Job summary
Hounslow Adult Autism Assessment and Diagnostic Service:
Highly Specialist Autism Practitioner:
(from a counselling/clinical psychologist, registered nurse, OT or Speech & Language Therapy background)
I'm really excited to offer this opportunity to a forward thinking, proactive Highly Specialist Autism Practitioner (from any clinical background as indicated above) who is able to bring an energy and drive to the role and wider service.
From our many years of working within a multi-disciplinary setting, we have always valued the rich diverse contributions that different clinicians can bring to meeting the needs of people and autism. In short, regardless of background, we all have something very positive to contribute.
Main duties of the job
- To act as a senior clinician within the Autism Service and to provide specialist assessments, make diagnostic decisions based on assessment information and provide feedback following assessment
- The post holder will be trained in the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-II), make clinical judgements about when to utilize these assessments, and supervise others to use these assessment tools to contribute to diagnostic decision making
- The post holder will be expected to be involved in the supervision of colleagues from other professional backgrounds, assistant psychologists, as well as trainees and student professionals where appropriate
- The post holder will be required to direct referring services, such as GPs, to facilitate service-users' onward referrals for intervention and support post assessment. It is therefore expected of the post holder to develop and promote awareness and understanding of the unique needs of autistic adults and the structures and skills necessary for all mental health and social care support services to make reasonable adjustments as a core philosophy of treatment delivery
- The post holder will be responsible for audit and service evaluation of the diagnostic pathway and processes
About us
We are a very caring service and pride ourselves in being creative and innovative and being driven to offer a service which is genuinely person centered.
Hounslow is a very diverse Borough, so being creative in our approach is second nature. Every approach and intervention offered is designed to meet individual needs of the people we serve.
We work Monday to Friday between the core hours of 9am until 5pm, with some flexibility required on occasion to meet different demands.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide specialist autism assessments and initial post-diagnostic support of service-users referred to the Hounslow Autism Assessment and Diagnostic Service using appropriate, interpretation and integrating complex data from a variety of sources. This will include the use of specialist assessment tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R etc.), clinical observations and interviews where appropriate
- To help plan, support and facilitate time limited post diagnostic work with service users who have undergone autism diagnostic assessment with the service. This would include groups and workshops, and individual work where appropriate
- To participate and support in the receipt, triage and discussion of referrals made to the service
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the formulation and reporting of the assessment findings for the formal diagnosis of ASD. To make appropriate recommendations for pathways for support and management of a service users problems based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of those needs in the context of the family and wider system
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide specialist autism assessments and initial post-diagnostic support of service-users referred to the Hounslow Autism Assessment and Diagnostic Service using appropriate, interpretation and integrating complex data from a variety of sources. This will include the use of specialist assessment tools (e.g., ADOS-2, ADI-R etc.), clinical observations and interviews where appropriate
- To help plan, support and facilitate time limited post diagnostic work with service users who have undergone autism diagnostic assessment with the service. This would include groups and workshops, and individual work where appropriate
- To participate and support in the receipt, triage and discussion of referrals made to the service
- To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the formulation and reporting of the assessment findings for the formal diagnosis of ASD. To make appropriate recommendations for pathways for support and management of a service users problems based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of those needs in the context of the family and wider system
Person Specification
Qualifcations
Essential
- Registered with HCPC or NMC (relevant to professional body and professional discipline)
- Qualifications/experience in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of professional discipline
- Competencies in core autism assessment tools (e.g. ADOS-2, ADI-R)
- If from a Psychology background: Doctoral level training in clinical/ counselling psychology (including specifically models of:- Psychopathology, Psychometrics, Neuropsychology
- If from an OT, SALT or Nursing background: Masters degree or equivalent & Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism
Desirable
- Further training and qualification in autistic spectrum conditions (e.g. DISCO)
Experience
Essential
- Must have substantial post qualifying experience of:- Specialist assessment, formulation, and treatment of service users across the full range of care settings
- Working with a wide variety of service user groups across the autism spectrum with a full range of needs (including behaviours that challenge, mental health, abuse etc)
- Experience of quality improvement (QI) initiatives and other service development work
- Experience of working as part of an MDT and having a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities
- Experience of teaching training and clinical supervision
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Advanced knowledge (and skills) in the use of complex methods of specialist assessment interventions and management, and their application with individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or both
- Fully conversant (and competent), with a full range of Microsoft software, Excel, and other software mediums
- Skilled in the use of complex methods of assessment, intervention and management
Person Specification
Qualifcations
Essential
- Registered with HCPC or NMC (relevant to professional body and professional discipline)
- Qualifications/experience in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of professional discipline
- Competencies in core autism assessment tools (e.g. ADOS-2, ADI-R)
- If from a Psychology background: Doctoral level training in clinical/ counselling psychology (including specifically models of:- Psychopathology, Psychometrics, Neuropsychology
- If from an OT, SALT or Nursing background: Masters degree or equivalent & Post graduate qualification relevant to specialism
Desirable
- Further training and qualification in autistic spectrum conditions (e.g. DISCO)
Experience
Essential
- Must have substantial post qualifying experience of:- Specialist assessment, formulation, and treatment of service users across the full range of care settings
- Working with a wide variety of service user groups across the autism spectrum with a full range of needs (including behaviours that challenge, mental health, abuse etc)
- Experience of quality improvement (QI) initiatives and other service development work
- Experience of working as part of an MDT and having a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities
- Experience of teaching training and clinical supervision
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Advanced knowledge (and skills) in the use of complex methods of specialist assessment interventions and management, and their application with individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or both
- Fully conversant (and competent), with a full range of Microsoft software, Excel, and other software mediums
- Skilled in the use of complex methods of assessment, intervention and management
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.
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.
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
Hounslow and Richmond Community NHS Healthcare Trust
Address
Heart of Hounslow Centre for Heath
92 Bath Road
Hounslow
TW3 3EL
Employer's website
https://www.hrch.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
