Trainee Health Psychologist

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Exciting opportunity to train as a Practitioner Health Psychologist within our Clinical Health Psychology team in collaboration with the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology at Staffordshire University.

The post holder will be expected to enrol on the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology at Staffordshire University attending for 1 day per week (self-funded) and 4 days per week in the Clinical Psychology Department.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a trainee health psychologist to join our dynamic Clinical Health Psychology Department which provides specialist psychological support to service users experiencing distress as a consequence of their physical health conditions. The health psychology work is rich and varied providing a breadth of experience and enabling development of highly specialist areas of work to suit your individual aspirations as a Practitioner Health Psychologist. Our service provides psychological assessment, intervention, consultation, supervision, and training across a diverse range of physical health conditions both inpatients and outpatients.

This post is offered under Annex 21 AfC Terms & Conditions, subject to experience, competency and suitability.

Due to Annex 21 terms and conditions, the salary for year 1 of employment will be £32,087.30 pro rata and the salary for year 2 of employment will be £34379.25 pro rata.

Interviews for this position will be held on Wednesday 31st August 2022.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain a breadth of experience across a range of health conditions to satisfy the competencies of Stage Health Psychology Training, including direct clinical experience. We are a forward-thinking service and want dynamic practitioner to help grow, develop, and raise the profile of Clinical Health Psychology. We are an outstanding and award-winning Trust, and our aim is for the Clinical Psychology Department to reflect this.

You will be part of a Clinical Psychology Department with access to psychology colleagues to support, reflect with, develop your training portfolio, and receive high quality clinical supervision from. You will also work with the broader MDT within the Trust. You will be supported in providing assessment & interventions in inpatient settings, outpatient clinics in the department and virtually.

Main duties of this post will include assessment, formulation, and treatment, both individually and in groups to service users accessing health services within the Trust. You will work autonomously with MDTs and lead project work to develop the Psychology service accordingly. You may supervise more junior colleagues where required.

About us

St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is the only acute Trust in Cheshire and Merseyside, and one of the few in the entire country, to achieve the title of OUTSTANDING, rated by the Care Quality Commission.

We provide a full range of acute adult services to our local population of circa 360,000 and provide tertiary services across a much wider area in the North West, North Wales and Isle of Man. We are a Major Trauma Unit and the Mersey Regional Burns Unit.

Our '5 Star Patient Care' strategy is at the heart of all that we do; supporting our vision to provide world class services for all our patients by getting it right for every patient, every time.

Our latest achievements include:

Acute Trust of the Year - HSJ Awards November 2019
Trust rates Outstanding by the CQC - Inspection August 2018
Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers and Health Service Journal)
Best acute Trust in the North West for quality of care (NHS Staff Survey 2021)
Best place to work in the North West (NHS Staff Survey 2021

In the NHS Staff Survey 2021 the Trust scored the highest marks in the North West for the following areas;

Standard of care
Best place to work
Care of patients being the Trust's priority
Staff engagement
Staff morale
Compassionate and inclusive
Providing a safe environment for staff

Date posted

26 July 2022

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£40,057 to £45,839 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

24 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

409-4400072

Job locations

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To receive regular clinical supervision from a qualified Clinical / Health Psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of adults with acute and /or long-term health conditions under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist. This will be based upon the appropriate use, interpretation, and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including self-report measures, rating scales direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the patients care.
To undertake screening of service users referred for outpatient psychology and when necessary, conduct risk assessments and develop risk management plans under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
To undertake clinical work on inpatient wards or within Clinical Psychology Outpatient Clinics using face-to-face, telephone and / or video consultations as required.
To formulate and implement psychological care plans to promote adjustment to long-term health conditions and / or change behaviour relevant to health, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist, in outpatient and / or inpatient settings as required.
To assist with development and implementation of outpatient therapeutic groups aimed at promoting adjustment to long-term health conditions and/or change behaviour relevant to health based on appropriate psychological frameworks.
To work with other staff to assess service users adjustment and /or behaviour relevant to their health in preparation for multi-disciplinary team meetings, promoting a psychological approach to care at all times. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings as required.
To assist with the development of a psychologically based framework for understanding patient adjustment and/or behaviour relevant to health to guide staff, across all Trust inpatient settings where care takes place promoting a psychological approach to care.
To communicate orally and in writing, in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of service-users under their care and to monitor and evaluate progress.
To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholders professional and team/operational manager(s).
To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and issues in relation to both the specific patient group and psychological health

