South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Highly Specialist Psychologist/Psychological Therapist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are delighted to advertise this 8a post at the National Psychosis Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital. The post holder will support the Consultant Clinical Psychologist to provide an excellent psychological service to the ward. The post holder will have experience supporting psychologists and psychotherapists (including trainees and pre-qualified staff) to work effectively, compassionately and collaboratively. The post holder will deliver evidenced based psychological interventions for people experiencing psychosis and their carers and families. The post holder will support staff to increase the psychological safety on the ward and support compassionate and trauma informed ways of working. Supporting staff on the ward will be in an important aspect of the role.

This post also offers opportunities for research and continuing professional development. The unit enjoys excellent research links with departments at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and the Doctoral Clinical Training Course. The service and Directorate have a long tradition in supporting psychology practitioners in developing clinical expertise in novel and emerging areas of working with psychosis.

Main duties of the job

To provide highly specialist psychological interventions for psychosis (individual, family, and carer) in a ward setting.

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.

To promote service evaluation, audit, and research.

To work as an autonomous professional within registration body guidelines and codes of conduct adhering to local policies.

To facilitate a monthly staff support group, and to participate, as a recipient, in staff support work when appropriate.

To facilitate monthly case formulation and discussion spaces to support psychologically informed care and treatment planning.

To provide a psychological perspective to clinical team discussions for example in ward rounds, CPAs, management rounds, and team discussions.

To contribute to care through treatment planning and discharge planning as required.

To take an active role in the multidisciplinary approach to safe patient care and to take appropriate action in relation to safe guarding concerns within the remit of the role.

  • To contribute to delivering teaching and training to the team.
  • To support the development of an anti-racist and trauma informed culture on the ward.
  • To support staff wellbeing.

About us

We are delighted to advertise this 8a post at the National Psychosis Unit, Bethlem Royal Hospital. The National Psychosis Unit is a clinical-academic tertiary service offering innovative individualised evidence-based multidisciplinary strategies to help those people with complex psychosis, including schizo-affective disorder, where standard treatment guidelines have proven ineffective or have not been tolerated. The service aims to enhance quality of life through tailored treatments and promotion of recovery thus reducing the need for high intensity placements and the risk of readmission. Our specialist service is supported through established partnerships with the Departments of Psychosis Studies and Psychology based within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London. We also liaise with clinical experts within other specialties across King's College London and King's Health Partners. The National Psychosis team is closely linked to the Maudsley Pharmacy and other national specialist mental health services. The service aims to enhance quality of life through collaborative working towards recovery. Benefits include reduction in psychosis, less frequent episodes of illness, improved social functioning, better understanding of psychosis by the patient and carers and enhanced engagement with physical and mental health care plans. The ward currently has 18 beds (separate male and female wings) managed by a multidisciplinary team.

Details

Date posted

19 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£59,490 to £66,239 a year per annum incl. of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-6600402

Job locations

Bethlem Royal Hospital

National Psychosis Unit (NPU), Fitzmary 2 Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

London

BR3 3BX


Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be supervised and managed by Dr Majella Byrne, Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The role will be based at the Bethlem Royal Hospital on the National Psychosis Unit.

Key Responsibilities:

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions for service users with psychosis and other complex co-morbid presentations.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological or psychotherapeutic interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and commissioners, where appropriate, service users and their families.

To select and deliver evidence-based specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a spectrum of ideas and models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family or group.

To promote psychological support for carers (or families as appropriate) of referred clients.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically/psychotherapeutically 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/psychotherapeutic 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.

To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

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 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.

To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by clients or other persons.

To monitor and advise clients on the safe use of materials and processes.

To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines.

To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints.

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 psychological practitioners with support from a more senior practitioner.

To supervise trainee psychological practitioners within own area of specialism having completed the relevant Supervision Training.

To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

To provide supervision for the psychological and/or psychotherapeutic work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychological practitioners, and specialised training 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 psychological therapy and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

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, carry out, and support research as required.

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 psychological therapist according to professional body and Trust guidelines.

To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with professional body and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and professional 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 professional body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/Standards of Proficiency.

KR10 General

To travel to locations across the Trust 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 (such as challenging behaviour, abuse etc) and to support others involved in such situations through Trust-wide approaches including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be supervised and managed by Dr Majella Byrne, Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The role will be based at the Bethlem Royal Hospital on the National Psychosis Unit.

Key Responsibilities:

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations, and interventions for service users with psychosis and other complex co-morbid presentations.

To provide culturally appropriate psychological or psychotherapeutic interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.

To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.

To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and commissioners, where appropriate, service users and their families.

To select and deliver evidence-based specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a spectrum of ideas and models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family or group.

To promote psychological support for carers (or families as appropriate) of referred clients.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychologically/psychotherapeutically 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/psychotherapeutic 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.

To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

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 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.

To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by clients or other persons.

To monitor and advise clients on the safe use of materials and processes.

To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines.

To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints.

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 psychological practitioners with support from a more senior practitioner.

To supervise trainee psychological practitioners within own area of specialism having completed the relevant Supervision Training.

To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate.

To provide supervision for the psychological and/or psychotherapeutic work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychological practitioners, and specialised training 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 psychological therapy and by implementing knowledge gained in practice.

To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

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, carry out, and support research as required.

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 psychological therapist according to professional body and Trust guidelines.

To maintain own Continuing Professional Development in line with professional body and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements and professional 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 professional body Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics/Standards of Proficiency.

KR10 General

To travel to locations across the Trust 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 (such as challenging behaviour, abuse etc) and to support others involved in such situations through Trust-wide approaches including Critical Incident Staff Support and Reflect-Support-Resolve.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
  • Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration.
  • For Psychologists: . 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 as a practitioner psychologist. For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic. For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic. Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP. (A/I) ? For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the UKCP/ACP/BABCP (specify which, according to nature of post) for purposes of professional registration. For Arts Therapists: Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Arts Therapy or Dance Movement Therapy. (or specify Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement Therapy).
  • Training in CBT for Psychosis.
  • Training in Family Interventions in Psychosis.

Desirable

  • Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in the field of psychosis.
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in the context of psychosis.
  • Experience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training.
  • Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.

Desirable

  • Experience of carrying out post-qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects).

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the treatment of psychosis.
  • Advanced knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it's therapeutic application to people with psychosis. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics.
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
  • Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
  • To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, e.g. psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
  • Entry-level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent and demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration.
  • For Psychologists: . 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 as a practitioner psychologist. For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic. For Family / Systemic Psychotherapists: Post-graduate qualification in relevant mental health/social welfare profession and demonstrable practice in this field PLUS Masters level qualification in Family and Systemic. Psychotherapy or equivalent qualification, accredited by UKCP. (A/I) ? For Psychotherapists: Entry-level qualification in Psychotherapy that has been accepted by the UKCP/ACP/BABCP (specify which, according to nature of post) for purposes of professional registration. For Arts Therapists: Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Arts Therapy or Dance Movement Therapy. (or specify Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Dramatherapy or Dance Movement Therapy).
  • Training in CBT for Psychosis.
  • Training in Family Interventions in Psychosis.

Desirable

  • Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited to supervise qualified psychological practitioners in relevant discipline.

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of having worked as a clinical specialist under supervision in the field of psychosis.
  • Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature in the context of psychosis.
  • Experience of supervising assistants and trainees having completed the relevant training.
  • Post-qualification experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.

Desirable

  • Experience of carrying out post-qualification research, audit or service evaluation projects).

Knowledge

Essential

  • Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the treatment of psychosis.
  • Advanced knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and it's therapeutic application to people with psychosis. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics.
  • Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
  • Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care.
  • To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences.

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).

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.

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).

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

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bethlem Royal Hospital

National Psychosis Unit (NPU), Fitzmary 2 Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

London

BR3 3BX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bethlem Royal Hospital

National Psychosis Unit (NPU), Fitzmary 2 Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

London

BR3 3BX


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Dr Majella Byrne

Majella.Byrne@slam.nhs.uk

02032284570

Details

Date posted

19 September 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£59,490 to £66,239 a year per annum incl. of HCAs pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

334-CLI-6600402

Job locations

Bethlem Royal Hospital

National Psychosis Unit (NPU), Fitzmary 2 Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, BR3 3BX

London

BR3 3BX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)