Responsibilities:
The ideal candidate will have strong communication and networking skills in order to establish and maintain working relationships with agencies and organisations locally.
Reporting directly to the National Co-ordinator on day to day matters you will also be part of a national network of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers.
Coordinate and develop the service to provide immediate contact and support to those bereaved and affected by a suspected suicide across the assigned geographic area
Provide timely and relevant support, information and advice. Exercise good judgment in assessing each case and establishing the most appropriate steps for on-going support, signposting or onward referral
Develop strong relationships and partnerships with key agencies and first responders in the region, to establish and facilitate helpful responses to individuals, families, or groups who have been bereaved by suicide
Prepare detailed monitoring and progress reports on a quarterly basis to include data pertaining to the delivery of service to those bereaved (liaison links, referrals made, follow up etc)
Continue to develop and maintain interagency protocol that will provide a co-ordinated response to families following a suicide death in line with best practice and/or local HSE CfL response protocols
Support community responses in consultation with the HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention and HSE Mental Health Operations
Work with the HSE on the early identification of potential suicide clusters and liaise with agencies in line with local policy
Create and maintain confidential records of contact with individuals, under data protection, and in line with HSE policy and procedure
Attend individual & group supervision
Keep up to date with professional developments in the field of suicide bereavement and the provision of mental health services and implement changes accordingly

Skills & Experience:
An understanding of the bereavement process and how being bereaved by suicide can affect individuals . Professional development in suicide/ bereavement is desirable
A degree in counselling, psychotherapy or counselling psychology and professional accreditation by IACP, IAHIP, ICP, etc (see above list) . A specific bereavement qualification is also desirable.
A minimum of 3 years’ relevant post- qualification experience of working with people in a therapeutic and multi-disciplinary setting
Own transport and full driving licence
Working knowledge of the mental health field and the key agencies involved
Demonstrated experience of working in challenging environments and to be flexible and adaptive in responding to changing demands, needs and priorities
A clear understanding of professional boundaries and the need to adhere and uphold them
Experience and or understanding of issues around lone working
An understanding of confidentiality and how it relates to this work and its impact on working practice
The willingness to work unsocial hours and a time off in lieu system
Personal attributes such as empathy, compassion, sensitivity, non-judgemental and being able to work with people in distress
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training and experience is desirable

Qualifications:
(i) A recognized degree qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy or a Level 9 in Counselling Psychology.
AND
(ii) Be fully accredited as a Psychotherapist / Counselling Psychologist with one of the following accrediting bodies: Irish Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP), Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP), Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI), National Association of Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy (NAPCP), Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), Irish Council of Psychotherapy (ICP), British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), Irish Association for Play Therapy & Psychotherapy (IAPTP), Association for Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy in Ireland (APPI), Association of Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy in Ireland (APCP).

Note:
Garda Vetting is required (of the successful candidates) for this position.

Applications
for the post should be made via email, attaching a cover letter (outlining your particular suitability for the role) with an updated Curriculum Vitae to recruitment@pieta.ie. The closing date for receipt of applications is 28th of October 2022.