Job summary
Working 32 hours per week. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Clinical/Counselling Psychologist to join out inpatient services for people in later life. Cothele, based in Derriford Hospital, is our mental health inpatient unit, and Edgcumbe, based within Mount Gould Hospital, is our dementia ward. Both wards are staffed by a team of friendly dedicated professionals who welcome the skills psychologists have to offer.
This is a new posting that the successful applicant can shape and develop, and would suit someone with a vision of what inpatient care in later life should look like.
You will receive regular supervision to guide and support your personal and professional development, and you will have unrivalled access to a network of clinical psychologist working in various specialities across the organisation.
We believe that education and learning should be a life long venture, so we would assist you financially to embark on any relevant post qualification training course you wish to complete.
Devon is a beautiful part of the world, and Plymouth is a thriving affordable city with much to offer. Our city is surrounded by lovely countryside walks and cycle tracks, moors steeped in history for you to roam and explore, and clean beaches and water sports to suit all ages.
We encourage 3rd year trainees about to qualify, and those who still consider themselves newly qualified and interested in later life psychology to apply.
Main duties of the job
LiveWell South West serves a population of approximately 250,000. This post is set
within two inpatient services for people in later life.
Job Purpose
To
improve the psychological health and wellbeing of people admitted for inpatient
care.
To support colleagues working on the ward, and ensure clinical practice is psychologically informed.
To
provide highly specialist psychological assessment, intervention and evaluation using a
variety of applied psychology models and tools.
To support and supervise staff who deliver psychological interventionsto patients.
To
utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development
To perform specialist psychology and neuropsychological assessments when required.
To provideconsultation, teaching and advice to ward staff, families, care &
residential staff, and other professionals working with older people.
To provide consultation and guidance to other professionals within the team regarding
the psychological aspects of their client work.
To provide clinical leadership, co-ordination and supervision for assistant
psychologists, trainees and other professionals trained in offering
psychological therapy attached to the wards.
To work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility
for the systematic governance of psychological practice within the team.
To work alongside other team members to ensure efficient and effective service
delivery on a day to day basis.
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Protected CPD time for registered staff
Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff
Leadership & mentoring programmes
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
A Robust Preceptorship
A bespoke induction programme
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To advise
both service and professional management on those aspects of the service where
psychological and or wider organisational matters need addressing
To
contribute to service development initiatives being progressed in the inpatient
service.
To possess
and practice a high level of communication and relationship skills in
situations where emotional distress and risk of self-harm and of life
threatening behaviour can be expected.
To deal
effectively with highly distressing service user and family situations (e.g.
family breakdown, abuse, verbal aggression, challenging behaviour) and to
support other staff in their responses to such situations (e.g. through
supervision, consultation, debriefing).
To
communicate with staff in the Later Life community teams, health, social care, and the voluntary sector in
a highly skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information
concerning the assessment, formulation and intervention plans for people who
are under our care.
To provide
support and guidance in the application of psychological principles and
techniques and to foster reflective practice at an individual and group level.
To be responsible
for providing a specialist psychological service to people in later life people presenting
with complex physical health problems, psychological disorders and
behavioural difficulties.
To use theoretical
and practical knowledge to perform specialist psychological, psychometric
assessments which require specialist analytic and interpretive skills.
To draw
on multiple sources and a range of theoretical psychological models and
knowledge to develop formulations that guides the development of clinical
interventions and care plans at an individual and group level. This includes making
skilled evaluations and decisions regarding the psychological management of
clients, including the management of risk.
To write
psychological reports for service users, referrers and carers detailing the
outcome of assessments and interventions and to communicate such complex
information in a sensitive manner.
To
provide advice and guidance through the process of consultation on
psychological aspects of a persons care to the person, colleagues, service
providers, paid carers and families.
To ensure
systematic psychological assessment of patients on admission takes place within
a given period.
