Job summary
SPECIALIST LEARNING DISABILITIES DIRECTORATE
Band 8a (7-8a Preceptorship)Specialist Clinical/Counselling Psychologist 1wte (37.5hours)
Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT)Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
We are seeking a highly motivated, person centred individual with excellent communication skills to work with us on a fixed term contract in our well-established Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT).
We aim to provide high quality, community based, integrated services for adults with learning disabilities. As such, we are seeking a specialist psychological practitioner with a passion for working within and improving learning disability services.
You will have experience of working therapeutically with people with learning disabilities in a variety of settings and of working with people who have complex mental and/or physical health needs, autism and complex behavioural needs. You will be an experienced psychological practitioner who relishes multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working, who can work creatively to secure good outcomes and embrace new ways of working. An active interest in academic research is also highly desirable.
The wider CLDT are clinically and professionally supportive, pro-psychology and provide frequent opportunities for creative and collaborative joint working. MDT colleagues include nurses, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychiatry. As a psychologist, you will be an important member of the MDT.
Main duties of the job
You will benefit from the support of a large number of highly talented, enthusiastic and friendly psychology colleagues. The Specialist Learning Disability Directorate (which covers both Shropshire and South Staffordshire) meet regularly for joint CPD events and facilitate a number of local special interest groups.
MPFT is committed to the well being and professional development of its staff. You will be offered opportunities for personal/professional development in order to support you to develop your own potential, the quality of our services and ultimately the outcomes for our service users, their carers and their families.
You will work County-wide across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
MPT is embracing blended ways of working, combining face-to-face work with service users alongside the use of digital platforms (as appropriate).
Please note the job description attached for this post is as an 8A Psychologist. If the successful candidate is appointed on a 7/8a preceptorship, an individualised progression plan will be agreed.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Dr Rae Cox (Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Local Lead) Rachel.Cox@mpft.nhs.uk or Dr Gail Thomas (Adult Learning Disability Services Psychology Lead and Clinical Director) Gail.Thomas@mpft.nhs.uk
About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.
We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.
We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.
We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILTIES
1. To provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and therapy at the same time as offering advice and consultation to non-psychology colleagues and other non-professional carers, working autonomously within professional guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.2. To use research skills in audit and policy development within the area covered by the service.3. To further contribute to the service by teaching, publishing research and providing clinical supervision to Psychologists undertaking doctoral clinical and/or counselling psychology training, assistant psychologists, community nurses and other members of the multi-disciplinary team as required.Clinical
1. To provide specialist psychological assessments of service users referred to the CLDT, based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources. Clinical work will take place across all settings and agencies serving service users served by the team, including family homes, day or educational and residential facilities at an individual or group level.2. To formulate and implement plans for the psychological treatment and management of people with learning disabilities who may have mental health problems and/or challenging behaviours. There will be a need to adjust and refine psychological formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.3. To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options based upon evidence of efficacy, across the full range of care settings. This may involve working in hostile challenging and highly emotive environments and require the highest levels of interpersonal and communication skills. The post holder exercises autonomous professional responsibility for their psychological practice within the CLDT.4. To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to service users care; and to contribute to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care, to the benefit of all users of the service.5. To undertake risk assessment and risk management for service users, and provide advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk.6. To undertake any additional clinical risk assessment training relevant to the role.7. To provide a psychological perspective to case discussion and Care Co-ordination and contribute to the decision making processes of the team for service users across all settings and agencies. To liaise with professionals, families and carers coordinating the delivery of psychological services for service users of the team.8. To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment formulation and treatment plans of service users in their care and monitor progress during the course of intervention.9. To undertake complex behavioural work with people with complex behavioral needs, following the services internal PBS pathway as required.10. To maintain up-to-date clinical skills based on current best evidence and best practice for working psychologically with adults with a learning disability.*Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.*
Job description
Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILTIES
1. To provide specialist psychological assessment, formulation and therapy at the same time as offering advice and consultation to non-psychology colleagues and other non-professional carers, working autonomously within professional guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.2. To use research skills in audit and policy development within the area covered by the service.3. To further contribute to the service by teaching, publishing research and providing clinical supervision to Psychologists undertaking doctoral clinical and/or counselling psychology training, assistant psychologists, community nurses and other members of the multi-disciplinary team as required.Clinical
1. To provide specialist psychological assessments of service users referred to the CLDT, based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources. Clinical work will take place across all settings and agencies serving service users served by the team, including family homes, day or educational and residential facilities at an individual or group level.2. To formulate and implement plans for the psychological treatment and management of people with learning disabilities who may have mental health problems and/or challenging behaviours. There will be a need to adjust and refine psychological formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.3. To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options based upon evidence of efficacy, across the full range of care settings. This may involve working in hostile challenging and highly emotive environments and require the highest levels of interpersonal and communication skills. The post holder exercises autonomous professional responsibility for their psychological practice within the CLDT.4. To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to service users care; and to contribute to a psychologically based framework of understanding and care, to the benefit of all users of the service.5. To undertake risk assessment and risk management for service users, and provide advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk.6. To undertake any additional clinical risk assessment training relevant to the role.7. To provide a psychological perspective to case discussion and Care Co-ordination and contribute to the decision making processes of the team for service users across all settings and agencies. To liaise with professionals, families and carers coordinating the delivery of psychological services for service users of the team.8. To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment formulation and treatment plans of service users in their care and monitor progress during the course of intervention.9. To undertake complex behavioural work with people with complex behavioral needs, following the services internal PBS pathway as required.10. To maintain up-to-date clinical skills based on current best evidence and best practice for working psychologically with adults with a learning disability.*Please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification for further details.*
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including specifically models of psycho-pathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
- Trained in clinical supervision of doctoral trainees (i.e. completed all relevant STAR Training).
- Currently registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Eligible for BPS Chartered Status. Eligible for full membership of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP).
Experience
Essential
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, seeing service users presenting with a wide variety of mental health and behavioural needs in a range of settings. Offering evidence-based psychological interventions and adhering to appropriate best practice and professional guidance as a qualified clinician.
- Experience of working therapeutically with services users with a learning disability and with people on the autistic continuum; including those presenting with behavioural needs which challenges services.
- Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological approaches for working with challenging behaviour, people on the autistic continuum, and with people with complex mental health needs.
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS, including Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding.
- Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, including specifically models of psycho-pathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
- Trained in clinical supervision of doctoral trainees (i.e. completed all relevant STAR Training).
- Currently registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
- Eligible for BPS Chartered Status. Eligible for full membership of the Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP).
Experience
Essential
- Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, seeing service users presenting with a wide variety of mental health and behavioural needs in a range of settings. Offering evidence-based psychological interventions and adhering to appropriate best practice and professional guidance as a qualified clinician.
- Experience of working therapeutically with services users with a learning disability and with people on the autistic continuum; including those presenting with behavioural needs which challenges services.
- Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological approaches for working with challenging behaviour, people on the autistic continuum, and with people with complex mental health needs.
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS, including Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding.
- Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology.
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).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
