Job summary
Are you a psychologist who loves diversity in your work in clinical health? Are you keen to use your leadership and management skills to co-lead and develop psychology provision within a close-knit MDT?
This is a rewarding role working with patients who have Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), type 2 (NF2), or Schwannomatosis. These are genetic conditions that cause benign tumours to grow along nerves; no experience of them is needed, we will teach you all you need to know.
We work with issues like concerns about appearance, pain, and cognitive difficulties, and support patients who are deciding on treatment options or having surgery. You will work closely with our nurses, social worker and physio. We use CBT, ACT and systemic approaches, face-to-face or virtual, with scope to be creative and flexible with short ad hoc and group work as well as longer interventions.
You will co- lead the service with another Band 8a psychologist; you will be responsible for the overall management of the psychology service, its clinical governance and development. You will also be instrumental in the development and delivery of a new paediatric psychology pathway. You will work with both adults and children. There are lot of opportunities for audit, research, teaching, staff support and chances to learn from others in the team and across the Trust. Psychology input is really valued by the patients and everyone in the team, which makes it a fulfilling and enjoyable job.
Main duties of the job
You will offer evidence-based interventions to patients with NF1, NF2 or Schwannomatosis, whose condition is impacting on their mental health and quality of life. You'll be embedded in the NF team, so the role can include consultation, teaching and joint work.
You will be responsible for the development and delivery of a new paediatric pathway and will co-lead the overall running of the psychology service, including working with the admin team to manage patient pathways, leading on audit, research and service development, and representing the service both within and outside the Trust.
Some of our patients have mild cognitive, sensory or mobility impairments, and you will work flexibly to meet their needs.
We are looking for someone with:
- Good clinical skills in CBT, at least one other model of working
- An interest in brain and behaviour relationships
- Experience in working with and consulting to other professionals in the MDT
- Skills to lead and manage this small service, including working with managers to keep it running efficiently, and make the case for further development
- Experience of leading on research and audit within a clinical setting
- Confidence to represent the NF Psychology service nationally, internationally and to commissioners
About us
The NF service is one of two UK national centres for NF1, and four for NF2, with patients coming from a wide geographical area. We are a close team, with most of the professions sharing office and clinical space, and we are very lucky in having excellent admin support. The service is led by neurologists and takes a holistic approach to care, with patients able to see doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers in one setting. The psychologists play a role in supporting the neurology clinics, being available for short ad hoc chats with patients and families as well as consulting other team members, and we run our own clinics and groups as well.
In the past we have offered placements to MSc students and there is scope to develop this further, with strong links with MSc courses in London, and the King's College London/IoPPN DClinPsy training course.
We really value our individual team members and we'll ensure you have the chance to meet your own development needs and progress your career as part of your work with us. We also contribute to national and international NF networks so there are many opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from other centres and to attend meetings worldwide. The wider Trust has a large and well-connected psychology workforce and CPD is encouraged so you will also be able to enhance your own practice via professional development and contact with other psychologists across the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is an exciting new role to co-lead the psychology service for patients with Neurofibromatosis (NF). The post-holder will have experience of working in medical settings across the lifespan with people with chronic conditions. They will be instrumental in the development and delivery of a new paediatric psychology pathway. They will work with both adults and children.
The post-holder will provide psychological input to NF Services through clinics, support groups and indirect work. The post-holder will draw from and integrate a range of psychology models to inform good practice supporting the needs of patients and carers with NF. Specifically, treatment is formulation based and the post-holder will design time-limited, evidence-based psychosocial interventions to improve functioning, develop coping skills and adjustment, improve psychological wellbeing and quality of life. They will represent psychology input into the NF service when required at directorate or national meetings relevant to the service.
The post holder will also contribute to service development and implementation in a highly specialist medical area and in doing so offer expertise to the MDT staff in the inter-play between physical health and psychological presentations.
The post-holder will also design and conduct teaching and training programmes for other staff within the directorate with a view to raising awareness of psychological factors and improving care for this patient group.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is an exciting new role to co-lead the psychology service for patients with Neurofibromatosis (NF). The post-holder will have experience of working in medical settings across the lifespan with people with chronic conditions. They will be instrumental in the development and delivery of a new paediatric psychology pathway. They will work with both adults and children.
The post-holder will provide psychological input to NF Services through clinics, support groups and indirect work. The post-holder will draw from and integrate a range of psychology models to inform good practice supporting the needs of patients and carers with NF. Specifically, treatment is formulation based and the post-holder will design time-limited, evidence-based psychosocial interventions to improve functioning, develop coping skills and adjustment, improve psychological wellbeing and quality of life. They will represent psychology input into the NF service when required at directorate or national meetings relevant to the service.
The post holder will also contribute to service development and implementation in a highly specialist medical area and in doing so offer expertise to the MDT staff in the inter-play between physical health and psychological presentations.
The post-holder will also design and conduct teaching and training programmes for other staff within the directorate with a view to raising awareness of psychological factors and improving care for this patient group.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessment using a range of psychometric scales and clinical interview to arrive at a psychological formulation.
- Experience of delivering of treatment based on formulation and diagnosis, integrating a range of evidence-based models
- Experience of designing theory-based interventions to improve self-management of long-term physical health conditions.
- Experience of at least one additional model of treatment, aside from CBT.
- Experience of working with adults, children and families/carers
Desirable
- Experience of offering different formats of psychological treatments, including groups.
- Experience working with people with visible difference and/or Learning Disability and/or sensory impairments.
- Experience of leading a psychology service
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate in clinical psychology or equivalent training, matching in experience.
- Eligible for graduate registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registration with the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC).
Desirable
- BABCP accreditation in CBT or an additional evidence-based psychological treatment model (e.g. CAT, systemic therapy)
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of relevant psychological theories, approaches
- Up to date knowledge of evidence base for application of clinical or health psychology in physical health and health improvement.
Desirable
- Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities, trauma and severely challenging behaviours etc.)
Skills
Essential
- Competence in leading audit and research (qualitative and quantitative approaches).
Desirable
- Competence in teaching and training and inter- and multi-disciplinary supervision.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of assessment using a range of psychometric scales and clinical interview to arrive at a psychological formulation.
- Experience of delivering of treatment based on formulation and diagnosis, integrating a range of evidence-based models
- Experience of designing theory-based interventions to improve self-management of long-term physical health conditions.
- Experience of at least one additional model of treatment, aside from CBT.
- Experience of working with adults, children and families/carers
Desirable
- Experience of offering different formats of psychological treatments, including groups.
- Experience working with people with visible difference and/or Learning Disability and/or sensory impairments.
- Experience of leading a psychology service
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate in clinical psychology or equivalent training, matching in experience.
- Eligible for graduate registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registration with the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC).
Desirable
- BABCP accreditation in CBT or an additional evidence-based psychological treatment model (e.g. CAT, systemic therapy)
Knowledge
Essential
- Up to date knowledge of relevant psychological theories, approaches
- Up to date knowledge of evidence base for application of clinical or health psychology in physical health and health improvement.
Desirable
- Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities, trauma and severely challenging behaviours etc.)
Skills
Essential
- Competence in leading audit and research (qualitative and quantitative approaches).
Desirable
- Competence in teaching and training and inter- and multi-disciplinary supervision.
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).
