Job summary
Principal Practitioner Psychologist in Diabetes
The Diabetes service is a dynamic and friendly multidisciplinary team (MDT) comprising of Dietitians, Diabetes Specialist Nurses and Consultant Diabetologists. The service is seeking an enthusiastic colleague to work alongside other members of the Diabetes MDT, as a Principal Practitioner Psychologist in Diabetes (clinical/health/counselling) at University Hospital Lewisham, where you will develop a new psychology service, in line with relevant national guidelines, within the University Hospital Lewisham Diabetes Services, covering both hospital and community settings.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will be responsible for the development and delivery of a high quality, responsive and accessible Psychology service for people with diabetes. The successful candidate will provide specialist psychological screening, assessment and treatment to patients with type 1 / complex type 2 diabetes and associated psychological difficulties and become a valuable source of psychological expertise for the MDT. This includes providing specialist psychological assessment and a therapeutic service to individuals struggling to manage their condition and/or experiencing significant emotional difficulties due to living with diabetes. The post-holder will develop psychological pathways, working closely with wider service providers. The post-holder will be encouraged to join national networks of psychologists working in diabetes to enhance support, ensure best practice and continued clinical development.
The post holder is expected to be a HCPC registered Clinical, Health, or Counselling Psychologist and have experience of working with people with chronic physical health conditions. as well as having excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with a range of professionals, patients and families.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
- Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
- Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
- Improving the experience of staff with disability
- Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
- Making equalities mainstream
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, along with the Diabetes service, is committed to the growth and professional development of our colleagues. We take workplace well-being seriously and are proactive in offering flexible working options.
Job description
Job responsibilities
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To offer highly specialised psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions (both group and individual as required (face to face and by telephone/video) to young adults living with diabetes and other complex physical and psychological health needs (e.g., eating disorders), including risk management.
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To support the diabetes and Transition young adults (YA) teams with psychological aspects of their work with patients and families/carers, offering consultation, group supervision, joint working and training as required.
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To develop a programme of audit, evaluation and research, offering opportunities to Psychology Doctorate Trainees and other aspiring Psychologists from local courses, as appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
-
-
To offer highly specialised psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions (both group and individual as required (face to face and by telephone/video) to young adults living with diabetes and other complex physical and psychological health needs (e.g., eating disorders), including risk management.
-
To support the diabetes and Transition young adults (YA) teams with psychological aspects of their work with patients and families/carers, offering consultation, group supervision, joint working and training as required.
-
To develop a programme of audit, evaluation and research, offering opportunities to Psychology Doctorate Trainees and other aspiring Psychologists from local courses, as appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Registration
Essential
- To have undertaken a recognised qualification in psychology (clinical, counselling or health psychology) or to have equivalent relevant training, experience, and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
- For Psychologists: . 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.
- For CBT Therapists: : Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the BABCP for purposes of professional registration.
- Registered with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC or equivalent professional registration e.g. BABPC
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 a long-term condition
- 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 physical health needs
- Experience of supervising trainees, after taking the relevant supervisor training
- Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists or other professional groups
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with diabetes
- Experience of carrying out research, audit and other service evaluation projects
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
- Specialist knowledge and understanding of theory of cognitive behavioural therapy or other third wave therapies
- 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
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for patients with diabetes
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship
- Ability to deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences
- Ability 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 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
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, highly technical and sensitive information to clients, families and colleagues
- Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate
- Commitment to continuing professional development, to partnership working and to reflective clinical practice
Person Specification
Qualifications and Registration
Essential
- To have undertaken a recognised qualification in psychology (clinical, counselling or health psychology) or to have equivalent relevant training, experience, and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
- For Psychologists: . 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.
- For CBT Therapists: : Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the BABCP for purposes of professional registration.
- Registered with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC or equivalent professional registration e.g. BABPC
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 a long-term condition
- 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 physical health needs
- Experience of supervising trainees, after taking the relevant supervisor training
- Experience of providing teaching and training to psychologists or other professional groups
Desirable
- Experience of working with people with diabetes
- Experience of carrying out research, audit and other service evaluation projects
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
- Specialist knowledge and understanding of theory of cognitive behavioural therapy or other third wave therapies
- 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
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for patients with diabetes
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Ability to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship
- Ability to deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences
- Ability 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 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
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex, highly technical and sensitive information to clients, families and colleagues
- Ability to work as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate
- Commitment to continuing professional development, to partnership working and to reflective clinical practice
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).
