Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate clinical or forensic psychologist to work within our low secure ward and our community forensic team. This is part of an established and highly visible psychology service, which forms part of a comprehensive MDT.
You will work with adults with complex mental health problems who also present 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. You will be required to undertake some assessments within other hospitals and prisons.
You will be able to use a range of assessment, formulation and intervention skills. There is opportunity to use risk assessment tools and neuropsychology assessments. Ideally you will have had previous forensic experience or currently be working within another forensic service or prison. There is a high level of professional support available within the team.
The psychology team is embedded within the service and is well respected. 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
You will undertake assessment and intervention of patients admitted to Twynham ward and within the Community Forensic Team. You will supervise Assistant Psychologists, trainees and participate in teaching and training.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with people at different levels and across organisations
Experience of supervision, leadership and reflective practice or supporting staff
Understanding of the challenges facing forensic patients
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, to reach their potential and to reintegrate back into the local community
- To work with other parts of the organisation through consultation and teaching.
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.
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 versWorking 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
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
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
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist: Clinical or Forensic Qualifications dependent on whether Clinical or Forensic Psychologist: Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), with specialist knowledge and application of two or more distinct psychological therapies
- Qualifications dependent on whether Clinical or Forensic Psychologist: Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), with specialist knowledge and application of two or more distinct psychological therapies.
- To have received further specialist training in risk assessment and management including the use of complex psychometrics
- Specialist knowledge in research and clinical/forensic psychometrics
- 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.)
- Skills and experience of working with individuals with complex offending and personality presentations.
- Skills and 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.
- Skills and experience in running audit and service evaluation including presenting reports.
Job specific experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of individuals who have offended and have significant mental health difficulties such as personality disorder, trauma, psychosis etc. Ideally this experience would be across the full range of care settings, including secure settings and the community.
- Significant 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.
- Skills and experience in being able to formulate complex case presentations and share that formulation with other disciplines to develop overall care management packages.
Desirable
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
Business Travel
Essential
- Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour
Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist: Clinical or Forensic Qualifications dependent on whether Clinical or Forensic Psychologist: Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), with specialist knowledge and application of two or more distinct psychological therapies
- Qualifications dependent on whether Clinical or Forensic Psychologist: Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), with specialist knowledge and application of two or more distinct psychological therapies.
- To have received further specialist training in risk assessment and management including the use of complex psychometrics
- Specialist knowledge in research and clinical/forensic psychometrics
- 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.)
- Skills and experience of working with individuals with complex offending and personality presentations.
- Skills and 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.
- Skills and experience in running audit and service evaluation including presenting reports.
Job specific experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of individuals who have offended and have significant mental health difficulties such as personality disorder, trauma, psychosis etc. Ideally this experience would be across the full range of care settings, including secure settings and the community.
- Significant 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.
- Skills and experience in being able to formulate complex case presentations and share that formulation with other disciplines to develop overall care management packages.
Desirable
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.
Business Travel
Essential
- Subject to the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
