Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and flexible Highly Specialist Practitioner Psychologist to become part of a brand new integrated psychology team within the Major Trauma Centre at King's College Hospital. This unique opportunity has come about as a result of an innovative and exciting programme of work within London's four Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) that has been supported by funding from the NHS London Violence Reduction Programme team in collaboration with Specialised Commissioning.
The successful post holder will support the Principal Practitioner Psychologist in the delivery and operationalisation of an integrated model of psychological care for survivors of major trauma. The post holder will also work to provide highly specialist psychology input which will include specialist screening, assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
Established support structures are in place with the post holder benefitting from clinical and professional supervision, support from the regional psychology clinical lead for major trauma, MTC data analyst colleagues, close working relationships from numerous medical departments within King's College Hospital and peer support from a friendly and innovative group of psychologists and psychotherapists working in a busy hospital setting serving a diverse inner city population.
Main duties of the job
- To provide a highly specialist integrated psychology service to the Major Trauma Centre (MTC) at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust including specialist screening, assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
- To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.
- To provide clinical supervision and consultation as appropriate, functioning as a lead specialist in the psychological aspects of the care and treatment of MTC patients.
- To undertake service evaluation, audit, research and policy development.
- To work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, and guided by principles, policies and procedures of the employing organisation (King's College Hospital), partner organisations (South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust) and the MTC service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters.
- To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved.
About us
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reachis our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King's to another level.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for patients in the MTC service including developing and delivering psychological interventions tailored to meet the needs of both inpatients and those who have been discharged.
- To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred patient when required.
- To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
- To work with MTC colleagues to co-ordinate the services delivered as part of the MTC psychology team
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning
- To contribute to the effective working of the MTC psychology team and the MTC service and to help contribute to the development and facilitation of a psychologically informed framework for the service.
- To contribute to the team and services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
- To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
- To advise other members of the MTC service on specialist psychological care of clients.
- To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.
- To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
- To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
- To participate in the ongoing implementation of new initiatives (e.g. national guidelines) across the service.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources
- To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.
- To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.
KR 5 Management and supervision
- To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychologists and any assistant psychologists with support from a more senior psychologist.
- To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism.
- To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
KR 6 Teaching and Training
- To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate.
- To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the MTC service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and the MTC service and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance
- To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
KR 8 Research and development
- To initiate, undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits.
- To initiate and carry out appropriate research (NB: not a major job requirement [major = 20% or more of job]).
- To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to the MTC service.
- To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.
KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development
- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
- To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development.
- To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
- To comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.
- To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
KR10 General
- To travel to sites across the Trust and the area it serves as appropriate and when required.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management.
- To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations including those associated with critically unwell patients and those approaching end of life care and to support others involved in such situations where appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KR 1 Clinical and Client Care
- To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for patients in the MTC service including developing and delivering psychological interventions tailored to meet the needs of both inpatients and those who have been discharged.
- To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred patient when required.
- To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
- To work with MTC colleagues to co-ordinate the services delivered as part of the MTC psychology team
KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning
- To contribute to the effective working of the MTC psychology team and the MTC service and to help contribute to the development and facilitation of a psychologically informed framework for the service.
- To contribute to the team and services delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
- To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
- To advise other members of the MTC service on specialist psychological care of clients.
- To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.
- To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
KR 3 Policy and service development
- To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
- To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
- To participate in the ongoing implementation of new initiatives (e.g. national guidelines) across the service.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
KR 4 Care or management of resources
- To take care of, and use carefully, the Trusts equipment and physical resources.
- To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.
KR 5 Management and supervision
- To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychologists and any assistant psychologists with support from a more senior psychologist.
- To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism.
- To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychologists, as appropriate.
- To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
KR 6 Teaching and Training
- To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychologists and specialised training to other professions as appropriate.
- To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the MTC service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and the MTC service and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance
- To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
KR 8 Research and development
- To initiate, undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits.
- To initiate and carry out appropriate research (NB: not a major job requirement [major = 20% or more of job]).
- To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to the MTC service.
- To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.
KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development
- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
- To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and the HCPC Standards for Continuing Professional Development.
- To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
- To comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these.
- To adhere to the BPSs Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
KR10 General
- To travel to sites across the Trust and the area it serves as appropriate and when required.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management.
- To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations including those associated with critically unwell patients and those approaching end of life care and to support others involved in such situations where appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
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.
- 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.
- Completed training course in clinical supervision
- Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC
Desirable
- Competence and/or specialist training in models of health psychology and/or behaviour change (e.g., motivational interviewing)
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions including for those living with complex medical conditions.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for people experiencing trauma
- Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics.
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
- Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.
Desirable
- Good working knowledge of models of health psychology in addition to models of psychopathology
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of having worked with people with medical conditions as a clinical specialist under supervision
- 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 assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training.
- Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
Desirable
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs specifically related to cancer.
- Interest and/or experience in implementing service improvements.
Skills
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 assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive, challenging and extremist behaviour amongst the patient group and follow trust policies relating to the management of those behaviours.
- To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
- To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups, and to organise meetings and joint activities with staff of partner agencies.
- To plan allocation of tasks to assistant and trainee psychologists.
- To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials.
- Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data.
- Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
Ability
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
- Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
- Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these.
- Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with critical unwell patients, victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
- Ability to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self.
Person Specification
Qualifications
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.
- 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.
- Completed training course in clinical supervision
- Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist, and evidence of continuing professional development as required by the HCPC
Desirable
- Competence and/or specialist training in models of health psychology and/or behaviour change (e.g., motivational interviewing)
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological assessments and interventions including for those living with complex medical conditions.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for people experiencing trauma
- Advanced knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics.
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
- Doctoral level knowledge of psychological research methodology and complex statistical analysis.
Desirable
- Good working knowledge of models of health psychology in addition to models of psychopathology
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of having worked with people with medical conditions as a clinical specialist under supervision
- 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 assistant and trainee psychologists having completed the relevant training.
- Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
Desirable
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs specifically related to cancer.
- Interest and/or experience in implementing service improvements.
Skills
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 assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
- To be aware of risk relating to aggressive, challenging and extremist behaviour amongst the patient group and follow trust policies relating to the management of those behaviours.
- To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
- To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups, and to organise meetings and joint activities with staff of partner agencies.
- To plan allocation of tasks to assistant and trainee psychologists.
- To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials.
- Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data.
- Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
Ability
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
- Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
- Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these.
- Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with critical unwell patients, victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
- Ability to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self.
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).
