Job summary
Newly/early qualified
psychologists could be appointed at band 7 under a preceptorship to work towards
requirements for band 8a, subject to satisfactory completion of preceptorship
process.
The national
OPD pathway is a collection of services based primarily in prisons and
probation, where NHS and HMPPS staff work together with the aims of increasing
the wellbeing and reducing the risk of those screened into the pathway, whilst
also improving the knowledge and attitudes of staff working with them. The
pathway is formulation driven rather than relying on medical diagnosis, and
focuses on psychological thinking in all aspects of service delivery.
Roles within
the pathway offer significant opportunities for development, using a wide range
of the skills developed through training as a practitioner psychologist.
This is an intervention service supporting those
screened into the pathway who are stuck in the system or displaying behaviours that mean they
arent able to access other services they would benefit them (e.g. self-harm,
substance use). The service provides individual and group interventions in a
range of modalities with a focus on the relational. This includes the
development of a shared formulation with each person on caseload, as well as
pro-social groups (e.g. gardening), psycho-educational groups
(e.g. healthy self-esteem), skills groups (e.g. DBT skills) and more
therapeutic groups (e.g. MBT). The service also provides psychological
interventions on a 1:1 basis
Main duties of the job
This is a leadership role, providing clinical direction for the team on a daily basis. The post holder will also:
- Provide supervision to other team members, including assistant psychologists, other NHS professionals and prison staff
- Design, implement and evaluate individual and group interventions such as MBT and DBT
- Provide specialist psychological interventions on a 1:1 basis if the post holder is not trained in EMDR then they will likely be supported to train in this
- Deliver education and training to the team and other stakeholders
- Contribute to service development and play a significant role in the leadership structure
- Take part in service development, including reviewing appropriate outcome measures and leading on service evaluation/research
- Conduct and support others in developing risk management plans, treatment plans and formulations
- Provide specialised consultation for colleagues in the HMPPS and NHS and other third sector agencies
We will support you to learn the skills you need to thrive in the role. We will offer you the training and development support you need to continue a fulfilling career. In return, you will need to be motivated, flexible and eager to learn.
The team would be very happy to support a visit to the service for anyone interested in applying; please get in touch if you would be interested in this.
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health & learning disability 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.
Our values
We not only recruit employees based on their qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin the core values of our organisation. These values 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 & learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification which are attached in the supporting Documents section of this advert
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification which are attached in the supporting Documents section of this advert
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Essential:
- Qualified Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist (e.g. D.Clin.Psychol. or equivalent), with eligibility for Chartered Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
- HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Further training in two or more psychological therapies, e.g. CBT, EMDR, CAT, Schema.
Desirable
- Further training in Forensic psychology and a specialist area relevant to forensic work, for example, art therapy, substance misuse.
- Supervision Training.
- Management / Leadership training.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in Forensic Services in a range of service settings or agencies
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision of psychologists.
- 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 multi-disciplinary, multi-agency contexts.
- Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality
- Experience of providing a range of assessments, formulation and therapies to address forensic as well as mental health difficulties.
- Experience of providing supervision for qualified psychologists, trainees and assistant psychologists in psychological therapies to address forensic and mental health difficulties.
- Experience of leadership and proven outcomes in service development.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Broad knowledge of Forensic services; and of the services in the NHS where clinical psychology is commonly applied.
- Extensive knowledge of the knowledge base, skills and practice of Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychology
- Knowledge of the policy context of services to DPT and of leadership in this setting.
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills
- Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
- Skills in managing conflict, negotiation & achieving consensus in complex situations in the pursuit of agreed strategic aims
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long term perspective.
Planning and Organising Skills:
Essential
- Organisation and time management skills.
- Ability to prioritise and work responsively and flexibly to manage individual, supervisee and organisational goals.
- Project management
Other Skills
Essential
- Highly skilled in specialist interventions with the client group.
- Advanced psychological assessment, formulation and therapy skills including risk assessment.
- Ability and motivation to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a forensic mental health service.
- Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability and experience of reflecting on practice and to understand, to respond and to be receptive to the process of professional development.
- Understanding that clinical supervisors and line management may change and that this role is not restricted to one area of the Directorate.
- A willingness to receive training in patient restraint if required, and to support the clinical team in a manner appropriate to the role of assistant psychologist.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Essential:
- Qualified Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist (e.g. D.Clin.Psychol. or equivalent), with eligibility for Chartered Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
- HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Further training in two or more psychological therapies, e.g. CBT, EMDR, CAT, Schema.
Desirable
- Further training in Forensic psychology and a specialist area relevant to forensic work, for example, art therapy, substance misuse.
- Supervision Training.
- Management / Leadership training.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of work in Forensic Services in a range of service settings or agencies
- Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision of psychologists.
- 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 multi-disciplinary, multi-agency contexts.
- Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality
- Experience of providing a range of assessments, formulation and therapies to address forensic as well as mental health difficulties.
- Experience of providing supervision for qualified psychologists, trainees and assistant psychologists in psychological therapies to address forensic and mental health difficulties.
- Experience of leadership and proven outcomes in service development.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Broad knowledge of Forensic services; and of the services in the NHS where clinical psychology is commonly applied.
- Extensive knowledge of the knowledge base, skills and practice of Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychology
- Knowledge of the policy context of services to DPT and of leadership in this setting.
Communication Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills
- Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty.
- Skills in managing conflict, negotiation & achieving consensus in complex situations in the pursuit of agreed strategic aims
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long term perspective.
Planning and Organising Skills:
Essential
- Organisation and time management skills.
- Ability to prioritise and work responsively and flexibly to manage individual, supervisee and organisational goals.
- Project management
Other Skills
Essential
- Highly skilled in specialist interventions with the client group.
- Advanced psychological assessment, formulation and therapy skills including risk assessment.
- Ability and motivation to work independently within defined occupational procedures and use initiative within a forensic mental health service.
- Ability to work as a member of a clinical team and to work collaboratively, flexibly and supportively.
- Ability to tolerate ambiguity, and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
- Ability and experience of reflecting on practice and to understand, to respond and to be receptive to the process of professional development.
- Understanding that clinical supervisors and line management may change and that this role is not restricted to one area of the Directorate.
- A willingness to receive training in patient restraint if required, and to support the clinical team in a manner appropriate to the role of assistant psychologist.
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
