Location: Highfield Healthcare, Dublin, Ireland

Type of Post:
Permanent / Full-Time
About Highfield Healthcare
Highfield Healthcare is a leading provider of mental health and care services, offering high-quality care across several domains, including general adult psychiatry, care for the elderly, and specialist dementia services. Our acute psychiatric service is expanding with multidisciplinary team being committed to delivering integrated, recovery-oriented care to support individuals on their mental health journey.
Reporting Relationship
The Principal Clinical Psychologist will report directly to the Clinical Director, or any other person as determined by the Chief Executive Officer of Highfield Healthcare. The post-holder will also supervise psychology staff, including Senior Psychologists, Staff Grade Psychologists, Trainee Clinical Psychologists, and Assistant Psychologists.

Purpose of the Post
The Principal Clinical Psychologist will lead the delivery of a high-quality psychology service at Highfield Healthcare. The post-holder will work as part of a Senior Management team to further develop integrated care, promote mental health recovery, and ensure the provision of specialist psychological services across the organisation.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Professional / Clinical

• Lead and develop expert clinical psychology services, including assessment, therapy, consultation, and intervention for service users with complex psychological needs.
• Provide leadership in clinical service planning, development, and evaluation, ensuring high standards of service delivery.
• Manage a clinical caseload within relevant service teams, with a particular focus on individuals with complex psychological needs and specialist areas such as refractory mood disorders, rehabilitation, anxiety and complex trauma.
• Foster effective working relationships across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring integrated care pathways for service users.
• Supervise and mentor psychology staff and trainees to maintain high standards of clinical practice.
• Advocate for the psychological needs of service users within the broader healthcare system and represent the profession within Highfield Healthcare.

Research & Evaluation

• Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based practices and contribute to clinical research within the service.
• Conduct service audits and evaluations to continuously improve service provision and outcomes for service users.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary research initiatives.

Education & Training

• Provide clinical supervision and training to psychology staff, including Trainee Clinical Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists.
• Ensure staff are kept up to date with the latest developments in psychological practice and research and promote continuous professional development.
• Further develop academic and training links with academic centres and encourage psychologically-based research within the organization.
• Deliver training to healthcare staff on psychological interventions and care strategies.

Management

• Oversee the allocation and coordination of psychological services within assigned areas.
• Manage and develop psychology staff, promoting effective teamwork, leadership, and professional growth.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and protocols related to the provision of psychological services.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of psychology staff as required.

Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards in service delivery, including infection control, risk management, and workplace safety.

Eligibility Criteria – Qualifications and Experience
Essential Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Full and unrestricted registration as a Clinical Psychologist with a recognised professional body (e.g. the Psychological Society of Ireland or the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK).
• At least 5 years of post-qualification experience in clinical psychology, with experience in management and governance.

Desirable Experience:

• Broad clinical experience experience in providing psychological services within mental health settings, especially in mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychiatry of later life or rehabilitation psychiatry.
• Experience in managing teams, supervising staff, and delivering training to professionals in healthcare settings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead service development initiatives, implement clinical audits, and contribute to research projects.

Skills, Competencies, and Knowledge

• Demonstrates expert knowledge of psychological theory, models, and interventions relevant to mental health.
• Leadership and management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide a team of professionals.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with a track record of collaborative working across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organisational and planning abilities, with a focus on service delivery and development.
• Commitment to evidence-based practice, research, and ongoing professional development.
• Ability to adapt and innovate in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Please contact Dr Noel Kennedy (Clinical Director) at nkennedy@highfieldhealthcare.ie with any questions.

Highfield Healthcare is an equal opportunities employer.
All posts are subject to satisfactory references, medical and Garda vetting.