated cognitive support needs, where applicable

  
  

The LSU operates within a multidisciplinary, recovery-oriented model, supporting individuals to develop collaborative rehabilitation goals, increase independence, reduce risk, and progress towards their identified recovery outcomes within a safe and therapeutic environment.

Benefits of joining Nua Healthcare!

• Company Pension
• Specific Illness Civer
• Comprehensive Induction process
• Continuous Professional Development
• Fantastic development & career opportunities
• Life Assurance/Death-in-Service
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Bike to work Scheme.
• Refer/Retain a friend bonus.
• Discounts with Retailers - Nationwide

We are seeking applications from energetic and enthusiastic individuals to join our team as an Assistant Clinical Psychologist. The successful candidate will demonstrate our Mission, Vision, and Values while supporting the delivery of high-quality, person-centred psychological services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Clinical Psychologist and Senior Clinical Psychologist in the systematic provision of specialist Clinical Psychology services to patients within the Low Secure Unit who present with complex, severe, and enduring mental health difficulties requiring treatment in a secure hospital setting.
• Work collaboratively with adult males who have severe and enduring mental illness and a history of offending or involvement with the criminal justice system, supporting their individual rehabilitation and recovery goals.
• Contribute as an active member of the Psychology Department, working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver integrated, recovery-focused, person-centred care.
• Assist in delivering a range of psychological services, including psychological assessments, diagnostic assessments, case formulation, intervention planning, reports, and clinical recommendations under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist.
• Assist in the preparation, presentation, and communication of psychological reports and recommendations to the multidisciplinary team and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the delivery of psychological assessment and intervention programmes, including direct and indirect interventions, individual and group-based therapeutic work, and the development of evidence-based treatment plans.
• Participate fully in multidisciplinary team meetings, contributing to integrated care planning, collaborative rehabilitation programmes, and person-centred care plans.
• Assist in providing psychological consultation, reflective practice, staff support programmes, and training to enhance psychological understanding and promote trauma-informed practice across the service.
• Receive regular clinical supervision from Senior Clinical Psychologists in specialist areas including forensic mental health, psychological formulation, and structured professional judgement and risk assessment.
• Work safely and effectively within the relational, procedural, and physical security requirements of a low secure forensic mental health environment.
• Maintain professional, ethical, and clinical standards in accordance with relevant legislation, professional codes of practice, and regulatory requirements.
• Keep up to date with developments in Clinical Psychology, forensic mental health, research, evidence-based practice, and service development through continuing professional development and ongoing training.
• Participate in all mandatory and role-specific training programmes.
• Comply with all Company policies, procedures, governance requirements, and professional standards.
• Promote and deliver services in line with the Company's values, philosophy, and commitment to high-quality, recovery-oriented care.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder will be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post

Essential Criteria:

• Master’s degree in Psychology or a related psychological discipline.
• All candidates must meet the registration requirements of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of people and an ability to work effectively with individuals across different age groups.
• Excellent listening skills, with strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to demonstrate patience, tact, empathy, and understanding of individual needs.
• Practical, creative, and solution-focused approach with a positive “can-do” attitude.
• Demonstrates initiative, enthusiasm, sound judgement, common sense, and a strong knowledge base relevant to the role.
• Ability to recognise and understand the range of factors that can influence an individual’s behaviour, wellbeing, and outlook.
• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple activities effectively.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative, and make appropriate decisions while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrates a responsible and professional approach, maintaining confidentiality and respecting the dignity and rights of service users.

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience working as an Assistant Psychologist is desirable.
• Experience working within a forensic psychiatry, low secure, or secure hospital setting is an advantage.
• Experience supporting forensic psychological assessments, risk assessments, and case formulation.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health difficulties.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Proven ability to produce clear, concise, and professional reports and psychological documentation.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective professional relationships.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently within a clinical environment.

Key Skills:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to develop positive, therapeutic relationships with individuals with complex needs.
• Strong report writing, assessment, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to use initiative.
• Understanding of psychological assessment, formulation, and evidence-based interventions.
• Commitment to professional, ethical, and person-centred practice.
• Ability to work effectively in a challenging and secure environment.
• Proficient IT skills and accurate record keeping.

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