Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:Post graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas) and registered with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical/Counselling) Evidence of substantial post-qualification training and expert knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches with an evidence base within the area of specialism and a commitment to ongoing Continuing Professional Development Significant experience working as a qualified specialist practitioner in the profession, including demonstrable post qualification experience at a highly specialist level in the area of specialism Significant and varied experience of working in the NHS Detailed and advanced knowledge of a range of evidence-based assessments and therapeutic interventions within designated clinical area, and the ability to lead the provision of these Able to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position An enhanced DBS check.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We have identified that this is a role where we have underrepresentation of ethnically diverse colleagues. As part of our commitment to inclusion and Unity Against Racism we offer guaranteed interviews to candidates who meet the essential criteria and identify as: Asian or Asian British, Black or Black British, Mixed and Other Ethnic Groups.

We encourage informal approaches and conversations. Please do not hesitate to contact and we will be delighted to help answer any questions you may have. You may contact Dr Rashmi Shankar (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) on 0118 904 3200 or email: rashmi.shankar@berkshire.nhs.uk

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Post graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology (or equivalent for those who trained prior to 1996 or for those who completed their training overseas)
• Accreditation with Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical/Counselling)
• (Eligibility for) Chartered Membership of British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Clinical supervision training for doctorate psychology trainees (BPS Registered course) and other qualified clinicians
• Post qualification specialist training to accreditable level in at least two areas of psychological practice directly related to the clinical requirements of this post. Accreditations to reflect post qualification training (e.g., BABCP, UKCP, ACAT, SRCN).
• Proven ability in teaching and formal training in professional/clinical supervision.

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Evidence of substantial post-qualification training and expert knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches with an evidence base within the area of specialism.
• Commitment to continuing professional development as recommended by the relevant accrediting body.

Previous Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working as a qualified specialist practitioner in the profession, including demonstrable post qualification experience at a highly specialist level in the area of specialism.
• Significant experience of working in evidence-based ways with services users (and their carers/families) presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
• Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics
• Experience of teaching and providing professional and clinical supervision, as well as experience of developing, delivering and leading training programmes.
• Experience of service evaluation and implementing change from a national and local health or social care change agenda that impacts across services and professions.
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity and equality, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism and equality of access to services

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Able to manage a demanding and complex caseload and support colleagues to do so.
• Well-developed skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers, and other professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• Detailed and advanced knowledge of a range of evidence-based assessments and therapeutic interventions within designated clinical area, and the ability to lead the provision of these
• Exceptional interpersonal and highly effective communication skills with the ability to support, engage and lead patients, clinicians and other stakeholder groups in change, development, and improvement.
• Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, and the internet).

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates a consistent ability to sensitively respond to people's needs, particularly with reference to all aspects of diversity.
• Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required
• Able to travel independently between locations to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

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).