Rehabilitation Psychology jobs in Ireland

axer

Hi all,

My German girlfriend is a qualified Rehabilitation Psychologist who earned her qualification in Germany (4 year degree course in a University of Applied Science).

From what I have found there is no such grade in the HSE nor is there any such course offered in Ireland.

Would it be something that employers would want in Ireland? as in has anyone heard of such a position or know is it something they would hire?

Thanks for any help/advice.

JuliusCaesar

Why doesn't she phone/arrange to meet a psychologist working in Rehabilitation such as Roslyn Park in Sandymount? Also, what kind of Rehabilitation is she qualified to work in? Drugs/alcohol/psychiatirc/physical injury/illness?Try phoniing around a few relevant places and asking for advice from the psychologists working there.

You're always better off talking to the people working in the field! They're the ones with the knowledge! The HSE has a OneStopShop in Dr Steevens where you can get information on the kinds of services she's interested in. Also try the private sector.

axer

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

Why doesn't she phone/arrange to meet a psychologist working in Rehabilitation such as Roslyn Park in Sandymount?

Sounds like a good idea.

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

Also, what kind of Rehabilitation is she qualified to work in? Drugs/alcohol/psychiatirc/physical injury/illness?Try phoniing around a few relevant places and asking for advice from the psychologists working there.

She would be qualified in dealing with any type of rehabilitation. She is not a qualified counsellor. She has experience in rehabilitation hospitals here that deal with people recovering from any sort of injury or illness and for children with chronic illnesses such as cancer or rheumatism.

Maybe she should contact the likes of crumlin hospital then too.

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

You're always better off talking to the people working in the field! They're the ones with the knowledge! The HSE has a OneStopShop in Dr Steevens where you can get information on the kinds of services she's interested in. Also try the private sector.

For the private sector I presume she will have to just contact the hospitals and see what they say?

Also we have just come across some validation process by some organisation called the Psychology Society of Ireland. Their guidelines on paper seem very strict and say that a postgrad is needed to get a foreign qualification validated in Ireland.

From what I know in Ireland those with a psychology degree are not specialised until they do a postgrad but my girlfriend is already specialised so is that sufficient does anyone know?

The Black Oil

Can't say I've heard of that particular type of psychologist but then I read an article yesterday that mentioned a traffic psychologist...anyway.

I'd go with what Julius has said but I'd said it's worth talking to the PSI too. Check them out at a general level but also see which of their special interest groups is closest to the area your girlfriend specialises in. http://www.psihq.ie/TEMPLATES/REHABSIG.asp

It might be messy for her to get set up and maybe the PSI will be quite strict in her needing a postgrad. However, perhaps her practical experience will help her more than her degree but I'm not really familiar with the inner workings of the PSI.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

kitkat.3b4t

The PSI has a special interest group in Rehabilitation Psychology. Rehab and NLN often advertise posts for rehabilitation psychologists, but they can only employ people in this role who have full PSI or BPS membership.

If your girlfriend's training involved councelling she might be able to register with one of the counselling and psychotherapy bodies in Ireland. However this wouldn't help her get work as a psychologist but she might be able to get work in a counselling capacity.

Organizations like Rehab, Brainwaves, St Michael's House etc have posts such a Rehabilitation Officer, Instructor, Project Worker. This roles usually involve rehabilitation work through facilitating education and personal development opportunities for clients. However these type of jobs are not well paid.

If your girlfriend has the time and energy maybe she could work towards becoming a clinical psychologist by doing further study.