Applications are now invited for the following positions:
Senior Art Therapist
0.2 WTE Fixed Term Contract (7 hours/week on a Tuesday)
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is seeking a Senior Grade Art Therapist to join our supportive and dynamic creative arts therapy team.
What We Offer:-
Professional supervision to support your clinical development.
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Access to an electronic health record system, enabling remote/hybrid working arrangements where applicable.
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Commitment to continuing professional development, with potential funding for additional training (subject to managerial approval).
Essential Requirements:-
Accredited master’s degree (or equivalent) in Art Therapy
- ICAT Registration
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Minimum of three years’ clinical experience
- Knowledge and experience of working with persons with complex mental health needs
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Proven ability to facilitate art psychotherapy groups in a mental health context both face-to-face and virtually
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Experience supporting service users with psychiatric illness across various ages and stages of recovery
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Teams and Outlook
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Must be capable of working across both day patient and inpatient services within two designated approved centres.
Desirable Experience:-
Delivery of art therapy in an inpatient mental healthcare setting is highly desirable
- Experience delivering group and individual interventions virtually
For informal enquiries please contact:
Sherrie Buckley,
Occupational Therapy Manager
Tel: 01 2493426
Email:
[email protected] (Applications should
not be made to this email address)
Please note that if you are viewing this advert via Irish jobs, the contact details for informal enquires above are not visible as Irish jobs do not allow telephone numbers or emails to be present in adverts. However, these details are visible in the advert on the St Patrick’s website in the career vacancies section.
Applications in the form of covering letter and Curriculum Vitae should be uploaded as
one document by
Sunday 19th July.
Panels may be formed from which future positions may be filledSt Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer
Please note that while we seldom work with recruitment agencies, on the rare occasions we specify that we will accept CVs from recruitment agencies, it is only from those who engage in ethical practice. We do not expect recruitment agencies to charge candidates for placements, and do not condone this behaviour as it is not accepted practice.
Job Description
About the organisation
St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality mental healthcare, to promoting mental health awareness, and to advocating for the rights of those experiencing mental health difficulties.
We employ over 700 staff across our services. We hold our staff in high esteem and regard them as our most important asset, enabling us to fulfil our mission. We strive to create and maintain a forward-looking environment where our staff can be innovative and experience satisfaction in their work. We are committed to ensuring the ongoing development of our staff.
SPMHS core values
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Human Rights – supporting dignity, choice and voice
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Quality Care – excellence in service delivery and collaboration
The role - Senior Art Therapist
(0.2 WTE Part time, Fixed Term Contract) – 1 year until 31st August 2027
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services seeks a Part time, Senior Art Therapist to work as a member of the creative arts therapy team in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services to ensure a high-quality service.
The Senior Art Therapist will report to the Occupational Therapy Manager.
The standard working week applying to the post is 7 hours per week on a Tuesday. This position may require some out of hours work as appropriate.
The benefits
By joining us, you become part of Ireland’s largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider, bringing lots of opportunities for your career. We offer you many employee benefits, including:
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A competitive salary range: €65,200 - €76,770, pro rata
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25 days annual leave, pro rata
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Pension scheme
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Ongoing training
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Paid study leave and funding for further education
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Support for career advancement and professional development
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Subsidised canteen and onsite gym
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Central locations
- Bike to Work and TaxSaver Commuter Ticket schemes
Location
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS), incorporating St Patrick’s University Hospital, James’s Street, Dublin 8; St Patrick’s Hospital, Lucan; Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, James’s Street, Dublin 8; and the Dean Clinics.
Responsibilities-
To assess service users referred to art therapy with respect to developing an appropriate treatment plan considering risk factors, complexity of presentation, service user needs, and service priorities.
- To deliver art therapy (group and individual) interventions for service users using evidence-based approaches both face-to-face and virtually.
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To develop a high level of specialist clinical skill relevant to the range of diagnoses presenting to SPMHS.
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To contribute specialist knowledge of Art Therapy to the overall treatment of service users through contribution at multidisciplinary team meetings when appropriate.
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To contribute to the development of the arts therapies research by facilitating placements for arts therapy students.
Clinical responsibilities-
To provide group and/or individual art therapy to service users, planning and reviewing treatment in conjunction with the service user and the multidisciplinary team in the context of their full treatment plan. Initial responsibility will be on the Pathways and Anxiety II day patient programme and SPL inpatient.
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To offer specialist treatment for those who would benefit from psychological therapy but find primarily verbal psychotherapy difficult.
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To work intensively and flexibly to sustain involvement with those who are at high risk of disengaging from treatment.
- To assess each service user’s suitability for individual or group art therapy and to ascertain from the ongoing review process a service user’s emotional stability, use of the therapy and ability to work with others towards the agreed aims of treatment.
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To refer on to other appropriate services after assessment or on discharge
- To assess risk and adopt appropriate measures to maintain a safe and therapeutically sensitive environment for all when faced with challenging behaviour. To contribute to the overall team risk assessment.
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To work with the service user to understand the content and context of their communication using the art making as a focus.
- To use sound judgement and interpretative skills to respond to art making and service user interaction as a means of developing self-awareness and greater understanding of self in relation to other.
