Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 8a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join the LEO team. LEO is a team for people aged 18-65 in Lambeth who have experienced a first episode of psychosis, and as such sits within SLaM's early intervention for psychosis services. The role is full time and permanent, and represents an excellent opportunity for the post-holder to engage in rich and meaningful direct clinical work with clients and their families, as well as further developing existing abilities relating to supervision, leadership and service development.
The primary approach for individual therapy in the team is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), while at the same time the post-holder will be encouraged to draw upon a range of evidenced intervention strategies and models as appropriate. Given the high rates of trauma in psychosis groups, our work is trauma informed throughout. In addition to direct clinical work, the post-holder will contribute to the management and supervision of our well-established pathway for "low intensity" interventions, which provides timely access to therapeutic approaches, as well as having opportunities to lead on other service developments that align with their interests. As a team, we are committed to increasing the accessibility and acceptability of care, and in ensuring that services are delivered equitably.
Main duties of the job
-Delivery of individual and family interventions in the context of first episode psychosis, primarily within the framework of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), while drawing on other models and approaches where appropriate, and ensuring that interventions are delivered in such a manner that is both equitable and trauma informed.
-Supporting MDT staff in psychological formulation and case conceptualisation. Contributing to ensuring that the team's work as a whole is psychologically informed where possible, and that psychological perspectives are visible and influential in day to day work at LEO. This may take various forms, such as individual consultation, sharing perspectives in team meetings, or facilitating staff teaching sessions.
-Management and supervision relating to the team's pathway for "low intensity" psychological interventions.
-Supervision of more junior psychology staff, including clinical psychologists in training.
-Contributing in innovative ways to service development in LEO, to ensure that the team continues be informed by new developments in the field and as such remains a reference point for other services of its kind.
About us
LEO is a nationally and internationally regarded team for first episode psychosis, having been one of the first of its kind in the UK. A large, enthusiastic and caring multidisciplinary team is comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, vocational workers, an advanced practitioner and a team leader, as well as a very well-established psychology team, which includes two family interventions therapists.
We have excellent community links and work in close collaboration with other services in Lambeth, which is a diverse, multicultural borough. The team as a whole is committed to ensuring the best possible care for the clients we serve and their families. In terms of location, the Lambeth OASIS team is based at 190 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5DL. We are a short walk from Vauxhall overground station and Oval or Kennington tube stations, as well as being on several bus routes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the LEO service including working with people experiencing a first episode of psychosis at levels expected of a psychologist who has achieved the equivalent of a PG Diploma-worth of post-qualification specialist development.
- To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
- To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning
- To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.
- To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
- To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
- To advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients.
- To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.
- To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
- To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources
- To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.
- To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.
KR 5 Management and supervision
- To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychologists with support from a more senior psychologist.
- To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism.
- To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
KR 6 Teaching and Training
- To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate.
- To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the LEO service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and early intervention and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance
- To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
KR 8 Research and development
- To initiate, undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits.
- To initiate and carry out appropriate research
- To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to LEO.
- To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.
KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development
- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
- To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development.
- To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
- To comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.
- To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
KR10 General
- To travel to home visits, community placements, psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management.
- To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations.
- To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics or Saturday working, within the overall Job Plan.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the LEO service including working with people experiencing a first episode of psychosis at levels expected of a psychologist who has achieved the equivalent of a PG Diploma-worth of post-qualification specialist development.
- To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
- To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning
- To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.
- To contribute to the team or services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
- To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
- To advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients.
- To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.
- To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
- To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources
- To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.
- To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.
KR 5 Management and supervision
- To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychologists with support from a more senior psychologist.
- To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism.
- To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
KR 6 Teaching and Training
- To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate.
- To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the LEO service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and early intervention and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance
- To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
KR 8 Research and development
- To initiate, undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits.
- To initiate and carry out appropriate research
- To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to LEO.
- To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.
KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development
- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
- To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development.
- To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
- To comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.
- To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
KR10 General
- To travel to home visits, community placements, psychology meetings as appropriate and across the Trust when required.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management.
- To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations.
- To work flexibly which may include offering some regular commitment to late clinics or Saturday working, within the overall Job Plan.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oEntry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent, or combination of MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. (A/I)
- oAdditional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. (A/I/R)
- oRegistered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC. (A/I)
Experience
Essential
- oEvidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in Early Intervention in Psychosis. (A/I)
- oPost-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
Knowledge
Essential
- oKnowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis, and their families (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
Skills and abilities
Essential
- oTo deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
- oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- oEntry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent, or combination of MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. (A/I)
- oAdditional training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses, or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma. (A/I/R)
- oRegistered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC. (A/I)
Experience
Essential
- oEvidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in Early Intervention in Psychosis. (A/I)
- oPost-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
Knowledge
Essential
- oKnowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis, and their families (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
Skills and abilities
Essential
- oTo deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
- oAbility to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
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).
