Principle Clinical Psychologist

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

The closing date is 31 January 2025

Job summary

Within Devon community perinatal services we have been fortunate to double the amount of resources for 8a psychology posts. We hope this demonstrates a deep appreciation and valuing of psychology within perinatal services and reflects our intention to create a stable and well resourced perinatal psychology team.

As a service we have been able to offer a wide range of training, clinical and leadership opportunities that has been fundamental to the strong career trajectory that psychologists have held whilst working in the service.

We are continuing to grow and develop as a psychology team that sits within the wider MDT. For example Exeter perinatal psychology and the Maternal Mental Health Clinic, which is part of the wider community perinatal service, have acquired their own estates for two days a week. These estates act as a hub for psychologists across Devon to meet face to face within working hours. This space has also allowed for us to meet with clients in a way that is therapeutically congruent with how we would want to welcome those we work alongside.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to know more about the opportunities we have available in the service.

A principal purpose of this job is to improve the psychological health and wellbeing of women and birthing people, who present with severe and complex mental health needs during the perinatal period, and their babies and families. Psychology also supports to create a trauma-informed environment.

Main duties of the job

This will be achieved in this post through undertaking the following areas of responsibility:

1. Working with the Professional Lead and Service Manager/s to ensure the systematic provision of a high quality psychological service in the specialist field of practice.

2. Providing clinical leadership and supervision for less experienced staff, trainees and volunteers employed by or attached to the service.

3. Carrying a specialist caseload of clients, and providing advice and consultancy to patients and professionals.

4. Working autonomously within professional guidelines and exercising responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice within professional andTrust guidelines.

5. Contributing to service development and evaluation by undertaking and supporting others to undertake audit and research activities within the service.

6. Observing, and abiding by all relevant Professional Codes of Conduct and Practice including the British Psychological Society. The post holder will be fully registered with the Health Care Professions Council or appropriate designated Professional Body as a condition of employment.

7. The post holder with receive regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance to Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body.

About us

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Date posted

23 December 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year pro rata (30 hours per week)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9369-24-0523-5

Job locations

Perinatal Community Mental Health Team

Torbay Hospital

Torquay

Devon

TQ2 7AA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified Clinical Psychologist and eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society. Registered with HCPC.
Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy

Desirable

Further training or experience in Perinatal Mental Health
Further training in related area
Further training in clinical supervision

Experience

Essential

Experience in undertaking leadership roles within clinical psychology services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multidisciplinary, multi-agency contexts.
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings and across the age range
Experience of providing psychological services in a multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency context
Experience of work in adult mental health services or agencies and work with people with severe and complex mental health difficulties

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Broad knowledge of specialist mental health services for mothers and their infants and of the wider network of mental health services in the NHS.
Knowledge of theory and practice of at least two distinct psychological models/approaches.
Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of Clinical Psychology.
Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, nonverbally and in writing complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to patients, families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside of the NHS

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified Clinical Psychologist and eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society. Registered with HCPC.
Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy

Desirable

Further training or experience in Perinatal Mental Health
Further training in related area
Further training in clinical supervision

Experience

Essential

Experience in undertaking leadership roles within clinical psychology services in the NHS and in contributing to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and clinical policies in multidisciplinary, multi-agency contexts.
Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in patient settings and across the age range
Experience of providing psychological services in a multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency context
Experience of work in adult mental health services or agencies and work with people with severe and complex mental health difficulties

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

Broad knowledge of specialist mental health services for mothers and their infants and of the wider network of mental health services in the NHS.
Knowledge of theory and practice of at least two distinct psychological models/approaches.
Extensive knowledge of the skills, practice and knowledge base of Clinical Psychology.
Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.
Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection
Ability to communicate effectively verbally, nonverbally and in writing complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to patients, families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside of the NHS

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.