Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Fixed Term (6 months), Part Time (0.70 WTE)
Job Title and Grade
Psychologist Staff Grade
Closing Date
Wednesday June 24, 2026, 5pm.
Taking up Appointment
A start date will be indicated at contracting stage.
Location of Post
Rotunda Hospital.
Details of Service
The Rotunda Hospital, located in Dublin, is Ireland's leading provider of maternity, neonatal, and gynaecological care, and is renowned as the world's oldest continuously operating maternity hospital. Its Neonatal Department delivers comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to over 1,400 infants annually, including those born prematurely (less than 32 weeks gestation), with very low birth weight (under 1,500g), or with complex medical needs.
The Neonatal Department serves a diverse population from Dublin and surrounding regions, offering multidisciplinary care that includes neonatologists, nurses, therapists, and psychologist. This collaborative approach ensures that each infant receives tailored support to achieve optimal developmental outcomes.
Reporting Relationship
The professional reporting relationship for clinical governance will be to the Head of Department of Neonatology along with the Director of Midwifery for HR and accountability for day-to-day operational matters. Clinical Supervision will be provided by Senior Clinical Psychologist in the Neonatal Unit.
Purpose of the Post
Provide a psychology service in line with team service plans and objectives and within established professional standards, guidelines and policy.
Primarily the role is focused on delivering the Neonatal Developmental Screening Programme in collaboration with the Neonatal Senior Clinical Psychologist. The Neonatal Developmental Screening Programme formally assesses the development of high-risk infants, particularly those with very low birth weight and those who have experienced Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE). Assessments are conducted using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, ideally at two years corrected gestational age for preterm infants and two years chronological age for term infants. The programme evaluates cognitive, language, and motor skills, incorporating parental insights on social-emotional and adaptive behaviour development.
Neonatal psychology is a rapidly evolving field, reflecting increased awareness of the psychological and neurodevelopmental needs of both infants and families within neonatal care. The service priorities include early identification of global delay and indicators of developmental differences, the integration of trauma-informed and infant mental health approaches in to our Neonatal Department, and the promotion of secure parent-infant attachment.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Standard Duties and responsibilities:
Professional / Clinical
The Psychologist Staff Grade will:
Be responsible for the delivery of professional psychology services appropriate to the post in line with best practice.
Carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post.
Provide psychological assessments of the client group based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of data from a variety of sources including psychological tests, self-report measures, direct and indirect observation and interviews with clients, family members and/or carers.
Formulate and implement plans for psychological therapeutic intervention or management based on an appropriate conceptual framework, working in home and clinical settings as appropriate.
Exercise professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients whose problems are managed using psychologically based care plans.
Provide professional reports as required in accordance with professional standards.
Foster an understanding of the role and contribution of psychology by providing professional consultation, education, guidance and support to others as appropriate.
Communicate effectively and work in co-operation with other team members and others to ensure integrated service provision.
Contribute to and participate in inter-agency work practice and service delivery as required.
Attend meetings, committees and/or conferences as required.
Work within limits of professional competence in line with principles of best practice, professional conduct and clinical governance.
Be aware of and refer the service user to other services as necessary.
Work in an ethical and professional manner at all times.
Promote a culture that values equality, diversity and respect in the workplace
Research & Evaluation
The Psychologist Staff Grade will:
Utilise evidence-based literature and research to support effective practice.
Undertake project management including audit and service evaluation with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.
Participate in evaluation of all clinical activity within the post and provide such information as required by the Head of Department for the purpose of service monitoring and evaluation.
Undertake appropriate research and provide research advice as appropriate.
Publish research outcomes in professionally recognised journals and share information on outcomes at professional conferences where appropriate.
Represent a professional viewpoint in relation to nationally accepted good practice and to ensure a high level of ethical standards and professional conduct.
Education & Training
The Psychologist Staff Grade will:
Attend mandatory training programmes.
Be informed of advances in professional knowledge and practice.
Participate in continuous professional development initiatives and ensure compliance with statutory registration requirements.
In collaboration with the Senior / Principal Psychologist, attend training courses as informed by service requirements and career and personal development planning
Engage in and utilise clinical supervision effectively.
Health & Safety
The Psychologist Staff Grade will:
Adequately identify, assess, manage and monitor risks within their area of responsibility.
Comply with policies, procedures and safe professional practice and adhere to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.
Administrative
The Psychologist Staff Grade will:
Maintain appropriate service user records, databases and statistics in accordance with HSE requirements and local guidelines, Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts and other relevant legislation.
Maintain professional standards with regard to service user and data confidentiality
Actively participate in development and continuing improvement initiatives of psychological services in liaison with the Senior / Principal Psychologist / relevant others.
Provide service reports / data as required.
Contribute to the development and implementation of information sharing protocols, audit systems, referral pathways and integrated care arrangements.
Maintain an awareness of HR policies and procedures / engage in recruitment processes and other HR functions as required.
Maintain professional standards with regard to service user and data confidentiality.
Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Rotunda and the Irish Health Service
As a mandated person under the Children First Act 2015 you will have a legal obligation to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to TUSLA & to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report
Staff will work in accordance with the principles and values of recovery as described in the National Framework for Recovery for Irish Mental Health Services 2018-2020.
The above is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience
Professional Qualifications
Candidates must have at the latest date of application:
Applicants must have a recognised university degree or diploma (Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) level 8 equivalent) obtained with 1st or 2nd class honours in which Psychology was taken as a major subject and honours obtained in that subject AND a recognised professional post-graduate qualification in clinical, counselling or educational psychology or an equivalent qualification validated by the Department of Health.
AND
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 qualification supervised work experience as a psychologist.
OR
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
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.
Entry to competition / recruitment process
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Skills, competencies and/or knowledge
Demonstrate experience of applying evidence based practice.
Demonstrate sufficient professional / clinical knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge to best practice.
Demonstrate competence in delivering a professional service.
Demonstrate a commitment to providing a quality service.
Demonstrate knowledge of research methods.
Demonstrate the ability to plan and deliver care in an effective and resourceful manner within a model of person-centred care.
Demonstrate the ability to manage self in a busy working environment.
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions.
Display effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, etc.
Display awareness and appreciation of the service user and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.
Demonstrate effective team skills.
Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change.
Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively.
Demonstrate a willingness to develop Information and Communications Technology skills relevant to the role.
Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.
Demonstrate an awareness of the organisation of the Irish Health Service.
Competition Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview
Essential Experience
Experience working with infants and families in the neonatal, paediatric hospital, or community settings
Experience of completing comprehensive psychological assessments with young children
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Knowledge of infant mental health and parent infant relationships
Applications for this post must be accompanied by a cover letter, setting out relevant experience that illustrate how the criteria are met.
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
Psychologist Staff Grade
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
There is currently a fixed term (six months), part-time (0.70 WTE) vacancy available.
The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part-time duration may be filled. The tenure of these posts will be indicated at "expression of interest" stage.
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the post is Psychologist (pro rata - part-time):
€63,222 €67,244 €70,102 €73,088 €76,057 €78,998 €82,704 €87,056 €92,207 €97,424 €101,673 €104,951 €108,234 LSIs
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer stage.
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at contracting stage.
