Psychology Assistant Neurology

Overview

Post Title:

Assistant Psychologist  in Motor Neuron Disease

Post Status:

Permanent Contract

Department

Psychology

Location:

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 

Reports to:

Head of Psychology Beaumont.

Salary:

€33,569 - One point pay scale

Hours of work: 

Full time 35 hours/week

Closing Date:

 

12 noon on 24/12/2025

 

Please note the hospital reserves the right to close the competition early should a substantial number of applications be received.

 

 

Role Summary

 

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterised by loss of all voluntary muscle activity, cognitive, and behavioural change and death within 3-5 years of first symptom. The clinical management of MND/ALS is palliative from the time of diagnosis and is focussed on symptom control and adjustment to both cognitive and behavioural change, and progressive loss of neurological function and the certainty of early death.   The purpose of this Assistant Psychologist post is work within the  national clinical MND service which provides advanced, specialised care and ongoing management of patients living with motor neurone disease (MND) who come under the care of the National  MND service, based in Beaumont Hospital.  The successful post holder will provide cognitive and behavioural screening assessments on all appropriate  patients with MND referred to the Specialist Clinic Senior Clinical Psychologist, and where relevant, will undertake more detailed neuropsychological assessments on those exhibiting early cognitive /behavioural change.  The successful candidate will also liaise with regional centres (Cork and Galway) to provide assessments when requested, and will liaise with palliative care services where appropriate.   

 

The Psychology service is a core component of the inter-disciplinary team providing physical, psychological, social, and emotional support to patients and their family/carer through inpatient, outreach, and outpatient department services.  The successful candidate will work closely with the Senior Clinical Psychologist in MND, and where appropriate, will liaise with other members of the MDT to provide additional psychological insights into patients and caregivers .utilising the MND service.  Additionally, the  successful candidate will engage with research staff whee appropriate. Having a valid driver’s license, a car, and the occasional ability to see patients in the community across different geographic areas of the country (if directed by the candidate’s line manager, and if appropriate)  is desirable  for this post.

Responsibilities

 

The Assistant Psychologist

 

Professional / Clinical

 

·        Provide of neuropsychological support to the  National Motor Neurone Disease service and the  Neurosciences Department

·        Undertake cognitive and behavioural screening assessments (ECAS, BBI) on all patients attending the service

·        Undertake detailed neuropsychological assessments of selected patients with evidence of early cognitive change

·        Provide support in capacity assessment where required.

·        The Assistant Psychologist  will practice nursing according to:

·        Professional Clinical Guidelines

·        National and Area Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines

·        Local policies, protocols and guidelines

·        Current legislation 

·        Abide by professional and clinical standards ensuring an evidence based, care planning approach

·        Ensure that the management of their caseload is  in accordance with national service needs

·        Participate in teams as appropriate, communicating and working in co-operation with other team members

·        Facilitate co-ordination, co-operation and liaison across healthcare teams and programmes

·        Collaborate with service users, family, carers and other staff in treatment / care planning and in the provision of support and advice

·        Communicate results of assessments, treatment / care programmes and recommendations to the team and relevant others in accordance with service policy / as required

·        Ensure that service users and others are treated with dignity and respect

·        Ensure the maintenance of neuropsychological assessments in accordance with local service and professional standards

·        Adhere to and contribute to the development and maintenance of assessment protocols and guidelines