The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer will provide support and guidance to individuals and families in the immediate aftermath of death by suicide.

The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service is a collaborative venture between Pieta and the HSE. The primary objective of the service is to provide a high quality and proactive support to families and community in the aftermath of a loss by suspected suicide, within a defined framework and protocol to the geographic area.

The role covers the Cork & Kerry areas and requires travel across this region to meet and assist clients in their home. Pieta has a travel expenses policy in place for this role.

Location: Cork & Kerry regions

Position Type: 24 hours per week over 3 days - Permanent Contract

Salary: €23.16 per hour

Qualifications required:

(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)

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

Application Details

Note: Garda Vetting is required (of the successful candidate) 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.

PIETA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER