Job summary
We are planning
a third cohort of trainees commencing 31.3.2025. One of these posts will be based at the new regional Learning Disability and
Autism in-patient service. The Brook is due to open in Summer 2025, alongside
our sister service within Avon and Wiltshire (with whom we share a single front
door).
Given the type
of psychologically informed interventions and the wider developmental role within
this service, we are (only) inviting applications from psychologists who wish
to train as an Approved Clinician.
This training
contract is for a period of up to two years. This is with a view to developing
consultant level practice and successfully submitting a portfolio for initial
Approved Clinician approval, to the DHSC.
There are
comprehensive governance and CPD frameworks in place, which supports the
training, approval and deployment of Multi-Professional Approved Clinicians.
During the
training period, there will be clinical/line management supervision, 1:1
mentoring; monthly group mentoring, action learning sets and specific
support/advice viz portfolio development.
Post approval
support includes dedicated monthly Approved Clinician clinical supervision, plus two days of dedicated CPD
per year.
The post holder
will be an integral member of the Medical Advisory Committee. Post approval,
they will also be encouraged to apply to join the DHSCs England South MHA
Approvals Panel.
Interviews will be held on 5th December 2024
Main duties of the job
- Assesses and treats own
complex caseload of patients.
- Provides expert
professional advice to patients, carers and colleagues.
- Undertakes research in
a specialist area.
- Provides education and
training to other staff and students.
- Ensures the maintenance
of clinical excellence.
-
Responsible
for clinical governance, policy and service development.
- To develop the eight core
competencies of an Approved Clinician (AC), accessing support from As from a
variety of professional backgrounds, directorates and organisations. This is broadening
of the trainees clinical experience is vital towards submitting a successful portfolio
of evidence, to the regional MHA Approvals Panel. AC status must be achieved within
two years of commencing role.
-
To undertake the role of Trainee Approved Clinician
for an identified client group with formal AC status retained by the Responsible
Clinician.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
and Working Relationship Skills
- Communicates highly complex and highly sensitive
information to patients, during the course of treatment, where there may be
barriers to understanding and a need to achieve positive therapeutic
engagement.
- Shares information relating to assessment and care
plans with clients, carers and families in a responsive, empathic manner;
this implicitly takes into account the possible complexities of the familys
circumstances and the highly sensitive nature of the information.
- Communicates effectively with all professionals
involved in the patients care, in order to maximise the quality of service
delivered to patients, their families and clients, all members of the
multi-disciplinary team (MDT), general practitioners, Social Services,
education providers, voluntary agencies etc.
Analytical and
Judgemental Skills
-
Analyses highly complex client information - derived from a variety of
sources, which may conflict or be incomplete - using assessment tools to
develop treatment plans.
-
Evaluates and makes decisions about treatment options, taking into
account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors
that have shaped the individual, family or group. Makes decisions around positive risk taking
and decisions to discharge.
-
Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of harm, abuse
or neglect which may include poor clinical practice - reporting all such
concerns and taking all reasonable steps to protect the client. Responsible for identifying and reporting
concerns regarding the safeguarding of children, who may be at risk.
-
Undertakes risk assessment and risk management for individual patients
and provides highly specialist advice to other professionals, regarding risk
assessment and risk management and the high physical risks inherent in the
client group.
-
Demonstrates positive approaches towards the management of violence and
aggression, as required
-
Develops highly specialist care plans for the management of patients
mental health conditions, based upon evidence-based practice and
person-centered care pathways.
Negotiates the implementation of such plans with patients and/or their
families/carers.
-
Undertakes highly
skilled formulations and makes decisions about treatment options; implements
treatment plans for individual patients, adjusting and refining care plans
as required.
Planning
and Organisational Skills
-
Provides expert advice, guidance and consultation to other staff,
including contributing directly to patients diagnosis, formulation and
intervention plan.
-
Facilitates decision-making by planning and mapping processes/ interventions
with members of the MDT or the wider nursing service; this is vital towards
determining the most appropriate treatment modality or service for patients.
-
Leads the MDT in the development and implementation of
multi-disciplinary care plans where appropriate. Monitors progress during the course of
multi-disciplinary interventions.
-
Provides expertise and advice to facilitate the effective and
appropriate provision of care by all members of the wider team across the
designated service and locality.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care,
Treatment and Therapy
- Accountable for own professional practice in the delivery of highly
specialist care to patients with severe and enduring mental health conditions
or learning disabilities; this may include psychiatric, physical and social
co-morbidity and involve significantly challenging behaviours (with risk of
physical aggression).
- Plans individual patient
care and where appropriate co-ordinates care within the MDT and external
agencies.
- To undertake the role of
Trainee Approved Clinician for an identified client group incorporating the
eight clinical competencies below, as per Department of Health and Social
Care (DHSC) guidance:
- A comprehensive
understanding of the roles, legal responsibilities and key functions of the
AC and RC.
- An applied knowledge of
the legal and policy framework. This includes mental health and all other
relevant legislation, codes of practice, policy and guidance and relevant
NICE guidance.
Assessment:
- A demonstrated ability to
clinically assess the presence and severity of mental disorder, the statutory
risk criteria and other key roles/functions and decision making performed by RC.
This necessitates that ability to assess all levels of clinical risk to self
and others within an evidence-based framework. It also requires an ability to
undertake mental health assessments incorporating biological, psychological,
cultural and social perspectives.
Treatment:
- An understanding of mental
health related treatments (including physical, psychological and social),
using different evidence-based approaches and their applicability to
individual patients. It also entails appreciating how a range of appropriate
treatments and settings can help deliver the necessary health and social
outcomes within the least restrictive environment.
- Demonstrating a high level
of skill and underpinning knowledge, in order determine a patients capacity
to consent to their treatment.
- Ability to formulate, lead
and review on treatment for which the clinician is appropriately qualified,
within the MDT.
- Ability to communicate the
aims of treatment to patients, carers and the MDT.
Care
planning:
- Demonstrate the ability to
develop and manage care plans, which combining health, social services and
other resources e.g. Section 117 after-care.
Clinical
Leadership and MDT working:
- Ability to lead the MDT
effectively, including an ability to assimilate the (potentially diverse)
views of others, whilst maintaining an independent view.
- Manage and take
responsibility for making decisions in complex cases.
- Understand and recognising
the personal limits of the trainees skills/knowledge/experiential set and to
seek professional advice where necessary.
Equality
and Diversity:
- Contemporary knowledge and
understanding of equality and diversity issues.
- Ability to identify,
challenge and, where possible and appropriate, redress discrimination and inequality.
- Demonstrating an understanding
of how cultural factors and personal values can affect personal judgments and/or
decision making.
Responsibility
for Policy and Service Development Implementation
-
The post holder will play a key role in supporting the clinical
leadership team in the overall operational planning and development of the
specified service area. This may include advising senior colleagues on any aspects of
the service, which may need addressing at a broader strategic level.
-
Take a lead in strategic service development projects, as required.
Examples include: acting as a resource in setting a strategic direction, for
the specified aspect of service; the development, agreement and management of
specific project plans, in line with agreed Trust/locality business
objectives.
-
Play a key role in the professional development of healthcare
professionals through integration into appropriate academic and research
committees locally and nationally.
Identify specialist training needs for professionals.
-
Develop and deliver evidence based training and development programmes,
to nursing and multi-disciplinary colleagues.
-
Responsible for identifying and proposing changes to policies and
procedures, which may impact on multi-disciplinary teams across the locality. This may include the development of policy
and procedures, towards ensuring sound governance commensurate with practice
guidelines and the robust implementation of policies within own area of
responsibility.
-
Lead in the demonstrable measurement of clinical effectiveness of any
change process, in line with the requirements of clinical governance.
-
Provide professional leadership, in relationship to the development of
new and innovative frameworks of practice and their subsequent implementation.
-
To develop strategies to empower service users and carers, towards
facilitating an active role in service planning, delivery and development.
-
Propose policy or service changes that may impact beyond the trainees
specialist area. Subsequently, be responsible for policy implementation and
development within the specialist area, working within the Trust framework
for development and ratification of policy and procedure. Develop protocols and policies for the
specialist areas which may impact on other disciplines and that will have impact
externally to the organization.
-
Be involved in developing protocols and policies that will have impact
externally to the organization e.g. national policy and guidelines.
-
Act as an expert consultant for the Trust in the development of care
pathways and new ways of working, towards enhancing the patient experience.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
and Working Relationship Skills
- Communicates highly complex and highly sensitive
information to patients, during the course of treatment, where there may be
barriers to understanding and a need to achieve positive therapeutic
engagement.
- Shares information relating to assessment and care
plans with clients, carers and families in a responsive, empathic manner;
this implicitly takes into account the possible complexities of the familys
circumstances and the highly sensitive nature of the information.
- Communicates effectively with all professionals
involved in the patients care, in order to maximise the quality of service
delivered to patients, their families and clients, all members of the
multi-disciplinary team (MDT), general practitioners, Social Services,
education providers, voluntary agencies etc.
Analytical and
Judgemental Skills
-
Analyses highly complex client information - derived from a variety of
sources, which may conflict or be incomplete - using assessment tools to
develop treatment plans.
-
Evaluates and makes decisions about treatment options, taking into
account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors
that have shaped the individual, family or group. Makes decisions around positive risk taking
and decisions to discharge.
-
Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of harm, abuse
or neglect which may include poor clinical practice - reporting all such
concerns and taking all reasonable steps to protect the client. Responsible for identifying and reporting
concerns regarding the safeguarding of children, who may be at risk.
-
Undertakes risk assessment and risk management for individual patients
and provides highly specialist advice to other professionals, regarding risk
assessment and risk management and the high physical risks inherent in the
client group.
-
Demonstrates positive approaches towards the management of violence and
aggression, as required
-
Develops highly specialist care plans for the management of patients
mental health conditions, based upon evidence-based practice and
person-centered care pathways.
Negotiates the implementation of such plans with patients and/or their
families/carers.
-
Undertakes highly
skilled formulations and makes decisions about treatment options; implements
treatment plans for individual patients, adjusting and refining care plans
as required.
Planning
and Organisational Skills
-
Provides expert advice, guidance and consultation to other staff,
including contributing directly to patients diagnosis, formulation and
intervention plan.
-
Facilitates decision-making by planning and mapping processes/ interventions
with members of the MDT or the wider nursing service; this is vital towards
determining the most appropriate treatment modality or service for patients.
-
Leads the MDT in the development and implementation of
multi-disciplinary care plans where appropriate. Monitors progress during the course of
multi-disciplinary interventions.
-
Provides expertise and advice to facilitate the effective and
appropriate provision of care by all members of the wider team across the
designated service and locality.
Responsibility for Patient/Client Care,
Treatment and Therapy
- Accountable for own professional practice in the delivery of highly
specialist care to patients with severe and enduring mental health conditions
or learning disabilities; this may include psychiatric, physical and social
co-morbidity and involve significantly challenging behaviours (with risk of
physical aggression).
- Plans individual patient
care and where appropriate co-ordinates care within the MDT and external
agencies.
- To undertake the role of
Trainee Approved Clinician for an identified client group incorporating the
eight clinical competencies below, as per Department of Health and Social
Care (DHSC) guidance:
- A comprehensive
understanding of the roles, legal responsibilities and key functions of the
AC and RC.
- An applied knowledge of
the legal and policy framework. This includes mental health and all other
relevant legislation, codes of practice, policy and guidance and relevant
NICE guidance.
Assessment:
- A demonstrated ability to
clinically assess the presence and severity of mental disorder, the statutory
risk criteria and other key roles/functions and decision making performed by RC.
This necessitates that ability to assess all levels of clinical risk to self
and others within an evidence-based framework. It also requires an ability to
undertake mental health assessments incorporating biological, psychological,
cultural and social perspectives.
Treatment:
- An understanding of mental
health related treatments (including physical, psychological and social),
using different evidence-based approaches and their applicability to
individual patients. It also entails appreciating how a range of appropriate
treatments and settings can help deliver the necessary health and social
outcomes within the least restrictive environment.
- Demonstrating a high level
of skill and underpinning knowledge, in order determine a patients capacity
to consent to their treatment.
- Ability to formulate, lead
and review on treatment for which the clinician is appropriately qualified,
within the MDT.
- Ability to communicate the
aims of treatment to patients, carers and the MDT.
Care
planning:
- Demonstrate the ability to
develop and manage care plans, which combining health, social services and
other resources e.g. Section 117 after-care.
Clinical
Leadership and MDT working:
- Ability to lead the MDT
effectively, including an ability to assimilate the (potentially diverse)
views of others, whilst maintaining an independent view.
- Manage and take
responsibility for making decisions in complex cases.
- Understand and recognising
the personal limits of the trainees skills/knowledge/experiential set and to
seek professional advice where necessary.
Equality
and Diversity:
- Contemporary knowledge and
understanding of equality and diversity issues.
- Ability to identify,
challenge and, where possible and appropriate, redress discrimination and inequality.
- Demonstrating an understanding
of how cultural factors and personal values can affect personal judgments and/or
decision making.
Responsibility
for Policy and Service Development Implementation
-
The post holder will play a key role in supporting the clinical
leadership team in the overall operational planning and development of the
specified service area. This may include advising senior colleagues on any aspects of
the service, which may need addressing at a broader strategic level.
-
Take a lead in strategic service development projects, as required.
Examples include: acting as a resource in setting a strategic direction, for
the specified aspect of service; the development, agreement and management of
specific project plans, in line with agreed Trust/locality business
objectives.
-
Play a key role in the professional development of healthcare
professionals through integration into appropriate academic and research
committees locally and nationally.
Identify specialist training needs for professionals.
-
Develop and deliver evidence based training and development programmes,
to nursing and multi-disciplinary colleagues.
-
Responsible for identifying and proposing changes to policies and
procedures, which may impact on multi-disciplinary teams across the locality. This may include the development of policy
and procedures, towards ensuring sound governance commensurate with practice
guidelines and the robust implementation of policies within own area of
responsibility.
-
Lead in the demonstrable measurement of clinical effectiveness of any
change process, in line with the requirements of clinical governance.
-
Provide professional leadership, in relationship to the development of
new and innovative frameworks of practice and their subsequent implementation.
-
To develop strategies to empower service users and carers, towards
facilitating an active role in service planning, delivery and development.
-
Propose policy or service changes that may impact beyond the trainees
specialist area. Subsequently, be responsible for policy implementation and
development within the specialist area, working within the Trust framework
for development and ratification of policy and procedure. Develop protocols and policies for the
specialist areas which may impact on other disciplines and that will have impact
externally to the organization.
-
Be involved in developing protocols and policies that will have impact
externally to the organization e.g. national policy and guidelines.
-
Act as an expert consultant for the Trust in the development of care
pathways and new ways of working, towards enhancing the patient experience.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Expert clinical knowledge at advanced practice level in the area of care delivery for service users with complex psychiatric, physical and social co-morbidity, severely challenging behaviors
- Substantial evidence- based practice relevant to the role
- Ability to assess all levels of risk within an evidence based framework
- compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act).
- In-depth applied knowledge in undertaking mental health assessments incorporating biological, psychological, cultural and social perspectives
- Clinical governance and its application in practice
- Applied knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to the client group Human Rights Act Mental Capacity Act
- Applied knowledge of relevant guidance e.g. NICE
- Principles of managing change.
- Social Inclusion agenda
Desirable
- Advanced, in-depth knowledge of research, audit and quality improvement methodologies and their application.
- In-depth applied knowledge of the Approved Clinician role, responsible for the care and treatment of mentally disordered patients
- In-depth applied knowledge of the Mental Health Act, including statutory documentation and legal requirements of written RC reports
Qualifications
Essential
- A Practitioner Psychologist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Minimum of 5 years post professional qualifying clinical experience in their current profession at a senior position (Band 6 and above) and seven years post-registration experience within a dedicated mental health service.
- A postgraduate certificate or diploma, within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline (or equivalent, such as the Higher Specialist Award in Social Work).
- A masters degree or doctoral degree qualification, within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline.
- Be prepared to undertake a specific qualification in service areas where the role is required. For this particular post, it is not essential to be an independent prescriber, or to become an independent prescriber prior to achieving AC approval.
- Commitment to undertake AC training including attendance at AC Portfolio Workshops and Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Law: Mental Health (Approved Clinician Preparatory Programme)
- Have at least 1 years current experience in the clinical area where the AC role will be developed
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Recognised teaching qualification
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Expert clinical knowledge at advanced practice level in the area of care delivery for service users with complex psychiatric, physical and social co-morbidity, severely challenging behaviors
- Substantial evidence- based practice relevant to the role
- Ability to assess all levels of risk within an evidence based framework
- compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act).
- In-depth applied knowledge in undertaking mental health assessments incorporating biological, psychological, cultural and social perspectives
- Clinical governance and its application in practice
- Applied knowledge of relevant legislation in relation to the client group Human Rights Act Mental Capacity Act
- Applied knowledge of relevant guidance e.g. NICE
- Principles of managing change.
- Social Inclusion agenda
Desirable
- Advanced, in-depth knowledge of research, audit and quality improvement methodologies and their application.
- In-depth applied knowledge of the Approved Clinician role, responsible for the care and treatment of mentally disordered patients
- In-depth applied knowledge of the Mental Health Act, including statutory documentation and legal requirements of written RC reports
Qualifications
Essential
- A Practitioner Psychologist, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Minimum of 5 years post professional qualifying clinical experience in their current profession at a senior position (Band 6 and above) and seven years post-registration experience within a dedicated mental health service.
- A postgraduate certificate or diploma, within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline (or equivalent, such as the Higher Specialist Award in Social Work).
- A masters degree or doctoral degree qualification, within the candidates professional field or related therapy discipline.
- Be prepared to undertake a specific qualification in service areas where the role is required. For this particular post, it is not essential to be an independent prescriber, or to become an independent prescriber prior to achieving AC approval.
- Commitment to undertake AC training including attendance at AC Portfolio Workshops and Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Law: Mental Health (Approved Clinician Preparatory Programme)
- Have at least 1 years current experience in the clinical area where the AC role will be developed
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Recognised teaching qualification
Additional information
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).
