Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced consultant psychologist, or someone aspiring to work at this level, within older people's services in East Sussex. The role is on a fixed-term contract basis to cover the leadership gap when the current post holder is training to become an Approved Clinician. We would also consider a secondment arrangement for internal applicants. Funding is in place until February 2028.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will combine professional and clinical leadership for older adult psychological professionals in East Sussex, alongside direct patient care. The clinical aspect of the role will be based on St Raphael, the inpatient ward for older people at Conquest Hospital, Hastings, as well as providing a day into the Wealden older adult community team based at Uckfield.
About us
Specialist Older Adult Mental Health Services (SOAMHS) are part of adult mental health provision but work in separate teams providing a broad range of interventions for older people and people with dementia. As such there is a strong emphasis on the importance of taking a specialist older adult informed perspective and our multidisciplinary teams reflect this.
Within East Sussex we have many psychologists, psychological therapists, trainees (psychologists and therapists), assistants and mental health and wellbeing practitioners. There are multiple opportunities to work collaboratively as part of this wider group allowing you to develop your areas of specialist interest, research and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
East Sussex has one of the largest populations of older people in the UK and we strive to provide an innovative and excellent mental health service. We are committed to being part of East Sussex's community transformation programme to ensure that 'older adults' are fundamental to all strategic thinking. Moreover, the dementia care pathway has been identified as a specific strategic priority for the East Sussex Mental Health Oversight Board, which includes NHS and partner organisations. As such this represents a great opportunity to support and lead on service development. The successful candidate will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking leadership team. The overall lead for psychological professions for East Sussex is an older adult psychologist and would provide clinical and professional supervision for this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
East Sussex has one of the largest populations of older people in the UK and we strive to provide an innovative and excellent mental health service. We are committed to being part of East Sussex's community transformation programme to ensure that 'older adults' are fundamental to all strategic thinking. Moreover, the dementia care pathway has been identified as a specific strategic priority for the East Sussex Mental Health Oversight Board, which includes NHS and partner organisations. As such this represents a great opportunity to support and lead on service development. The successful candidate will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking leadership team. The overall lead for psychological professions for East Sussex is an older adult psychologist and would provide clinical and professional supervision for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology [or its equivalent for those trained before 1996 or outside the UK] as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
- Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
- Accredited / registered with professional body / regulator as detailed above
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Doctoral level knowledge of applied psychology and psychological therapy including highly developed knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology.
- Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology
- Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological practice
- Assessed extensive experience of working as a qualified or registered Practioner psychologist, Psychotherapist or psychological therapist, including significant post-qualification experience within the Specific Care Group/Service.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the theory and practice of leadership and management in mental health services
- Extensive experience of providing successful clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary mental health provider context
- High level knowledge of national policy frameworks and initiatives and the mental health economy within which the Trust services are provided
- Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological practice
- Experience of the successful professional management of psychotherapists, psychological therapists, Practitoner psychologists and other psychological professionals
- Experience of successfully representing the psychological professions and/or services in local or regional policy forums, across services or at equivalent level
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology [or its equivalent for those trained before 1996 or outside the UK] as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology
- Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology
- Accredited / registered with professional body / regulator as detailed above
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Doctoral level knowledge of applied psychology and psychological therapy including highly developed knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, models of psychopathology.
- Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology
- Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological practice
- Assessed extensive experience of working as a qualified or registered Practioner psychologist, Psychotherapist or psychological therapist, including significant post-qualification experience within the Specific Care Group/Service.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the theory and practice of leadership and management in mental health services
- Extensive experience of providing successful clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary mental health provider context
- High level knowledge of national policy frameworks and initiatives and the mental health economy within which the Trust services are provided
- Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological practice
- Experience of the successful professional management of psychotherapists, psychological therapists, Practitoner psychologists and other psychological professionals
- Experience of successfully representing the psychological professions and/or services in local or regional policy forums, across services or at equivalent level
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).