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, Health Professions Council and Trust policies and procedures.
To manage your diary against your agreed job plan, clearly and effectively so that it is accessible to administrators and colleagues within the service.
IT responsibilities (other than those used for research).
To be able to send and receive e-mails, including attachments.
To be able to use a word processing package competently.
To be able to use research databases and advanced tools for analysis at both quantitative and qualitative levels. To have a good working knowledge of data base packages, i.e., Excel, SPSS.
To prepare test materials, resources and visual aids as required.
To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

To engage with studies and complete competences as part of the Stage 2 Health Psychology training at Staffordshire University.
To independently gain wider experience of clinical health psychology service offers and procedures within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
To contribute to the training and support of other allied health professionals to always promote a psychological approach to care and enhance staff resilience

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To use theory and undertake searches of relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work, and work with health care professionals.To support the research initiatives of the Clinical Psychology Service which help develop and improve services to STHK patients and their families.
To contribute to Clinical Psychology Service projects, including assisting in the design and implementation of service development projects, complex audit and service evaluation as required.
To support the development and evaluation of new digital and database systems to effectively report on psychological provision using a variety of parameters.
To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using appropriate IT and statistical programmes.
To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To receive regular clinical supervision from a qualified Clinical / Health Psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines.
To undertake protocol based psychological assessments of adults with acute and /or long-term health conditions under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist. This will be based upon the appropriate use, interpretation, and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including self-report measures, rating scales direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with patients, family members and others involved in the patients care.
To undertake screening of service users referred for outpatient psychology and when necessary, conduct risk assessments and develop risk management plans under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist.
To undertake clinical work on inpatient wards or within Clinical Psychology Outpatient Clinics using face-to-face, telephone and / or video consultations as required.
To formulate and implement psychological care plans to promote adjustment to long-term health conditions and / or change behaviour relevant to health, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner psychologist, in outpatient and / or inpatient settings as required.
To assist with development and implementation of outpatient therapeutic groups aimed at promoting adjustment to long-term health conditions and/or change behaviour relevant to health based on appropriate psychological frameworks.
To work with other staff to assess service users adjustment and /or behaviour relevant to their health in preparation for multi-disciplinary team meetings, promoting a psychological approach to care at all times. To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings as required.
To assist with the development of a psychologically based framework for understanding patient adjustment and/or behaviour relevant to health to guide staff, across all Trust inpatient settings where care takes place promoting a psychological approach to care.
To communicate orally and in writing, in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of service-users under their care and to monitor and evaluate progress.
To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholders professional and team/operational manager(s).
To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and issues in relation to both the specific patient group and psychological health

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, Health Professions Council and Trust policies and procedures.
To manage your diary against your agreed job plan, clearly and effectively so that it is accessible to administrators and colleagues within the service.
IT responsibilities (other than those used for research).
To be able to send and receive e-mails, including attachments.
To be able to use a word processing package competently.
To be able to use research databases and advanced tools for analysis at both quantitative and qualitative levels. To have a good working knowledge of data base packages, i.e., Excel, SPSS.
To prepare test materials, resources and visual aids as required.
To undertake specific administrative duties as required.
To perform other duties of a similar kind appropriate to the grade, which may be required from time to time by their Psychology Manager.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

To engage with studies and complete competences as part of the Stage 2 Health Psychology training at Staffordshire University.
To independently gain wider experience of clinical health psychology service offers and procedures within the NHS over and above that provided within the principal service area where the post holder is employed.
To develop skills and competencies that assist in the delivery of current duties.
To contribute to the training and support of other allied health professionals to always promote a psychological approach to care and enhance staff resilience

