Assistant Psychologist Vacancy (Galway Office) — My Psychology Ireland

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Introduction & Details of the Service

My Psychology Ireland is a Psychological Therapies practice based in Galway City, offering in-person appointments and online appointments (nationwide). The practice is run by Dr Patricia Barber, Chartered Counselling Psychologist. The current team is made up of Senior Psychotherapists, Counselling & Clinical Psychologists. The practice offers psychological assessment and intervention to adults and children for a wide range of presentations.

 

The role of an Assistant Psychologist has been developed in response to the demand for services, and to offer those wishing to gain further clinical experience a structured route into the field. The role has been shaped through in-depth discussions with previous Assistant Psychologists, clinical supervisors, training programmes, and insurance providers, and is delivered in line with guidelines from the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

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This position is for 8 hours, in our Galway office. 

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The Assistant Psychologist Role

The role of an Assistant Psychologist within My Psychology Ireland will be:

• To deliver 1-1 psychological therapy to adults and children under direct clinical supervision.

• To conduct initial triage appointments, gathering relevant clinical information from prospective clients to support appropriate onward allocation within the practice.

• To prepare therapeutic and psychoeducational resources for use in individual and group work.

• To support the principal psychologist and other therapists in the delivery of psychological services.

• To maintain accurate clinical records and case notes in line with professional standards.

• To gain insight and knowledge into working privately as a psychologist, including administrative tasks and responsibilities related to the day-to-day running of the practice.​

The Assistant Psychologist will be clinically supervised directly by Dr Patricia Barber, Chartered Counselling Psychologist. Supervision is delivered strictly in line with PSI Guidelines for the Employment of Assistant Psychologists.

 

Over time, the role is expected to expand to include delivering sessions at outreach locations (e.g. GP practices), in addition to work at the practice base.

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Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical

• To engage in supervised 1-1 direct client-facing work, delivering evidence-based interventions to adults and children attending the practice. This may include guided self-help, psychoeducational material, individual or group work.

• To conduct initial triage appointments, collecting relevant background and presenting information from prospective clients to inform appropriate onward referral or allocation.

• To contribute to the assessment of clients requesting to engage in therapy within the practice.

• To contribute to clinical case formulations.

• To prepare and adapt therapeutic resources and materials for client sessions and group work.

• To engage with the families and carers of those who attend the practice, as appropriate.

• To operate within the PSI Code of Ethics.

• To deliver training within development days and to other professionals, as required.

• To ensure the protection of service user data in accordance with the PSI Code of Ethics and relevant data protection legislation.

• To have a working knowledge of, and adhere at all times to, relevant national and local policy in relation to safeguarding children (e.g. Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children), safeguarding adults, and infection prevention and control.

• To maintain clinical practice that reflects the diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic needs of individuals who engage with the practice.

• To participate in relevant induction training.

Organisational

• To plan, prioritise, and manage one's workload in line with the objectives of the Assistant Psychologist role.

• To maintain records and case notes in line with professional guidelines and standards.

• To attend CPD events as agreed with Clinical Supervisor.

• To support the practice with administrative tasks.

• To conduct research, audit, and service evaluations as required.

The above is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved, and the post holder may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post as assigned from time to time

 

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Qualifications and Experience

Essential Requirements

Candidates must have:

1. Eligibility for graduate membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

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  2. (A) Evidence of 90 days' work experience in a clinical setting or with a marginalised or vulnerable client population (full or part time, paid or voluntary work);

OR

  2. (B) Completion (or near-completion) of a Master's degree in Psychology. If in the process of completing a Master's, one referee must be associated with the programme and able to speak to your progress to date.

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3. Evidence of knowledge and application of an evidence-based therapeutic modality (e.g. CBT), gained through academic study, training, or supervised clinical experience.

 

4.  Evidence of excellent interpersonal effectiveness and communication (written communication will be assessed via the application form);

5. Evidence of specialist knowledge related to psychology;

6. Evidence of excellent organisation skills, including the ability to gather and record clinical information accurately (e.g. in triage/intake settings);

7. Evidence of the capacity to self-reflect, in the context of supervision, in receiving developmental feedback, and in clinical work.

8. Availability to work evenings and weekends as part of the scheduled rota.

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Desirable Requirements

• Access to own transport, with a full driving licence, as the role will over time involve delivering sessions at outreach locations (e.g. GP practices) in addition to the practice base.

• Previous experience of evidence-based mental health interventions with vulnerable/in-need populations.

• Previous experience of clinical interview, triage/intake work, and use of psychometric assessment.

• Proven capacity to work in a high-pressure environment with competing demands.

• Capacity to "sit with" client distress.

• Awareness of and ability to work in an inter-disciplinary manner.

• Awareness of issues of confidentiality and child protection when working with clients.

• Demonstrated awareness of the value of effective supervision.

• Demonstrated flexibility and openness to change.

• Information technology skills.

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Conditions of Service

General

The appointment is to an Assistant Psychologist contract with My Psychology Ireland, structured as follows:

• Induction/Training Period: 6 weeks, paid, at 4 hours per week. This period is training and shadowing only — no independent client-facing work.

• Probationary Period: 3 months within the contract term.

• Contract: 1-year fixed term, confirmed on successful completion of the probationary period.

Hours

Hours are 4 hours per week for the first 6 weeks (induction/training period), stepping up to 8 hours per week thereafter, with the possibility of further increases over time subject to experience, performance, and service demand. Hours will include a mix of evening and weekend slots as part of the scheduled rota, to meet client demand outside standard office hours.

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Pay

€34,070 per annum FTE, pro rata

Annual leave will be provided pro rata.

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Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting will be required for this position before commencement.

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How to Apply

Candidates must submit the application available through the link below along with a CV. Please ensure the following is included:

• Personal details including email and telephone contact details 

• Key achievements and qualities supporting your application 

• Education details to date — course, year, and grade

• Experience to date, including how this demonstrates your eligibility for the position 

• Details of 2 referees 

CVs should be no more than 2 pages. Applications missing any of the above will not be considered.

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Applications close on 27th of September. 

 

Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSSHjpteZFoRC7o66h3nIx5hBc8Km3r3WbhSyRn9HWRWv9qg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103661672556902277688