Job summary
Consultant Clinical Psychologist for people with Functional Seizures (Psychogenic / Non-Epileptic Seizures), 27 hours, Permanent, 8C, Part-time / Job-share welcome
This post sits within the Department of Clinical Psychology & Neuropsychology at Nottingham University Hospitals which contributes to the care provided by a wide range of medical and surgical specialties within the Trust.
The Neurology service at NUH is a specialist clinical environment which provides differential diagnosis of seizures and management of epilepsy. This post is a unique and exciting opportunity for a Consultant Clinical Psychologist to help deliver an innovative multidisciplinary service for people with Functional Seizures. The post holder will collaborate with the existing MDT including four consultant neurologists with seizure expertise, specialist nurses and the consultant clinical psychologist / neuropsychologist.
The successful candidate will contribute to delivery of the Psychology component of the service including liaising with referrers to identify appropriate patients, managing referrals, identifying appropriate therapeutic bases, delivering tailored therapy and evaluating outcomes.
Main duties of the job
Functional seizure disorders are varied in terms of presentation, history, comorbidities and contributing mechanisms. In this service the activity is largely outpatient-based. There is an emphasis on bio-psycho-social principles of care/ treatment/ rehabilitation and taking a pragmatic approach to improving functioning where possible. There will be a priority on group-based programmes and there will be limited targeted individual contact. Experience of functional seizures, other functional neurological conditions, and other somatic symptom disorders is essential, as is experience of recognising the multi-factorial nature of health conditions potentially including social, interpersonal, psychological, neuropsychological, developmental, and adverse-event factors.
There is a range of outcomes for people with functional seizures, with a significant minority gaining no or little benefit from treatment. The successful post holder will be supported in balancing the potential individual benefits from the service with managing the caseload to ensure an ongoing provision of service to new patients.
About us
With over 17,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.
The post holder will be based in the Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology Service at NUH, from which clinical and administrative support is available. There are opportunities to discuss cases with the Neurologists including attendance at the weekly Seizure MDT.
In addition to the brief list above you must familiarise yourself with the full job description and person specification attached to this advert prior to applying.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details of the main responsibilities and requirements of the role.
The post has been developed in the context of the neuroscience unit of a large, regional acute hospital. Routine practice involves the development and delivery of innovative and highly specialist programmes of care. At the same time, the successful candidate will have to resourcefully manage more rudimentary challenges that can arise in such environments including negotiating travel arrangements to and from the workplace, securing an appropriate clinical base in which sessions take place, and liaising with disparate services and specialisms, administratively and clinically.
Candidates must be registered with the HCPC as a Clinical Psychologist.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details of the main responsibilities and requirements of the role.
The post has been developed in the context of the neuroscience unit of a large, regional acute hospital. Routine practice involves the development and delivery of innovative and highly specialist programmes of care. At the same time, the successful candidate will have to resourcefully manage more rudimentary challenges that can arise in such environments including negotiating travel arrangements to and from the workplace, securing an appropriate clinical base in which sessions take place, and liaising with disparate services and specialisms, administratively and clinically.
Candidates must be registered with the HCPC as a Clinical Psychologist.
Person Specification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's "We are here for you" behavioural standards
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Psychologist
Desirable
- Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience of delivering clinical psychology services to people with long term conditions and/or disabilities
- Post-qualification experience of working with patients with medically unexplained symptoms / somatic symptom disorders
- Post-qualification experience of working with patients with functional neurological symptoms disorders such as functional seizures
- Post-qualification experience in providing assessment, support, and intervention based on bio-psycho-social principles of care/rehabilitation, and taking a pragmatic approach to improving functioning where 'full recovery' might not be possible.
- Post-qualification experience of delivering group programmes
Desirable
- 1 year post-qualification experience
- Experience of negotiating the demands and challenges of working as a clinical psychologist within a large acute NHS hospital
Communication and Relationship Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of the functioning of NHS neurology services
- Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, highly technical and clinically sensitive information to diverse parties
- Ability to convey complex information succinctly
- Commitment to support the NUH Trust Values
- Experience of preparing correspondence on treatment processes and outcomes
- Knowledge & experience of functional seizures and their distinct challenges for patients, staff, and the healthcare environment
- Knowledge of the availabilities and shortfalls of service to people with FSs
Desirable
- Experience of developing treatment manuals for future clinical use
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to use complex methods of psychological assessment and intervention
- Ability to exercise analytical and judgement skills in a large, systemically complex acute medical environment
Desirable
- Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in neurological environments
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to identify and employ appropriate clinical governance mechanisms for the maintenance of good practice
- Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings
Planning and Organisation Skills
Essential
- Evidence of highly advanced planning and organisational skills
- Ability to plan and organise innovative treatments or programmes of care
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Up to date immunisations are required (including TB, HepB)
Desirable
- Ability to work flexible hours to suit the service and its clientsA I
Person Specification
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's "We are here for you" behavioural standards
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Clinical Psychologist
Desirable
- Post-doctoral training in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice
Experience
Essential
- Post-qualification experience of delivering clinical psychology services to people with long term conditions and/or disabilities
- Post-qualification experience of working with patients with medically unexplained symptoms / somatic symptom disorders
- Post-qualification experience of working with patients with functional neurological symptoms disorders such as functional seizures
- Post-qualification experience in providing assessment, support, and intervention based on bio-psycho-social principles of care/rehabilitation, and taking a pragmatic approach to improving functioning where 'full recovery' might not be possible.
- Post-qualification experience of delivering group programmes
Desirable
- 1 year post-qualification experience
- Experience of negotiating the demands and challenges of working as a clinical psychologist within a large acute NHS hospital
Communication and Relationship Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of the functioning of NHS neurology services
- Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing, highly technical and clinically sensitive information to diverse parties
- Ability to convey complex information succinctly
- Commitment to support the NUH Trust Values
- Experience of preparing correspondence on treatment processes and outcomes
- Knowledge & experience of functional seizures and their distinct challenges for patients, staff, and the healthcare environment
- Knowledge of the availabilities and shortfalls of service to people with FSs
Desirable
- Experience of developing treatment manuals for future clinical use
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to use complex methods of psychological assessment and intervention
- Ability to exercise analytical and judgement skills in a large, systemically complex acute medical environment
Desirable
- Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in neurological environments
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to identify and employ appropriate clinical governance mechanisms for the maintenance of good practice
- Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings
Planning and Organisation Skills
Essential
- Evidence of highly advanced planning and organisational skills
- Ability to plan and organise innovative treatments or programmes of care
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Up to date immunisations are required (including TB, HepB)
Desirable
- Ability to work flexible hours to suit the service and its clientsA I
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).