Highly Specialist Clinical / Counselling Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client CareTo provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations andinterventions for clients in the service, including developing and deliveringpsychological interventions tailored to the needs of people living with complex medical and psychosocial problemsTo 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.To work with colleagues to co-ordinate the delivery of liaison services.

KR 2 Responsibilities for team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of liaison services and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.To contribute to the 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.To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.To participate in the ongoing implementation of new initiatives (e.g. national guidelines) across the service.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 resourcesTo 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 supervisionTo be responsible for the allocation and 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 colleagues, as appropriate.To contribute to the recruitment of more junior colleagues, as appropriate.

KR 6 Teaching and TrainingTo undertake 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 service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and the service 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 GovernanceTo 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 developmentTo 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 work and ongoing development of the service.To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement andassessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professionaldevelopmentTo receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more seniorpsychologist 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 GeneralTo travel to sites across the Trust and the area it serves as 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.It is envisaged that psychology time within the service would focus on the most high risk and complex patients who present to both the ED and inpatient wards.Focus would also be on case formulation and care planning for frequent attenders in order to meet CQUIN targets for this cohort of patients. It is not expected that the psychologist would undertake front line assessments but would support the team in terms of reflective practice and evidenced-based care.

Person Specification

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Experience working within Liaison Psychiatry Service / Crisis Assessment Service with managerial responsibilities, with a proven ability to take authority with sound decision making in a fast-paced clinical environment; experience of building effective working relationships with multi-disciplinary team members.
• Experience of complex risk assessment, managing risk and safeguarding issues, supporting other clinicians with this.
• Experience in responding to complaints from service users and/or referrers in accordance with Trust guidelines.
• Entry--level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or in exceptional circumstances a combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration.
• Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC.

Desirable

• Working within secondary care, and/or multi-disciplinary mental health teams
• Training and/or experience in structured investigation of SUIs.
• Experience and confidence in data management and communicating relevant information within the wider service and other relevant parties.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Skills and ability to act as an advocate for the service, to engage and foster good professional relationships with all health professionals and with voluntary and statutory agencies.
• bility to support the senior management team and to be confident in taking authority and using leadership skills as appropriate.
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation whilst having the ability to be self reflective in both clinical and supervision work, and in regard to own professional development.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other services to formulate anticipatory management plans for patients
• Experience of working with patients in the acute Trust setting
• Competence in more than one therapeutic model
• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information

Desirable

• Ability to manage capacity and scheduling of resources to meet demands of the sevrice
• Experience of presenting and teaching

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Ladywell Unit Lewisham Hospital

Lewisham High Street

Lewisham

SE13 6LH

Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)