Job summary
We are seeking a part-time Clinical Psychologist (Band 7) to work as a Trial Therapist on an ambitious project to evaluate a novel form of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) for young children aged 3-8 years old.
A major part of the role is delivery of face-to-face TF-CBT to children and families as part of the trial, for which specialist training and supervision will be provided. The role will also include managing recruitment to the trial at the South London site; managing pre- post- and follow-up data collection; and close liaison with the project manager and chief investigator based in Cambridge.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an innovative project in a fast-growing area. The post would suit a post-doctoral clinically qualified clinical psychologist who has skills and experience in working with young children and their families.
Main duties of the job
This post is funded by a grant from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) scheme. The grant is to run a two-arm randomised controlled efficacy trial comparing TF-CBT to Care-As-Usual for young children with a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The trial will recruit from three sites (London, Cambridge, Norwich). The Chief Investigator is Prof Tim Dalgleish at the University of Cambridge. A project manager / trial therapist and an assistant psychologist will be based in Cambridge.
For this post, the postholder will be the trial therapist at the London site, responsible for delivering Trauma-Focused CBT to young children and families who are recruited in London. Specialist clinical training and ongoing clinical supervision throughout the trial will be provided by members of the research team.
In addition to the major role as trial therapist, the post holder will also lead on recruitment locally, take responsibility for managing assessments and ensuring data completeness, and will liaise closely with the project manager and other members of the research team.
Skills and experience in working clinically with young children and families will be required, and experience of working with children with PTSD would be beneficial. Previous experience of working on research trials would be helpful but is not a requirement.
About us
This is an opportunity to join a friendly and supportive clinical-research team who have many years' experience working collaboratively on trauma-related research. The project lead is Prof Tim Dalgleish (Cambridge). The site lead at the University of East Anglia is Prof Richard Meiser-Stedman. The site lead in London is Prof Patrick Smith.
The postholder will join the Trauma Anxiety and Depression (TAD) Clinic, a national and specialist Tier 4 outpatient clinic, currently based at the Michael Rutter Centre on the Maudsley Hospital site in Camberwell. In 2025, we will move to a new state of the art building, the Pears Maudsley Building on the same site.
Our Trust headquarters is located at Denmark Hill Camberwell, less than 5 minutes from the train station (zone 2) and is within walking distance from the beautiful green spaces of Ruskin Park and the vibrant high-street that offers great shopping opportunities and with a wide range of restaurants.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The main core job functions and responsibilities are:
To provide Trauma-Focused CBT to young children (3-8 years old) as part of an NIHR-funded clinical trial.
To manage recruitment to the trial at the London site
To ensure that assessments are conducted and all data stored in line with project procedures and approvals
To carry out some baseline assessments
To liaise closely with the project manager and members of the project team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The main core job functions and responsibilities are:
To provide Trauma-Focused CBT to young children (3-8 years old) as part of an NIHR-funded clinical trial.
To manage recruitment to the trial at the London site
To ensure that assessments are conducted and all data stored in line with project procedures and approvals
To carry out some baseline assessments
To liaise closely with the project manager and members of the project team.
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.
- Professional Doctorate in Clinical psychology or equivalent (A/I)
- Registered with HCPC
Desirable
- Recognised post-qualification training in CBT.
- BABCP practitioner accreditation
Experience
Essential
- Experience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs. (A/I)
- Experience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature (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)
- Significant post-qualification/graduation experience including experience of individual and group therapy with people with complex mental health needs.
- Experience of working with children and young people
Desirable
- Experience of delivering TF-CBT to children or young people
Knowledge
Essential
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for CBT and TF-CBT (A/I/R)
- Knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and its therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities. (A/I/R)
- Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
- To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)
Skills
Essential
- 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. (A/I/R)
- To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
- To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
- To plan allocation of tasks to assistants/trainees as appropriates. (A/I/R)
- Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. (A/I/R)
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate. (A/I/R)
- Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings (A/I/R)
- 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. (A/I)
- Ability 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. (A/I)
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.
- Professional Doctorate in Clinical psychology or equivalent (A/I)
- Registered with HCPC
Desirable
- Recognised post-qualification training in CBT.
- BABCP practitioner accreditation
Experience
Essential
- Experience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs. (A/I)
- Experience of assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature (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)
- Significant post-qualification/graduation experience including experience of individual and group therapy with people with complex mental health needs.
- Experience of working with children and young people
Desirable
- Experience of delivering TF-CBT to children or young people
Knowledge
Essential
- Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for CBT and TF-CBT (A/I/R)
- Knowledge of the theory of psychological therapy and its therapeutic application. Associated awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics. (A/I/R)
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities. (A/I/R)
- Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care. (A/I/R)
- To deliver psychological/psychotherapeutic therapy across cultural and other differences. (A/I/R)
Skills
Essential
- 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. (A/I/R)
- To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
- To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers (and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews where appropriate).
- To plan allocation of tasks to assistants/trainees as appropriates. (A/I/R)
- Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data. (A/I/R)
Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles. (A/I/R)
- Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate. (A/I/R)
- Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings (A/I/R)
- 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. (A/I)
- Ability 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. (A/I)
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).