To plan and prioritise workload, exercising autonomous
professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment, and discharge of
clients whose problems are managed by psychologically based care plans.
To work
primarily within a multidisciplinary approach where a variety of opinion and
expertise is brought to bear on a situation. To contribute to service
innovation for older people with mental health problems to best meet the
organisations strategy and priorities.
To be
responsible for planning and prioritising own workload and for balancing
individual responsibilities for service user work with other roles within and
outside the teams e.g. clinical audit, service development, consultancy and
training.
To lead
the day to day delivery of a psychology service for in-patients with organic
and functional illness.
Being responsible
for assessing, formulating and implementing plans for a range of evidence-based
psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families, groups and
service delivery systems.
Being
responsible for the adjustment and refining of psychological formulations,
drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of
provisional hypotheses based upon the analysis of each individual case. In
particular to be responsible for providing a direct service for patients whose
psychological issues demand more than a standard therapeutic approach e.g.
basic CBT may have been tried unsuccessfully, methods and approach may need
significant adaptation. In addition, to demonstrate awareness of race, culture
and diversity issues. To assess and manage risk within an appropriate
psychological framework.
To be responsible
for providing specialist advice and consultation to other service members on
psychological aspects of mental health; including appropriate treatment
approaches, complex issues of engaging people with memory difficulties and
maintaining change, and working with the wider systems which affect a persons
wellbeing (e.g. family, paid carers).
To
interpret and contribute to the development of policies and procedures for the
provision of psychology and psychological therapy services for OPMH.
To contribute to the multi-professional planning,
development and marketing of mental health wellbeing services.
To
maintain and apply psychometric tests and equipment, and evaluate progress.
To supervise
assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists.
To provide
therapy supervision to non-psychology staff providing psychological therapies on
the wards.
To provide
staff with a forum for reflective practice and team formulation of patients.
The
post holder will be required to compile clinical reports, maintain accurate
records using the appropriate IT system and be responsible for any other administrative
tasks relating to their clinical work e.g. clinical audit and reports.
The
post holder is responsible for liaising with other team members and health and
social care employees, both in verbal and written form in order to co-ordinate
effective and appropriate care for older people using Later Life Services.
To ensure
that other staff including ward staff and managers across a range of agencies
and settings have access to a psychologically based framework for the
understanding and care of inpatients through the provision of specialist
psychological advice, guidance and consultation, and the sharing of
psychological research and theory.
To carry
out research activities as and when required, applying knowledge of research
methodology and to contribute research knowledge and expertise to the research
activities of other disciplines as required by the service.
To take
responsibility and develop effective means of auditing and evaluating the
outcomes of individual work, team activity and clinics within the service.
The post
holder will be involved in identifying and implementing service developments
which will enhance the treatment opportunities provided to service users and
carers, through consultation and collaboration with managers, team members and
locality wide facilities.
The post holder is accountable for their own
professional actions, acting within LiveWell South West policies and
procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines (HCPC).
To work autonomously within clinical professional guidelines and
exercise responsibility for the governance of psychological practice with the
Health and Social Care partnership for Later Life Services.
To provide expert and specialist clinical psychologist expertise and
advice guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of client care to
colleagues, and, other service providers, and families.
To ensure
all clinical care and treatment provided by psychology is carried out under
appropriate supervision and leadership.
The post
holder will ensure that they maintain their awareness of research findings
concerning psychology, assessment and therapeutic interventions.
To contribute
to the supervision of Trainee Clinical Psychologists on D.Clin Psych Course
(Plymouth University).
Job description
Job responsibilities
To advise
both service and professional management on those aspects of the service where
psychological and or wider organisational matters need addressing
To
contribute to service development initiatives being progressed in the inpatient
service.
To possess
and practice a high level of communication and relationship skills in
situations where emotional distress and risk of self-harm and of life
threatening behaviour can be expected.
