Diabetes Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL

1. Provision of highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for patients in the diabetes service experiencing a range of psychological needs including adjustment difficulties, emotional distress in relation to their illness, depression, anxiety, eating issues, poor diabetes self-care and medication adherence issues
2. To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred patients when required
3. To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans
4. To provide specialist psychological consultation and supervision to colleagues within the diabetes MDT as well as to consult with other services who may be involved in the patients care on psychological aspects specific to diabetes and its management
5. To work with diabetes colleagues to coordinate the psychological services delivered as part of the diabetes multidisciplinary team
6. To provide psychological support for Type 1 diabetes in particular the young adults and transition patients

TEACHING, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

1. To provide clinical and professional supervision to qualified clinical psychologists
2. To provide specialist advice, consultation, training and clinical supervision to other members of the team
3. To continue to develop expertise in the area of professional training

MANAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT, POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

1. To contribute to the effective working of the diabetes service and to help contribute to the development and facilitation of a psychologically informed framework for the service
2. To contribute to the team and services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities
3. To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services
4. To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members
5. To participate in the ongoing implementation of new initiatives across the service

GENERAL

1. Active participation in internal and external CPD training to ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice.
2. To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management
3. To ensure 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 HCPC policies and procedures.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Registration

Essential

• Entry-level qualification in Applied Psychology (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level additional training) that has been accepted by the HCPC for purposes of professional registration
• Registered with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC
• Additional training in a specialised area of psychological practice through formal post-qualification training (PG Diploma or equivalent), or a combination of specialist short courses or an evidenced portfolio of supervised practice-based learning in a specialist area of clinical practice, assessed by an experienced clinical supervisor to be of equal level to a Postgraduate Diploma

Desirable

• Competence and/or specialist training in models of health psychology and/or behaviour change (e.g., motivational interviewing)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people living with diabetes
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary teams with colleagues from a range of disciplines
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of complex psychological and psychical health needs

Desirable

• Interest and/or experience in implementing service improvements

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions including for those living with complex medical conditions
• theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment
• Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care

Desirable

• Good working knowledge of models of health psychology in addition to models of psychopathology

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences
• To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison drawn from several sources
• To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials
• To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual patients and groups, and to organise meetings and joint activities with staff

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).

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

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Lewisham

London

SE13 6LH

Employer's website

https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)