Job summary
We are looking to recruit a highly skilled and motivated Principal Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Arts Psychotherapist/Family Therapist (Band 8a, 1.0 WTE, permanent contract) to join the Maudsley adult inpatient service, working in our newly commissioned female unit, Luca ward. Clients present with complex and enduring serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, other psychotic problems and personality disorder. In addition, clients present with emotionally difficult situations (e.g. abuse, trauma, threats to others, self-harm, suicide attempts).
Main duties of the job
You will provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients admitted to the inpatient ward. An essential part of your role will be to support ward staff and advise the team as to how to provide specialist psychological care and assist in the development of robust behavioural and risk management plans. As a Principal Therapist you will act as a Team Leader and will supervise Junior Psychological Therapists including trainees and Clinical Associate Psychologists.You will have experience of both individual and group work and be able to provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions for patients, carers and families. You will be expected to develop and carry out Quality Improvement projects, research and audits as required and lead service development within the acute and crisis pathway.This is a varied role with excellent opportunities to develop desirable and transferable skills working with adults experiencing an acute phase of their mental illness. You will receive regular clinical supervision and be supported by the broader inpatient team.
For further details / informal visits contact:
Dr Hanne Jakobsen, Southwark Acute and Crisis Psychology Lead
hanne.jakobsen@slam.nhs.ukor 07914064699
About us
We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer
For a full list of our benefits please visit: https://www.slam.nhs.uk/media/421262/Working%20at%20SLaM.pdf
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To develop, co-ordinate and ensure the systematic provision of a highly specialist psychological service to Southwark acute pathway.
- To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the (service) according to discipline including assessing/working with psychosis, learning disabilities, personality disorders, offending behaviour, etc., at levels expected of a psychological practitioner who has achieved the equivalent of a PG Diploma-worth of post-qualification specialist development
KR 2 Responsibilities for team or service clinical functioning
- To co-ordinate (and chair) meetings for the ward to ensure effective functioning and review P&Pinput, when appropriate
- To take a lead in ensuring a psychologically and psychotherapeutically informed framework forthe acute ward.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work.
- To identify any aspects of the acute ward which could be improved and propose changes to practices or procedures that affect the ward and may also affect other services
Please see more details on Job description
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To develop, co-ordinate and ensure the systematic provision of a highly specialist psychological service to Southwark acute pathway.
- To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the (service) according to discipline including assessing/working with psychosis, learning disabilities, personality disorders, offending behaviour, etc., at levels expected of a psychological practitioner who has achieved the equivalent of a PG Diploma-worth of post-qualification specialist development
KR 2 Responsibilities for team or service clinical functioning
- To co-ordinate (and chair) meetings for the ward to ensure effective functioning and review P&Pinput, when appropriate
- To take a lead in ensuring a psychologically and psychotherapeutically informed framework forthe acute ward.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work.
- To identify any aspects of the acute ward which could be improved and propose changes to practices or procedures that affect the ward and may also affect other services
Please see more details on Job description
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- oTo have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS. oEntry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For Psychologists: . Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. (A/I): Clinical psychologist: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent; Counselling psychologist: MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology; Forensic psychologist: MSc in Forensic Psychology plus completion of the British Psychological Society's Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (A/I) PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP (A/I) For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP (specify which, according to nature of post) for purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For Arts Therapists: Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Arts Therapy or Dance Movement Therapy. (or specify Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement Therapy) oAdditional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a registered body and/or an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher. (A/I/R) oCompleted training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervised qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline. (A/I/R) oRegistered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK. (A/I)
- oEvidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body. (A/I)
Experience
Essential
- oEvidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in complex mental health settings. (A/I)
- oExperience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in acute and crisis care. (A/I)
- oExperience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training. (A/I)
- oPost-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. (A/I)
- oExperience of proposing and implementing service development projects within own service area. (A/I)
Desirable
- oRecord of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books) (A/I/R)
Knowledge
Essential
- oTheoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment
- oAssociated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
- oTo deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)
- oTo select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources. (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care. (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for acute and crisis services (A/I/R)
Skills
Essential
- oTo 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. (A/I/R)
- administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials). (A/I/R)
- oConsultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation. (A/I/R)
- oAdvanced skills in professional supervision; including skills for offering live supervision of multi-disciplinary colleagues. (A/I/R)
- oSkills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups (A/I/R).
Abilities
Essential
- oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these. (A/I)
- oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. (A/I)
- oAbility to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self (if applicable- Ability to manage physical aggression directed at self, including use of physical interventions as prescribed by Trust policies.). (A/I)
- oAbility to manage highly complex situations involving multiple difficulties, and competing/conflicting views about those difficulties; and to help create contexts that develop systemic engagement, and harness the strengths and abilities of those involved in order to work towards solutions (A/I/R)
Person Specification
Qualification
Essential
- oTo have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS. oEntry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For Psychologists: . Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration. (A/I): Clinical psychologist: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent; Counselling psychologist: MSc and PG Diploma in Counselling Psychology; Forensic psychologist: MSc in Forensic Psychology plus completion of the British Psychological Society's Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field (A/I) PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP (A/I) For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP (specify which, according to nature of post) for purposes of professional registration. (A/I) For Arts Therapists: Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Arts Therapy or Dance Movement Therapy. (or specify Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement Therapy) oAdditional training beyond entry-level qualification in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), OR a combination of specialist short courses and/an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by a registered body and/or an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma or higher. (A/I/R) oCompleted training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervised qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline. (A/I/R) oRegistered with professional body as appropriate to discipline HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMP-UK. (A/I)
- oEvidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body. (A/I)
Experience
Essential
- oEvidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in complex mental health settings. (A/I)
- oExperience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in acute and crisis care. (A/I)
- oExperience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training. (A/I)
- oPost-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. (A/I)
- oExperience of proposing and implementing service development projects within own service area. (A/I)
Desirable
- oRecord of publications in either peer reviewed, academic or professional journals/books) (A/I/R)
Knowledge
Essential
- oTheoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment
- oAssociated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
- oTo deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)
- oTo select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources. (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors affecting access to mental health care. (A/I/R)
- oKnowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions for acute and crisis services (A/I/R)
Skills
Essential
- oTo 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. (A/I/R)
- administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials). (A/I/R)
- oConsultation skills to work with the multi-professional team or other professional groups and sensitively managing, a number of people's needs simultaneously within the context of therapeutic work/consultation. (A/I/R)
- oAdvanced skills in professional supervision; including skills for offering live supervision of multi-disciplinary colleagues. (A/I/R)
- oSkills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups (A/I/R).
Abilities
Essential
- oAbility to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these. (A/I)
- oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour. (A/I)
- oAbility to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self (if applicable- Ability to manage physical aggression directed at self, including use of physical interventions as prescribed by Trust policies.). (A/I)
- oAbility to manage highly complex situations involving multiple difficulties, and competing/conflicting views about those difficulties; and to help create contexts that develop systemic engagement, and harness the strengths and abilities of those involved in order to work towards solutions (A/I/R)
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).