To deal
effectively with highly distressing service user and family situations (e.g.
family breakdown, abuse, verbal aggression, challenging behaviour) and to
support other staff in their responses to such situations (e.g. through
supervision, consultation, debriefing).
To
communicate with staff in the Later Life community teams, health, social care, and the voluntary sector in
a highly skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information
concerning the assessment, formulation and intervention plans for people who
are under our care.
To provide
support and guidance in the application of psychological principles and
techniques and to foster reflective practice at an individual and group level.
To be responsible
for providing a specialist psychological service to people in later life people presenting
with complex physical health problems, psychological disorders and
behavioural difficulties.
To use theoretical
and practical knowledge to perform specialist psychological, psychometric
assessments which require specialist analytic and interpretive skills.
To draw
on multiple sources and a range of theoretical psychological models and
knowledge to develop formulations that guides the development of clinical
interventions and care plans at an individual and group level. This includes making
skilled evaluations and decisions regarding the psychological management of
clients, including the management of risk.
To write
psychological reports for service users, referrers and carers detailing the
outcome of assessments and interventions and to communicate such complex
information in a sensitive manner.
To
provide advice and guidance through the process of consultation on
psychological aspects of a persons care to the person, colleagues, service
providers, paid carers and families.
To ensure
systematic psychological assessment of patients on admission takes place within
a given period.
To plan and prioritise workload, exercising autonomous
professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment, and discharge of
clients whose problems are managed by psychologically based care plans.
To work
primarily within a multidisciplinary approach where a variety of opinion and
expertise is brought to bear on a situation. To contribute to service
innovation for older people with mental health problems to best meet the
organisations strategy and priorities.
To be
responsible for planning and prioritising own workload and for balancing
individual responsibilities for service user work with other roles within and
outside the teams e.g. clinical audit, service development, consultancy and
training.
To lead
the day to day delivery of a psychology service for in-patients with organic
and functional illness.
Being responsible
for assessing, formulating and implementing plans for a range of evidence-based
psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families, groups and
service delivery systems.
Being
responsible for the adjustment and refining of psychological formulations,
drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of
provisional hypotheses based upon the analysis of each individual case. In
particular to be responsible for providing a direct service for patients whose
psychological issues demand more than a standard therapeutic approach e.g.
basic CBT may have been tried unsuccessfully, methods and approach may need
significant adaptation. In addition, to demonstrate awareness of race, culture
and diversity issues. To assess and manage risk within an appropriate
psychological framework.
To be responsible
for providing specialist advice and consultation to other service members on
psychological aspects of mental health; including appropriate treatment
approaches, complex issues of engaging people with memory difficulties and
maintaining change, and working with the wider systems which affect a persons
wellbeing (e.g. family, paid carers).
To
interpret and contribute to the development of policies and procedures for the
provision of psychology and psychological therapy services for OPMH.
To contribute to the multi-professional planning,
development and marketing of mental health wellbeing services.
To
maintain and apply psychometric tests and equipment, and evaluate progress.
To supervise
assistant psychologists and trainee clinical psychologists.
To provide
therapy supervision to non-psychology staff providing psychological therapies on
the wards.
To provide
staff with a forum for reflective practice and team formulation of patients.
The
post holder will be required to compile clinical reports, maintain accurate
records using the appropriate IT system and be responsible for any other administrative
tasks relating to their clinical work e.g. clinical audit and reports.
The
post holder is responsible for liaising with other team members and health and
social care employees, both in verbal and written form in order to co-ordinate
effective and appropriate care for older people using Later Life Services.
To ensure
that other staff including ward staff and managers across a range of agencies
and settings have access to a psychologically based framework for the
understanding and care of inpatients through the provision of specialist
psychological advice, guidance and consultation, and the sharing of
psychological research and theory.
To carry
out research activities as and when required, applying knowledge of research
methodology and to contribute research knowledge and expertise to the research
activities of other disciplines as required by the service.
To take
responsibility and develop effective means of auditing and evaluating the
outcomes of individual work, team activity and clinics within the service.
