Principal Psychologist in Psycho Oncology

Overview

Post Title:

Principal Specialist Psychologist - Psycho-Oncology

Post Status:

Permanent Contract

Department

Department of Psychology

Location:

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9

Reports to:

Head of Psychology/Principal Clinical Psychology Manager.

Salary:

Appointment will be made on salary scale (€116,111 - €134,604 LSI) at a point in line with Government pay policy.

Hours of work:

35 hours

Closing Date:

12 noon on 8/4/2026

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

Overview

The Principal Psychologist in Psycho-Oncology is a senior clinical and leadership role responsible for the development, delivery, and governance of a specialist psycho-oncology psychology service within an acute hospital setting. The post-holder provides expert psychological care to patients with cancer across the disease trajectory, including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, recurrence, palliative and end-of-life care.

Responsibilities

Clinical

• Deliver a specialist psycho-oncology service including comprehensive psychological assessment, formulation, and evidence-based interventions for patients with cancer and related conditions.
• Provide interventions for a wide range of psychological difficulties
• Work with patients across the cancer pathway, including those undergoing active treatment, survivorship, recurrence, and palliative care
• Provide psychological support to families and carers as appropriate.
• Manage a complex clinical caseload and referral pathways, including prioritisation and waiting list management.
• Provide consultation to multidisciplinary team (MDT) colleagues and contribute to integrated patient care planning.
• Produce high-quality clinical reports and communicate effectively with patients, families, and professionals.

Leadership and Service Development

• Lead the development, planning, and evaluation of psycho-oncology psychology services in line with organisational and national cancer strategies.
• Contribute to service planning, policy development, and implementation of clinical pathways within oncology services.
• Promote quality improvement, clinical audit, and evidence-based practice in psycho-oncology.
• Participate in and support organisational change, innovation, and service redesign initiatives.
• Ensure effective risk management, governance, and adherence to clinical standards.

Management and Supervision

• Provide clinical supervision and line management to psychology staff (assistant, basic, and senior grades).
• Contribute to recruitment, selection, and induction of staff.
• Support workforce planning, training needs analysis, and continuing professional development (CPD).
• Deputise for the Head of Psychology or senior manager as required.

Education and Training

• Contribute to education and training of MDT staff in psycho-oncology
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate psychology training, including supervision of trainees.
• Maintain links with academic institutions and contribute to professional development initiatives.

Research and Audit

• Engage in and lead research relevant to psycho-oncology and cancer care.
• Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and dissemination of findings (e.g. publications, presentations).
• Support integration of research evidence into clinical practice.

Governance, Quality and Professional Practice

• Ensure compliance with professional, ethical, and legal standards, including data protection and confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service data collection and reporting.
• Participate in departmental and hospital governance structures, meetings, and committees.
• Uphold health, safety, infection control, and risk management procedures.

Qualifications

Mandatory

• Honours degree in Psychology and recognised postgraduate qualification in Clinical or Counselling Psychology.
• Minimum of 8 years post-qualification experience, including at least 3 years at senior level.
• Demonstrated expertise in psychological assessment and intervention in oncology or related medical settings.
• Experience working with complex psychological presentations in physical health populations.
• Experience of supervision, leadership, and service development.
• Strong multidisciplinary working and communication skills.

Desirable

• Specialist training or experience in Psycho-Oncology.
• Experience working within oncology, haematology, or palliative care services.
• Experience in research, audit, and publication in psycho-oncology.
• Experience in service planning, quality improvement, and change management.
• Leadership and management training/experience.

Informal Enquiries ONLY to:

Name: Victoria Lunt

Email address: