Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for thoughtful Psychodynamic Psychotherapist to join our team. This is a permanent, psychodynamic psychotherapy post. You will join a lively team of psychoanalytic practitioners, within the Psychology & Psychotherapies Team in the Southwark Primary Mental Health Care Team, based at the Maudsley Hospital in Denmark Hill, and at other venues within Southwark.

Applicants should have a qualification in psychodynamic psychotherapy accredited by BPC/UKCP/ BACP or similar. Trainees in their final months of gaining their qualification will also be considered for this post)

We particularly welcome applicants from BAME backgrounds given the Trust's desire to reflect the community we serve.

The PCMHT Psychology and Psychotherapies Team offers a range of specialist psychological therapies for mood, anxiety, trauma related and personality difficulties for adults with long-standing and complex mental health difficulties. We are looking for someone who can offer specialist psychological assessments, formulations, group work, and longer-term psychotherapy, for a diverse community of clients with complex needs. The post holder will join the P&P team to provide psychological input within a stepped-care approach and will be working closely with our multi-disciplinary colleagues.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities will include:

Offering specialist psychodynamic assessments, formulations and psychotherapy for clients with moderate to severe depression, anxiety, trauma and personality disorders
Offering culturally appropriate psychotherapy consultations with carers or families of referred clients when required
Psychodynamic psychotherapy for up to 12 months
Helping to increase engagement from BAME and other minoritised communities

You must beexperienced and motivated, flexible and be able to show initiative in an environment which can be pressured at times.

We look forward to receiving your application if you have skills in therapy with patients who present with complex lives, significant adversity, and long-term interpersonal difficulties. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

Evidence of significant knowledge and skills in psychodynamic psychotherapy
Sound clinical risk assessment and management
Experience or an interest in groups
Experience of helping patients work with experiences of racism, homophobia, sexism and other forms of structural prejudice
A desire to work collaboratively with professional colleagues

About us

We are committed to ensuring our staff get the most out of their benefits package and understand the importance of a healthy work life balance. There is an extensive range of excellent benefits for you and your family. We want you to feel like you are part of a close knit team at SLaM. It's important to us that you valued and appreciated and that are why we have a comprehensive benefits package on offer

Some of our benefits are highlighted here:

Generous pay, pensions and leave, we offer a comprehensive pay, pensions and leave package which is dependent on the role and length of service.
Work life balance, flexible working and support a range of flexible options, such as: part-time working and job sharing.
Career development, There are plenty of opportunities to progress your career and we support your development through a number of programmes such as mentoring, coaching, positive people management, collective leadership and other talent programmes
Car lease, our staff benefits from competitive deals to lease cars
Accommodation, our staff benefits from keyworker housing available which is available on selected sites
NHS discounts, with discounts up to 10% from a variety of well-known retail brands though Health Service Discounts website.

Other benefits include:

Counselling services
Wellbeing events
Long service awards
Cycle to work scheme
Season ticket loan
Childcare vouchers
Staff restaurants

Date posted

10 July 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£51,488 to £57,802 a year per annum Incl. of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-SOU-5423247-FR

Job locations

Maudsley Hospital

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8AZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the liaison mental health service, including developing and delivering psychological interventions tailored to the needs of people living with complex medical and psychosocial problems.
To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
To offer neuropsychological assessment where appropriate, drawing on specialist supervision.
To provide appropriate psychological interventions to patients presenting to the Emergency Department when required or indicated.
To communicate skilfully and appropriately, highly complex and sensitive information with patients, carers, colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team and other health professionals, taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the of liaison services and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.
To contribute to the team or 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 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 the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
To participate in the ongoing implementation of new initiatives (e.g. national guidelines) across the liaison mental health service and and the adult clinical health psychology speciality.
To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

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 an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.
To supervise trainee applied psychologists / psychotherapists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Courses Supervision Training.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To provide occasional specialist training in psychological approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.
To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and the 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 undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits or research relevant to service needs.
To contribute to and support 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 / psychotherapist according to HCPC, or equivalent psychotherapy accreditation body (e.g., BACP, BABCP, UKCP) 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 or equivalent psychotherapy accreditation body (e.g., BACP, BABCP, UKCP)
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 and, or that of the equivalent psychotherapy accreditation body (e.g., the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions).
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 physically unwell patients approaching end of life care and to support others involved in such situations.
The post holder has a duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the liaison mental health service, including developing and delivering psychological interventions tailored to the needs of people living with complex medical and psychosocial problems.
To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
To offer neuropsychological assessment where appropriate, drawing on specialist supervision.
To provide appropriate psychological interventions to patients presenting to the Emergency Department when required or indicated.
To communicate skilfully and appropriately, highly complex and sensitive information with patients, carers, colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team and other health professionals, taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the of liaison services and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.
To contribute to the team or 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 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 the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
To participate in the ongoing implementation of new initiatives (e.g. national guidelines) across the liaison mental health service and and the adult clinical health psychology speciality.
To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.

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 an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.
To supervise trainee applied psychologists / psychotherapists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Courses Supervision Training.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To provide occasional specialist training in psychological approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.
To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and the 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 undertake regular complex service evaluation, audits or research relevant to service needs.
To contribute to and support 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 / psychotherapist according to HCPC, or equivalent psychotherapy accreditation body (e.g., BACP, BABCP, UKCP) 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 or equivalent psychotherapy accreditation body (e.g., BACP, BABCP, UKCP)
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 and, or that of the equivalent psychotherapy accreditation body (e.g., the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions).
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 physically unwell patients approaching end of life care and to support others involved in such situations.
The post holder has a duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Qualification in Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and registration with the BPC/ UKCP/ BACP for purposes of professional registration - (or in the case of newly qualifying students, the basis for this registration) (A/I)

Experience

Essential

Experience of psychotherapy with clients with a range of psychopathology of a complex nature in an adult mental health secondary care mood, anxiety, trauma and personality service. (A/I)
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. (A/I)

Desirable

Experience in structuring and presenting psychoeducation or psychotherapy groups for patients from a diverse range of personal and cultural experiences
Experience of developing and carrying out research projects.

Knowledge

Essential

oSound theoretical knowledge of psychodynamic psychotherapy
o Experience in offering psychotherapy across cultural and other differences.
oExperience in psychotherapy assessments

Abilities

Essential

oAbility to work effectively within complex multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environments, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Qualification in Adult Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and registration with the BPC/ UKCP/ BACP for purposes of professional registration - (or in the case of newly qualifying students, the basis for this registration) (A/I)

Experience

Essential

Experience of psychotherapy with clients with a range of psychopathology of a complex nature in an adult mental health secondary care mood, anxiety, trauma and personality service. (A/I)
Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience. (A/I)

Desirable

Experience in structuring and presenting psychoeducation or psychotherapy groups for patients from a diverse range of personal and cultural experiences
Experience of developing and carrying out research projects.

Knowledge

Essential

oSound theoretical knowledge of psychodynamic psychotherapy
o Experience in offering psychotherapy across cultural and other differences.
oExperience in psychotherapy assessments

Abilities

Essential

oAbility to work effectively within complex multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environments, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
oAbility to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).