The post
holder will be involved in identifying and implementing service developments
which will enhance the treatment opportunities provided to service users and
carers, through consultation and collaboration with managers, team members and
locality wide facilities.
The post holder is accountable for their own
professional actions, acting within LiveWell South West policies and
procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines (HCPC).
To work autonomously within clinical professional guidelines and
exercise responsibility for the governance of psychological practice with the
Health and Social Care partnership for Later Life Services.
To provide expert and specialist clinical psychologist expertise and
advice guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of client care to
colleagues, and, other service providers, and families.
To ensure
all clinical care and treatment provided by psychology is carried out under
appropriate supervision and leadership.
The post
holder will ensure that they maintain their awareness of research findings
concerning psychology, assessment and therapeutic interventions.
To contribute
to the supervision of Trainee Clinical Psychologists on D.Clin Psych Course
(Plymouth University).
Person Specification
Communication Skills
Essential
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex highly technical and or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families carers and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS.
- IT Skills
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and promote psychological interventions as appropriate
- Emotional robustness to frequently work with the intense distress of others
- Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty
Experience
Essential
- Experience of teaching and training others
- Experience in assessing, formulating and providing interventions for older people with mental health problems & dementia
- Experience of conducting psychological assessments
- Experience of working in teams and maintaining working relationships and a high degree of professionalism
- This post requires a person to have gained theoretical and practical knowledge specific to organic and later life issues and interventions that is significantly beyond the core levels necessary to achieve Chartered status
- Knowledge of Older People Mental Health services in the NHS, skills and practice of clinical psychology.
- Knowledge of research methodology, research design, data analysis consistent with Chartered Psychology professions
Desirable
- Broad knowledge of Older Peoples Mental Health and Dementia in-patient services
- Experience of conducting and interpreting neuropsychological assessments
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to integrate complex data, make highly skilled evaluations and decisions, and take a long-term perspective
- Proficient in the manipulation of complex psychological test equipment for use in formal testing situations
- Ability to adapt style and/or assessment and intervention strategies to meet the challenges of complex clients /situations
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin. Psych or equivalent) and registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Postgraduate qualification/training in either: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Systemic family therapy, Mindfulness based therapies, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
Desirable
- Formal training in supervision of other psychologists
- Further training in or significant experience in neuropsychological assessment
Person Specification
Communication Skills
Essential
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex highly technical and or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families carers and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS.
- IT Skills
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and promote psychological interventions as appropriate
- Emotional robustness to frequently work with the intense distress of others
- Strong leadership qualities, resilience and ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty
Experience
Essential
- Experience of teaching and training others
- Experience in assessing, formulating and providing interventions for older people with mental health problems & dementia
- Experience of conducting psychological assessments
- Experience of working in teams and maintaining working relationships and a high degree of professionalism
- This post requires a person to have gained theoretical and practical knowledge specific to organic and later life issues and interventions that is significantly beyond the core levels necessary to achieve Chartered status
- Knowledge of Older People Mental Health services in the NHS, skills and practice of clinical psychology.
- Knowledge of research methodology, research design, data analysis consistent with Chartered Psychology professions
Desirable
- Broad knowledge of Older Peoples Mental Health and Dementia in-patient services
- Experience of conducting and interpreting neuropsychological assessments
- Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts
Analytical & Judgement Skills
Essential
- Ability to integrate complex data, make highly skilled evaluations and decisions, and take a long-term perspective
- Proficient in the manipulation of complex psychological test equipment for use in formal testing situations
- Ability to adapt style and/or assessment and intervention strategies to meet the challenges of complex clients /situations
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified Clinical/Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin. Psych or equivalent) and registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist
- Postgraduate qualification/training in either: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Systemic family therapy, Mindfulness based therapies, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy.
Desirable
- Formal training in supervision of other psychologists
- Further training in or significant experience in neuropsychological assessment
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).
