Location: Anywhere nationally, travel required

Hours: Full time / Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Contract: Permanent 

Salary: €60,000

The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service is a collaborative venture between Pieta and the HSE. The primary objective of the service is to provide high quality and proactive support to families and communities in the aftermath of a loss by suspected suicide.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication and networking skills in order to establish and maintain working relationships with agencies and organisations nationally.

Reporting to the Clinical Director, the National SBLO Coordinator will manage and support the national network of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers working in Pieta to provide effective service delivery. 

Responsibilities:

• To implement the goals and objectives of Pieta
• To provide leadership, management, good governance for the delivery of the Pieta strategic objectives across the SBLO service nationally. This role is primarily a leadership role with accountability for consistent and effective implementation of Pieta clinical services within the designated regions
• Manage referrals and coordination of staff to provide immediate contact and support to those bereaved and affected by a suspected suicide across the assigned geographic area
• To support, guide, develop and motivate the SBLO team
• 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 and maintain 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
• Implement and develop on existing interagency protocols 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
• Maintain close working relationships with key support community responses in consultation with the HSE Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention and HSE Mental Health Operations
• Liaise closely with the HSE on the early identification of potential suicide clusters and liaise with agencies in line with local policy
• Keep up to date with professional developments in the field of suicide bereavement and the provision of mental health services and implement changes accordingly
• To identify training and development gaps within the service and present proposals to bridge the gaps vis-a -vis relevant courses or developmental programmes
• Oversee the recruitment and onboarding of new SBLO hires in collaboration with the HR Dept.
• Probation and performance management and individual management support meetings
• Oversee staff training, inductions, rostering and record completion
• To deal promptly with issues as they arise within agreed timeframes and provide feedback where appropriate     
• To ensure that effective clinical governance, quality, client and staff safety procedures are in place, and the ongoing improvement and development of the service in line with best practice
• To provide monthly reports to the Clinical Director as required within agreed formats and timeframes

Skills & Experience:

• An understanding of the bereavement process and how being bereaved by suicide can affect individuals
• A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant clinical area such as counselling, psychotherapy or counselling psychology and professional accreditation in their relevant field by IACP, IAHIP, ICP, PSI etc. A specific bereavement qualification is also desirable
• A minimum of 2 years' management experience of leading staff within 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

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.

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 31st May 2022.

PIETA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER