Job summary
We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and compassionate clinical or forensic psychologist to work within our low secure ward and our community forensic team. The post is part of an established and highly visible psychology service and is within a comprehensive MDT.
The post involves working with adults with complex mental health problems who also present (or have historically presented) a risk of harm to others. Twynham ward is a 12 bed, low secure ward with a strong focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. The ward has recently gained its Enabling Environments accreditation. The Community Forensic Team manages people who have been discharged from Twynham ward or other hospitals. At times you will be required to undertake some assessments within other hospitals and prisons.
This is interesting and stimulating work where you will be able to use a range of assessment, formulation, risk assessment, neuropsychology assessments and intervention skills. Ideally you will have had previous forensic experience and you may currently be working within another forensic service or within a prison. We are willing to consider people without forensic experience should you wish to change specialties. There is a high level of professional support available within the team.
We also offer case discussion, reflective practice and teaching. There is a strong commitment to further supervision, training and development and funding for additional training is available.
Main duties of the job
The Forensic Service aims to:
- Offer an excellent service to people with a complex mental health problem and offending behaviours.
- For our service users to make a recovery and to be reintegrated back into the local community
- To work with other parts of the organisation through consultation and teaching.
Main Duties of the job:
The main duties of the job are to undertake assessment and intervention of patients admitted to Twynham ward and within the Community Forensic Team.
To supervise Assistant Psychologists and trainees.
To participate in teaching and training
To contribute to audit and research within the department.
Key skills for this role include:
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with people at different levels and across organisations
Experience of supervision
Experience of leadership
Experience of reflective practice or supporting staff
Understanding of the challenges facing forensic patients
Trauma informed practice
About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Recruitment & Retention payment
There is a Recruitment & Retention payment attached to this post, which amounts to a payment of £8,000 on successful appointment and an additional payment of up to £8,000 relocation expenses should you be required to relocate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Princes Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net
Recruitment & Retention payment
There is a Recruitment & Retention payment attached to this post, which amounts to a payment of £8,000 on successful appointment and an additional payment of up to £8,000 relocation expenses should you be required to relocate.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Doctoral degree in Clinical/ Forensic Psychology supplemented by short courses, clinical supervision and further specialist training with previous experience
- Specialist knowledge in research and clinical/forensic psychometrics
- Specialist knowledge and application of two or more distinct psychological therapies, for example Schema Focussed Therapy.
- To have, or be eligible for, or willing to work toward Chartered Forensic status.
- Experience of working with people with complex, severe or treatment resistant mental disorders
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment (including psychometric assessment), intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
- Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities, forensic, etc.)
- Experience of risk assessment and management.
Desirable
- Experience of working with Mentally Disordered Offenders
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of running groups, preferably with adults, covering a range of problems such as anxiety and anger management, as well as skills teaching.
- Experience of teaching, training and/or clinical supervision.
- Experience of the application of clinical/ forensic psychology in different cultural contexts.
- Experience of receiving clinical supervision regularly and knowledge of how/when to seek appropriate support outside of formally arranged supervision sessions.
Desirable
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of offenders across the full range of care settings, including secure settings, the community, and prison.
IT
Essential
- Experience of working with electronic patient record systems, e.g. RiO
General
Essential
- Ability to work supportively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary culture.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Doctoral degree in Clinical/ Forensic Psychology supplemented by short courses, clinical supervision and further specialist training with previous experience
- Specialist knowledge in research and clinical/forensic psychometrics
- Specialist knowledge and application of two or more distinct psychological therapies, for example Schema Focussed Therapy.
- To have, or be eligible for, or willing to work toward Chartered Forensic status.
- Experience of working with people with complex, severe or treatment resistant mental disorders
- Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment (including psychometric assessment), intervention and management, frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
- Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities, forensic, etc.)
- Experience of risk assessment and management.
Desirable
- Experience of working with Mentally Disordered Offenders
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse.
- Experience of running groups, preferably with adults, covering a range of problems such as anxiety and anger management, as well as skills teaching.
- Experience of teaching, training and/or clinical supervision.
- Experience of the application of clinical/ forensic psychology in different cultural contexts.
- Experience of receiving clinical supervision regularly and knowledge of how/when to seek appropriate support outside of formally arranged supervision sessions.
Desirable
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of offenders across the full range of care settings, including secure settings, the community, and prison.
IT
Essential
- Experience of working with electronic patient record systems, e.g. RiO
General
Essential
- Ability to work supportively and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary culture.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
