Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Band 8b registered clinical psychologist to work across the City and Hackney EQUIP and Heads Up Teams. EQUIP provides an assertive and responsive service to adults aged 18 - 65 for up to 3 years during their recovery from a first episode of psychosis. The service covers the City of London and London Borough of Hackney. Emphasis is placed on maximising wellbeing and on social, psychological, physical and educational/vocational recovery. The team works to standards set for early intervention in psychosis teams and participates in the annual National Clinical Audit on Psychosis. The team also works closely with the early detection team, HEADS UP, which provides support to those who are at risk of developing psychosis, and actively connects with local community groups in order to improve detection rates of this group.
This post would be suitable for someone with significant experience, a strong interest in psychosis and early intervention and a collaborative approach to leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of psychology across EQUIP and Heads Up. They will also work closely with the operational lead and consultant psychiatrists as a member of the senior management team.
Main duties of the job
The principal psychologist role provides leadership to and management of the psychology staff within the service, as well as contributing to the senior management team within the service. The post holder will work alongside clinical and/or counselling psychologists already in post to support individuals who are experiencing or at risk of developing first episode psychosis and their families/carers.
The post holder will supervise and line manage the psychological professions in the team and lead on other aspects of governance required to deliver an effective service.
Whilst there may be opportunities for a small caseload as well as supporting the team with complex assessments and psychological consultations, the main focus of the role is on the team's provision of effective and timely psychological interventions in accordance with NICE guidelines for Early Intervention in Psychosis, and ensuring that the psychological professionals are suitably led and supported towards that aim.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide and/or coordinate clinical & managerial supervision for the psychologists in EQUIP and Heads Up (henceforth referred to as the teams), placing the service user at the centre of service planning and delivery
Ensure that staffing provision within the psychological profession is in line with service need and the established budget and to develop relevant and meaningful job plans for that group
Lead on recruitment processes for psychological professionals
Oversee the effective administration of the waiting list, including allocation of work to specific team members
Oversee and lead on the development of psychology provision for first episode psychosis in EQUIP and Heads Up in line with national guidance and other early intervention services across East London
Provide specialist assessment and formulation of service users with complex presentations
Potentially provide specialist evidence-based intervention to service users, including CBT for psychosis and Family Intervention
Offer psychotherapeutic insights, consultation, supervision and teaching to team members as appropriate
Participate as an active member of the EQUIP and Heads Up senior leadership team in regards to service development, evaluation and research
Represent EQUIP and Heads Up psychology in Psychological Professionals Leadership meetings, both within City and Hackney as well as trust wide in East London
Leading on innovation in the team with regards to developing care pathways that best meet the needs of the service users in collaboration with users, carers, other statutory and voluntary sector organisations
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide and/or coordinate clinical & managerial supervision for the psychologists in EQUIP and Heads Up (henceforth referred to as the teams), placing the service user at the centre of service planning and delivery
Ensure that staffing provision within the psychological profession is in line with service need and the established budget and to develop relevant and meaningful job plans for that group
Lead on recruitment processes for psychological professionals
Oversee the effective administration of the waiting list, including allocation of work to specific team members
Oversee and lead on the development of psychology provision for first episode psychosis in EQUIP and Heads Up in line with national guidance and other early intervention services across East London
Provide specialist assessment and formulation of service users with complex presentations
Potentially provide specialist evidence-based intervention to service users, including CBT for psychosis and Family Intervention
Offer psychotherapeutic insights, consultation, supervision and teaching to team members as appropriate
Participate as an active member of the EQUIP and Heads Up senior leadership team in regards to service development, evaluation and research
Represent EQUIP and Heads Up psychology in Psychological Professionals Leadership meetings, both within City and Hackney as well as trust wide in East London
Leading on innovation in the team with regards to developing care pathways that best meet the needs of the service users in collaboration with users, carers, other statutory and voluntary sector organisations
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
- HCPC registration
- Clinical Supervision Training
- Trained in Behavioural Family Therapy/other family interventions
Desirable
- Management Training
- Other relevant specialist training or qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist in a community mental health setting
- Substantial experience of providing CBTp in a community setting
- Work within at least 2 therapy modalities
- Research experience
- Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care
- Experience of developing and delivering specialist training programmes
- Experience of supervising professional and clinical practice of qualified and unqualified staff
- Identification of need and development of services to meet need
- Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts
Desirable
- Management skills
- Experience of working in an early intervention service with first episode psychosis
- Experience in systemic interventions/working with families
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work creatively, co-operatively, reliably and consistently as an independent practitioner, as a mentor and supervisor, and in multi-disciplinary and team settings
- Competent in use of keyboard skills and basic IT packages - word processing, excel, e-mail and internet, powerpoint
- Ability to provide a culturally-competent and non-stigmatising service including an awareness of the potential impact of discrimination and disadvantage on mental health
Aptitude/Values
Essential
- Enthusiasm for a broad range of psychological phenomena, and an interest in models of service delivery
- Able to manage effectively frequent exposure to highly distressing/highly emotional circumstances and exposure to traumatic circumstances
- Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals
- Able to articulate the value added by psychological interventions within the context of multi-disciplinary mental health services, while showing respect for the expertise of others
- Must be capable of accountability for own work, of autonomous clinical practice, of being guided by precedent and of working towards defined results
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
- HCPC registration
- Clinical Supervision Training
- Trained in Behavioural Family Therapy/other family interventions
Desirable
- Management Training
- Other relevant specialist training or qualifications
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience of working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist in a community mental health setting
- Substantial experience of providing CBTp in a community setting
- Work within at least 2 therapy modalities
- Research experience
- Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care
- Experience of developing and delivering specialist training programmes
- Experience of supervising professional and clinical practice of qualified and unqualified staff
- Identification of need and development of services to meet need
- Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts
Desirable
- Management skills
- Experience of working in an early intervention service with first episode psychosis
- Experience in systemic interventions/working with families
Skills
Essential
- Ability to work creatively, co-operatively, reliably and consistently as an independent practitioner, as a mentor and supervisor, and in multi-disciplinary and team settings
- Competent in use of keyboard skills and basic IT packages - word processing, excel, e-mail and internet, powerpoint
- Ability to provide a culturally-competent and non-stigmatising service including an awareness of the potential impact of discrimination and disadvantage on mental health
Aptitude/Values
Essential
- Enthusiasm for a broad range of psychological phenomena, and an interest in models of service delivery
- Able to manage effectively frequent exposure to highly distressing/highly emotional circumstances and exposure to traumatic circumstances
- Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals
- Able to articulate the value added by psychological interventions within the context of multi-disciplinary mental health services, while showing respect for the expertise of others
- Must be capable of accountability for own work, of autonomous clinical practice, of being guided by precedent and of working towards defined results
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).