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To work and think responsibly and constructively with the relevant multidisciplinary teams and any carers/supporters involved, drawing on clinical experience and theoretical knowledge to highlight and not collude with potentially destructive mechanisms of defence.
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To manage time limited therapy with due consideration to the ending in the context of the overall treatment programme.
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To work constructively and flexibly with people from different cultural, social and religious backgrounds.
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To integrate students into appropriate clinical situations whilst giving a level of support to ensure the safety of and benefit to both students and service users.
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To write reports and contribute to the writing of reports as required.
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To plan, develop and deliver art activities in conjunction with other activity department personnel when required
Managerial and Administrative-
To report any incidents, following correct procedure, having sought advice from line manager.
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To have a working knowledge of, and adhere to, current legislation including SPMHS clinical governance policies, Mental Health Act, Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act, Child and Vulnerable Adults, Data Protection etc.
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To ensure own ethical practice by working within the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists of Ethics and Guidelines for Clinical Practice and abiding by SPMHS policies and procedures.
- To be competent in the use of Microsoft office suite including Outlook, Word, MS Teams, and an electronic health record.
- To maintain accurate service user records including clinical documentation, report writing, data collection and statistics in accordance with SPMHS policies.
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To take an active part in own line management supervision including own appraisal.
Training-
To educate other professionals about art therapy (through workshops /presentations etc) and contribute to the training of students from other disciplines.
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To provide student training and clinical supervision to students.
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To make full and appropriate use of regular art therapy professional supervision
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To identify training and development needs through the professional and managerial supervision and performance development process and ensure they are linked to service objectives.
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To undertake Continuous Professional Development as required.
- To maintain skills and proficiencies as required to practise.
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To undertake SPMHS mandatory training as required
Policy-
To understand and implement policies and procedures of SPMHS.
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To maintain knowledge and awareness of operational issues relating to clinical practice.
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To ensure the safekeeping and confidentiality of all records
- Avoid dual role in SPMHS i.e., Arts in Health vs Art Therapy
Service Development-
To attend creative arts therapies service meetings and actively contribute to the development of the department in SPMHS.
- Review the art therapy provision in conjunction with the Line Manager and colleagues, proposing and making appropriate changes.
- When making changes to consider the views and needs of service users as well as the organization strategic plan.
- To ensure good lines of communication in adapting to organisational changes.
Management of resources - Financial/Physical-
To be responsible for the physical storage and setting out of art therapy equipment.
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To be responsible for and check the stock of art materials on a regular basis, advising what needs replenishing and ordering new stock working within the department budget.
Research and development-
To be aware of developments in good practice and adopt new practices where appropriate.
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To participate in evidence-based practice initiatives and department, directorate, and clinical service audits.
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To disseminate research information as appropriate with arts therapists and other clinicians so that clinical practice is appropriately informed by current developments in this field
This Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties. The person appointed may be required to perform other duties as appropriate which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the position.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Requirements:-
Accredited master’s degree (or equivalent) in Art Therapy
- ICAT Registration
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Minimum of three years’ clinical experience
- Knowledge and experience of working with persons with complex mental health needs
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Proven ability to facilitate art psychotherapy groups in a mental health context both face-to-face and virtually
-
Experience supporting service users with psychiatric illness across various ages and stages of recovery
-
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Teams and Outlook
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Must be capable of working across both day patient and inpatient services within two designated approved centres.
Desirable Experience:-
Delivery of art therapy in an inpatient mental healthcare setting is highly desirable
- Experience delivering group and individual interventions virtually
Competencies/Skills:-
Post qualification experience including experience of individual and group Art Therapy with individuals with complex mental health needs.
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Experience of undertaking Art Therapy assessments and the formulation of treatment plans for people with complex mental health needs.
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Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Communication of complex written and verbal information to service users, multidisciplinary team members and outside organizations.
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Awareness of budgetary issues
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Planning/delivering educational forums on Art Therapy.
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Ability to design and deliver a variety of art psychotherapy interventions
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Strong planning and organisational skills
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Strong attention to detail
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Excellent communication skills
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Ability to be flexible
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Self-motivated and accustomed to assuming responsibility
- Therapeutic Awareness – Empathy, Active Listening
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Ability to work as a member of the activity department team and multidisciplinary teams
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Ability to contribute to the development of the department budget
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Administrative skills to include record keeping, budget control, excel and Microsoft competent.
Note: All criteria outlined are essential unless otherwise indicated
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Tenure: 0.2 WTE Part time, Fixed Term Contract
Working Week: 7 hours per week, working on a Tuesday.
Salary: Appointment will be made at Senior Occupational Therapy salary scale (€65,200 - €76,700, pro rata), with salary depending on the experience of the successful candidate.
Annual Leave The annual leave associated with the position is 25 days, pro rata
Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme upon commencement of employment. The scheme is a defined contribution scheme with a deduction from the salary of the employee of 4%. In respect of an internal appointment being made the individuals existing pension arrangements will continue.
Probation: The appointee will be appointed in a probationary capacity for the first six months during which time the job holder’s performance will be subject to ongoing review.
Any extension to or suspension of the period of probation will be in line with the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) 2022.
Health: The appointee must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. The appointee will undergo a standard medical examination prior to commencing his/her work.
Character: The appointee must be of good character
Retirement Age: Normal retirement age for employees is 66 years which at present is also normal pension age.
