Neonatal Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the effective working of the multi-disciplinary NICU Team, with promotion of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and Family Integrated Care (FICare).

To provide specialist psychological assessments of patients referred to the service based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.

To implement a variety of highly specialist psychological interventions as part of such a treatment plan with individuals, families or carers, keeping formulation and

intervention under constant review, and making adjustments/decisions based on analysis of complex individual/family and therapeutic factors.

With the support of the Senior Psychologist, to exercise professional responsibility for assessment, treatment options and discharge planning, taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.

To communicate effectively, empathically and clearly with individuals, families and carers regarding psychological or medical matters which can be highly complicated. To have an empathetic awareness that parents/ carers are frequently in a traumatised state (for example following a difficult birth, complications in their babys physical health and perinatal losses), which may impede their understanding and retention of information and heighten their sensitivity to staff communication styles.

To communicate effectively and clearly with clinical colleagues regarding psychological assessments and interventions by organizing and putting across the highly complex information involved in a relevant and usable form (written and spoken), as well as in day-to day liaison and consultation.

To undertake risk assessment and risk management as appropriate for individual patients and to provide advice to other professions on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management. To signpost to other services and colleagues when appropriate.

Undertake other appropriate duties to meet the needs of the Service and individuals.

To maintain the highest standard of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing.

To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to mental health.

To maintain registration as a Clinical Psychologist with the Health and Care Professional Council.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification/Training

Essential

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent (pre 1996)
• Eligible for chartered status as a clinical psychologist
• HCPC Registered

Experience

Essential

• Experience in individual therapy, work with families and group work
• Competence in assessing and managing risk
• Ability to administer, score and report on psychometric measures.

Desirable

• Experience of work within a neonatal environment
• Experience of clinical work in perinatal mental health settings and/or of clinical work with children & families experiencing acute or chronic illness.
• Experience of clinical work with infants/ children and families experiencing acute or chronic illness.
• Experience of clinical work within an acute hospital or neonatal or paediatric setting.

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.

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

Lewisham High Street

London

SE13 6LH

Employer's website

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