RESEARCH & AUDIT

To use theory and undertake searches of relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work, and work with health care professionals.To support the research initiatives of the Clinical Psychology Service which help develop and improve services to STHK patients and their families.
To contribute to Clinical Psychology Service projects, including assisting in the design and implementation of service development projects, complex audit and service evaluation as required.
To support the development and evaluation of new digital and database systems to effectively report on psychological provision using a variety of parameters.
To undertake data collection, analysis, the production of reports and summaries, using appropriate IT and statistical programmes.
To attend meetings in which service developments are planned and discussed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

MSc Health Psychology at stage 1 at Merit level or above
British Psychology Society (BPS) Graduate Basis for Chartership

Desirable

Post-Graduate Qualification in Counselling and/ or Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Relevant experience of working in a clinical / clinically related role
Relevant paid or voluntary work with service users (1:1 or Group) in a health care context
The ability to access and use relevant scientific databases and literature
Masters level research experience applying quantitative and / or qualitative methods and analysing data accordingly

Desirable

Experience of working with service users in an NHS primary or secondary care setting
Experience of working alongside practitioner psychologists and /or other psychological professions

Skills

Essential

Good knowledge of Health Psychology theory and theoretical approaches as applied to patients presenting with medical and psychological difficulties
Understanding of the application of health psychology theory to Service Users' health-related experience and /or healthcare settings
Ability to independently plan and manage workload as will be required Stage 2 training
IT literacy and keyboard skills (e.g., web search and office packages)
Awareness of professional / ethical issues in providing psychological care in an NHS setting
Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management processes
Good communication and interpersonal skills; ability to form a rapport using all modes of communication
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people; being sensitive and responsive to varying contexts
Awareness of need to recognise limits of competency and of the need to seek advice at an early stage, in relation to both workplace and Stage 2 supervision

Desirable

Knowledge and awareness of health care services and practice in the UK NHS context
Ability to systematically review, critique and synthesise large amounts of information
Knowledge of national and local legislation and key evidence-base documents for managing Long Term Conditions
Experience of communicating with service-users in sensitive situations

Other

Essential

Understanding of requirements for Stage 2 Health Psychology competences
Commitment to physically be present at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust sites during clinical days

Desirable

Commitment to travel requirements

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

MSc Health Psychology at stage 1 at Merit level or above
British Psychology Society (BPS) Graduate Basis for Chartership

Desirable

Post-Graduate Qualification in Counselling and/ or Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

Relevant experience of working in a clinical / clinically related role
Relevant paid or voluntary work with service users (1:1 or Group) in a health care context
The ability to access and use relevant scientific databases and literature
Masters level research experience applying quantitative and / or qualitative methods and analysing data accordingly

Desirable

Experience of working with service users in an NHS primary or secondary care setting
Experience of working alongside practitioner psychologists and /or other psychological professions

Skills

Essential

Good knowledge of Health Psychology theory and theoretical approaches as applied to patients presenting with medical and psychological difficulties
Understanding of the application of health psychology theory to Service Users' health-related experience and /or healthcare settings
Ability to independently plan and manage workload as will be required Stage 2 training
IT literacy and keyboard skills (e.g., web search and office packages)
Awareness of professional / ethical issues in providing psychological care in an NHS setting
Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management processes
Good communication and interpersonal skills; ability to form a rapport using all modes of communication
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people; being sensitive and responsive to varying contexts
Awareness of need to recognise limits of competency and of the need to seek advice at an early stage, in relation to both workplace and Stage 2 supervision

Desirable

Knowledge and awareness of health care services and practice in the UK NHS context
Ability to systematically review, critique and synthesise large amounts of information
Knowledge of national and local legislation and key evidence-base documents for managing Long Term Conditions
Experience of communicating with service-users in sensitive situations

Other

Essential

Understanding of requirements for Stage 2 Health Psychology competences
Commitment to physically be present at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust sites during clinical days

Desirable

Commitment to travel requirements

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).