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:victorialunt@beaumont.ie

Principal Psychologist in Psycho Oncology

Job Description