Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist - Learning Disabilities

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 20 November 2024

Job summary

EPUT's Learning Disabilities Psychology and Behaviour Therapy service in South Essex is expanding. This is an exciting time for a Principal Clinical or Counselling Psychologist who is passionate about service transformation and leadership to join and develop the service.

This post is available on a part-time basis of 22.5hrs p/week (0.6 wte). The postholder will jointly lead a vibrant team that comprises a full-time Principal Psychologist, two Senior Psychologists, a Behaviour Therapist & 2 Assistant Psychologists. They will work to improve and implement care provision for adults with learning disabilities considering assessment, intervention/therapeutic support. This work will be on an individual basis, involve family/carers, support staff, liaising with others involved in their lives, as appropriate. They will also contribute to the development of a trauma informed and responsive service in line with the Trust's objectives.

The postholder will also be involved in offering training and consultation to the MDT and agencies involved. They will be joining a well-established multi-disciplinary team and will be part of the senior leadership team within the service. The service includes Community Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, & Psychiatrists. There are opportunities for wider collaborative working in the Essex Learning Disability Partnership including the development of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Dementia & Challenging Behaviour Pathways.

Main duties of the job

The Principal Psychologist is responsible for ensuring the systematic provision of a high standard psychology service to adults within the remit of the Learning Disability team's responsibilities. This will include providing assessment and intervention/consultation for individuals, families. carers, members of the multidisciplinary team and other agencies involved in the individuals care.

The post holder will work closely with relevant community and inpatient teams within health and voluntary sectors.

This will require a range of specialist skills and competencies in order to deliver highly specialist psychological assessment and treatment of patients with Learning Disabilities, along the treatment pathway. In addition he/she will offer advice and consultation on clients' psychological care to other professionals, carers, and those otherwise involved in client-care.

The post holder will be responsible for

  • continually delivering and maintaining high standards
  • continuous service improvement
  • leadership and development of others
  • ensuring national targets and standards are achieved
  • continuous personal development
  • building trust and developing relationships to ensure service user involvement
  • data quality assurance
  • ensuring information is managed and applied appropriately and effectively
  • championing improvement through effective change management
  • ensuring equality and diversity values underpin the day to day working of the practice area.

About us

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who share our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

  • CPD Package up to £6,000 - calculated pro rata
  • Season Ticket Loans
  • NHS discounts for staff
  • Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
  • Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
  • The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
  • Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment.

Date posted

02 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,337 to £74,415 a year per annum incl. 5% Fringe High Cost Allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

364-A-6965-H

Job locations

3 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Job description

Job responsibilities

We offer a CPD package of up to £6,000, calculated pro rata, to be used in the first three years of employment following successful completion of the probationary period and linked to the appraisal process as agreed with your line manager.

  • To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological tests, self-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
  • To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • To ensure that all members of the treating team have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding and care of clients of the service through the provisional advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory.
  • To provide expertise, advice and support to facilitate the effective and appropriate provision of psychological care by all members of the treatment team.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of detailed responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We offer a CPD package of up to £6,000, calculated pro rata, to be used in the first three years of employment following successful completion of the probationary period and linked to the appraisal process as agreed with your line manager.

  • To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological tests, self-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
  • To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • To ensure that all members of the treating team have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding and care of clients of the service through the provisional advice and consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory.
  • To provide expertise, advice and support to facilitate the effective and appropriate provision of psychological care by all members of the treatment team.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of detailed responsibilities.

Person Specification

Education/knowledge/qualifications

Essential

  • Doctoral level training in clinical psychology or Counselling Psychology or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
  • HCPC registration and Registered with a professional clinical body (BPS)/
  • Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS

Desirable

  • Post-qualification diploma or CPD courses relating to working with individuals with LD/ID or in Autism Spectrum Disorder/Conditions

Skills/experience

Essential

  • Evidence of competence and experience of working as a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist suitable for senior responsibilities including experience of training and supervising.

Desirable

  • Well developed 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 etc).
  • Training in, and experience of the use of diagnostic assessment tools for Autism Spectrum Disorder in children/young people/adults/adults with LD/ID

Personal

Essential

  • Evidence of leadership and change management skills - ability to understand the wider implications of actions.
  • Ability to travel across sites
  • Evidence of the 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

Education/knowledge/qualifications

Essential

  • Doctoral level training in clinical psychology or Counselling Psychology or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
  • HCPC registration and Registered with a professional clinical body (BPS)/
  • Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS

Desirable

  • Post-qualification diploma or CPD courses relating to working with individuals with LD/ID or in Autism Spectrum Disorder/Conditions

Skills/experience

Essential

  • Evidence of competence and experience of working as a Clinical/Counselling Psychologist suitable for senior responsibilities including experience of training and supervising.

Desirable

  • Well developed 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 etc).
  • Training in, and experience of the use of diagnostic assessment tools for Autism Spectrum Disorder in children/young people/adults/adults with LD/ID

Personal

Essential

  • Evidence of leadership and change management skills - ability to understand the wider implications of actions.
  • Ability to travel across sites
  • Evidence of the 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.

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).

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.

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

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

3 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

3 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

Associate Clinical Director Psychological Services

Dr Kristoff Bonello

kristoff.bonello@nhs.net

01268568073

Date posted

02 October 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,337 to £74,415 a year per annum incl. 5% Fringe High Cost Allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

364-A-6965-H

Job locations

3 Heath Close

Billericay

CM12 9NW


Supporting documents

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