Job summary
This exciting opportunity is a chance to to work in a thriving and well-established Bariatric Surgery service at Homerton Healthcare. We are advertising for two Assistant Psychologists, who will work alongside two Senior Psychologists within the wider team - which includes Consultant Surgeons, Specialist Medical Physicians, Anaesthetists, Nurses, Dietitians and Physiotherapists - to support people in preparing for, and adjusting to, a surgical weight loss intervention.
Under direction from the Senior Psychologists, the post holders will undertake assessment, formulation, and brief treatment interventions with patients both pre-operatively and post-operatively. There will be opportunities for close interdisciplinary working, and regular advice, liaison and consultation on patients' psychological care and readiness for surgery to colleagues from other disciplines will be required. The service also enjoys the benefits of close working relationships with other hospital and community based physical and mental health services to provide holistic, joined-up patient care.
Main duties of the job
The psychology service within the Bariatric Team has expanded rapidly in recent months and you will be able to contribute to research and service development areas, which currently includes: skilling up other members of the team in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) approaches; proposals to change the existing pre-operative pathway to provide more creative spaces to support patients in maximizing their weight loss procedure; and piloting the delivery of ACT based groups around emotional eating and other relevant areas related to promoting psychological adjustment.
The successful candidate will work alongside other psychologists to provide a specialist psychology service to the Bariatric service. Under the supervision of the Senior Psychologists, the post-holder will provide a range of psychological assessment and brief interventions, using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, to individuals who who are being considered for or are adjusting to a weight loss surgery procedure.
The role will also include joint working and consultation with other health and medical professionals in the team.
About us
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing and flourishing organisation serving the population of Hackney, East London, The City and beyond.
We are extremely proud of the fact that Homerton Hospital has recently attained the highest possible rating of "Outstanding" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our integrated Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community health services for its local population and a range of specialist services for a wider group of patients. In addition, the Trust manages services out of St Leonard's Hospital and the Mary Seacole Nursing Home.
Homerton aims to ensure equality and value diversity, and we are committed to inclusion for all of our staff. This is reflected in our policies, procedures and People Plan. All of our staff are expected to embody our Trust values at all times.
We are also committed, through our Fair Recruitment Standards, to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly.
Homerton has a proud tradition of supporting and developing its staff, including its well-regarded and valued nursing community, and all staff are able to take advantage of a great range of benefits.
Homerton is proud to have been included on the HSJ & Nursing Times Best Places to Work list.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s on this page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s on this page.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent in psychology
Desirable
- Post-Graduate Certificate or equivalent in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment (IAPT approved)
- Post-Graduate qualification in related field (e.g. mental health or clinical health psychology).
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Ability to build and sustain cross-discipline / sector relationships
- Ability to demonstrate sound person-centred skills in the engagement of patients within clinical settings
- Ability to manage highly emotive conversations with patients/carers/families empathically and professionally
- Ability to contain others' distress and to reflect on own responses to distress
- Computer literate - able to use spreadsheets and computerised information systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams etc.)
- Well-developed English written and oral communication skills - able to present complex information in jargon-free, reader-friendly ways
Desirable
- Presentation skills in front of groups
Experience
Essential
- Working with adults with long term health conditions
- Delivering psychological interventions for adult or older adult clients using CBT and/or one of the other evidence-based psychological treatment modalities
- Working in a health multidisciplinary team
- Experience and understanding of working with a diverse range of communities (e.g. ethnic, gender and sexual minorities)
- 1 or more years supervision from a Clinical Psychologist
Desirable
- Working with people living with obesity
- Carrying out audit or evaluative research in health services
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the national service standards as well as treatment guidance and the evidence-based treatments for bariatric surgery, obesity and weight related issues
- Broad background knowledge of health and social care policy
- Knowledge/understanding of weight stigma
Desirable
- Specific knowledge of Hackney obesity pathways
- Specific knowledge of Homerton Bariatric Surgery service
Other requirements
Essential
- Understanding of the Trust values
- Able to work independently
- A commitment to equal opportunities
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- First degree or equivalent in psychology
Desirable
- Post-Graduate Certificate or equivalent in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment (IAPT approved)
- Post-Graduate qualification in related field (e.g. mental health or clinical health psychology).
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Ability to build and sustain cross-discipline / sector relationships
- Ability to demonstrate sound person-centred skills in the engagement of patients within clinical settings
- Ability to manage highly emotive conversations with patients/carers/families empathically and professionally
- Ability to contain others' distress and to reflect on own responses to distress
- Computer literate - able to use spreadsheets and computerised information systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams etc.)
- Well-developed English written and oral communication skills - able to present complex information in jargon-free, reader-friendly ways
Desirable
- Presentation skills in front of groups
Experience
Essential
- Working with adults with long term health conditions
- Delivering psychological interventions for adult or older adult clients using CBT and/or one of the other evidence-based psychological treatment modalities
- Working in a health multidisciplinary team
- Experience and understanding of working with a diverse range of communities (e.g. ethnic, gender and sexual minorities)
- 1 or more years supervision from a Clinical Psychologist
Desirable
- Working with people living with obesity
- Carrying out audit or evaluative research in health services
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the national service standards as well as treatment guidance and the evidence-based treatments for bariatric surgery, obesity and weight related issues
- Broad background knowledge of health and social care policy
- Knowledge/understanding of weight stigma
Desirable
- Specific knowledge of Hackney obesity pathways
- Specific knowledge of Homerton Bariatric Surgery service
Other requirements
Essential
- Understanding of the Trust values
- Able to work independently
- A commitment to equal opportunities
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).
