Clinical/Counselling/Forensic Psychologist

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. CLINICAL

DIRECT

1.1 To provide specialist psychological assessments of inpatients and outpatients referred to the forensic service, based on the appropriate analysis, interpretation and integration of complex qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources. Methods used will include selecting, administering, scoring and interpreting appropriate standardised psychometric assessments; using self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with patients and/or others involved in their care as appropriate, and collating and interpreting historical and developmental data.

1.2 Drawing on a broad theoretical knowledge of psychology, and on an appropriate conceptual formulation of the patients problems, including taking into account theoretical and therapeutic models, historical, developmental and cultural processes and systems which have shaped the individual, family or group, to consider and evaluate different treatment options, and formulate and implement plans for the specialist psychological treatment and/or management of patients mental health and related problems, employing methods based on evidence of proven efficacy, adapted where necessary to meet the needs of the individual. To adjust and refine psychological formulations as practice and experience demand.

1.3 Implement a range of specialist psychological interventions for individual patients and groups, and where appropriate for carers within and across teams within the forensic service, co-working with psychologist and non-psychologist colleagues as appropriate.

1.4 In the course of carrying out assessments, providing treatments, and communicating findings, responsible for providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive, distressing and emotional information in relation to mental health and forensic issues, such as traumatic life history information, or details of serious violent and sexual offending, or providing risk assessments, clinical formulations or other information where there may be barriers to acceptance or understanding.

1.5 Responsible for communicating across language and cultural barriers with patients or carers, using interpreters when necessary.

1.6 Responsible for communicating complex clinical information, such as psychological assessment, formulation, progress/outcome of treatment, or risk assessment, in a skilled and sensitive manner to a variety of recipients including patients, carers, other professionals, formal panels, statutory and voluntary organisations, in a format appropriate to the recipient, verbally, in writing, or electronically.

1.7 Spend sustained amounts of time with patients or carers who may be verbally or physically aggressive and hostile, who may have poor communication and/or self-care skills and special physical and/or mental needs

1.8 Exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment, discharge or onward referral of outpatients, whose problems are managed by psychologically-based standard care plans

1.9 At the post holders discretion, to provide, at the request of an appropriate agency, a report to court on any patient in the post holders current or past case load

1.10 To incorporate risk assessment and management into all aspects of clinical work; to comply with security policies and procedures; to notify management of breaches in security and to make suggestions for improving security; to undertake breakaway training

INDIRECT

1.11 To provide specialist psychological advice, supervision and consultation to members of the multidisciplinary team and others contributing directly to the formulation of patients care plans, including advice on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management, across inpatient and community settings

1.12 To clinically supervise the work of assistant psychologists, and as appropriate, to contribute to the supervision of individual cases for trainee clinical, counselling and forensic psychologists

1.13 Draw on a broad theoretical knowledge of psychology and specialist clinical or counselling psychology skills to develop and support the psychological skills of assistant psychologists, and other non-psychology staff through developing and delivering teaching, training, reflective practice and supervision

1.14 Provide a psychological perspective and a specialist psychologically-based framework for understanding clinical care, service/team dynamics, or service/team organisational systems in various teams and groups of which the psychologist is a member, to benefit the patients served by the service/team

1.15 Develop and maintain knowledge of local resources and relationships with relevant statutory, voluntary and community groups and organisations

1.16 To advise supervisor and psychology manager of areas of need within own area

1.17 Develop and maintain the highest professional standards of practice by continuing to gain additional post-qualification experience and skills; by participating in regular clinical and professional supervision and appraisal; by active participation in internal and external CPD activities; and by updating knowledge of current developments in psychology and related disciplines relevant to the practice of forensic psychology, through a personal development plan agreed with psychology management. To exercise professional self governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the Health Professionals Council and Trust policies and procedures

1.18 Develop skills in the area of professional post-graduate teaching, training and supervision

1.19 Develop and maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to forensic and general mental health services and the criminal justice system

1.20 Develop, maintain and use knowledge and understanding of the work and approaches of other key disciplines, professions and agencies involved in the care and management network, including knowledge of medication and physical health issues, education, vocational training, employment, and social care systems.

1.21 Maintain the highest standards of clinical record-keeping including electronic data-entry and recording, report writing, and dissemination of relevant information appropriately to other professionals. To monitor, record and report on clinical and other activities as required. To protect confidentiality in compliance with professional and Trust policies and procedures

1.22 Has personal duty of care for the use and protection of restricted psychology equipment and test materials

2 POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

2.1 To implement Trust and Forensic Directorate policies and procedures

2.2 Responsible for organising own day to day activities, and planning and prioritising own clinical workload

2.3 Responsible for managing own waiting lists and patterns of patient attendance in consultation with line management

2.4 Develop professional skills in research, service evaluation, outcome measures and audit, and contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the services and psychology departments operational policies and procedures

2.5 Identify and propose changes to work practices and procedures in own area of work, and contribute to discussions relating to psychology service and forensic service issues

3 HUMAN RESOURCES

3.1 Provide professional and clinical supervision of assistant psychologists

3.2 Co-ordinate the workloads of assistant psychologists within the framework of the departments policies and procedures

3.3 To undertake as appropriate, shortlisting and interviewing of assistant psychologists

3.4 Plan and deliver training programmes to enhance psychological knowledge and skills of psychology and non-psychology staff as required

4 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

4.1 Maintain and update research skills and knowledge

4.2 Utilise theory, literature on evidence based practice and research to support evidence-based practice in own work and work with other members of the team or department

4.3 Undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to other staff undertaking research

4.4 Organise and supervise research undertaken by assistant psychologists where appropriate

4.5 Develop and implement clinical audit, survey projects and service evaluation within agreed department and service objectives

5 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

5.1 Record and report personally generated audit and research information, and data relating to own clinical and non-clinical activity.

5.2 Enter clinical and audit/research information as required into local and Trust information systems

5.3 Receive and send emails, and use the internet to access information relevant to professional practice and research

5.4 Prepare teaching materials and presentations to a professional level

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychology, or equivalent qualification such as Statement of Equivalence, leading to eligibility for Chartered status, or Depending on training needs, may hold a professional qualification in psychology and be undertaking further training to complete requirements for a Statement of Equivalence

Experience

Essential

• Experience of providing specialist psychological assessments and treatment interventions to patients with complex problems
• Experience of working with a variety of patients reflecting a wide range of clinical severity

Desirable

• Experience of working in a range of care settings, including outpatient, inpatient and community
• Experience of teaching, training, and/or supervision

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management, including the use of theoretical models to analyse information and develop formulations upon which to base choice of treatment
• Skills in delivering psychological interventions in individual and/or group formats, adapted to meet the needs of the individual or group
• Skills in effective oral and written communication of complex and/or clinically sensitive information to a wide range of recipients both within and outside the NHS, including the ability to produce letters, reports, and associated documentation appropriate to its readership, and to overcome barriers to understanding and acceptance

Desirable

• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult-to-treat groups (complex needs, personality disorder, dual diagnosis, substance misuse, offending)

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

East London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Howard Centre

12 Kenworthy Road

London

E9 5TD

Employer's website

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