Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION
SECTION 1 JOB DETAILS
Title: Clinical Psychologist
Grade equivalent: Band 7
Location/Base: Home working and community
SECTION 2 JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will have their working base at home and will provide neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation services to clients in the clients own homes or at a designated clinic room. The post holder will work in an interservice context across several systems including the patient and family, case managers, legal services, allied health professionals both within and external to Totus, and with statutory services. The post holder will be supported by the Totus Neurorehabilitation Ltd Directors, and supervised by a senior Clinical Neuropsychologist.
SECTION 3 KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Academic and Professional Qualifications
The post holder is required to have demonstrated a very high level of academic success in psychology to Doctoral level equivalent.
The post holder must be registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council. A recognised postgraduate qualification in clinical psychology is required. If the post holder has not already obtained the BPS Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology, then he or she should be willing to commence a programme of study in order to become eligible.
The post holder must undertake the mandatory Continuing Professional Development hours specified by the BPS/HCPC, and must seek and obtain supervision from senior professional colleagues, in order to maintain advanced specialist skills.
Clinical Experience
Neuropsychology placement experience within the context of Clinical Psychology training, or equivalent, is essential.
Experience in assessment of patients with neurological conditions is essential.
Experience of delivering therapeutic interventions applicable to medical conditions is essential.
Experience of working in an acute health service or community healthcare is desirable.
A Masters or Diploma in Applied Clinical Neuropsychology is desirable.
SECTION 4 SKILLS REQUIRED
Clinical Skills
Up to date knowledge of all relevant legislation and standards of practice.
The post holder must possess advanced analytical and judgemental skills that will necessarily be applied in the interpretation of highly complex cognitive assessment data for all assessments, thus allowing them to make appropriate diagnostic and prognostic decisions as supported in Supervision with a senior psychologist.
General psychological clinical skills applicable to the assessment of adults, developing and maintaining rapport with emotionally, behaviourally and intellectually challenged individuals, motivating patients over long periods, and interacting with and understanding families who may be under acute or chronic stress are essential.
Ability to apply neurorehabilitation strategies across a range of complex neurological symptoms within the context of a biopsychosocial formulation. Working with both patients and their families and support systems, including paid carers.
Ability to apply psychological therapy models and skills to patients with neurological conditions, and adjust therapy skills as necessary to accommodate for cognitive impairment.
The capacity to summarise and interpret highly complex and sensitive data and write concise, accurate and readily understood reports that communicate the findings of the neuropsychological assessment is essential, and will be supported in supervision with a senior psychologist.
Have an understanding of the litigation process in personal injury claims and clinical negligence, the key stakeholders in this process, and the clinical role within this system.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Ability to communicate complex formulations and rehabilitation plans (as reviewed by the supervising psychologist) to the patients wider system including care teams, therapists, solicitors, social care teams, and insurers.
Ability to manage safeguarding concerns making plans to safeguard and liaising as required with appropriate services, seeking appropriate supervision from a senior psychologist for complex issues.
Communication Skills
Skills in communicating sensitive and distressing information to patients and families are required.
The capacity to summarise and interpret highly complex and sensitive data and write concise, accurate and readily understood reports that communicate the findings of the neuropsychological assessment is essential.
IT skills to use (at least) internet, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Outlook, and library / literature search engines, and cloud based software.
Planning Skills
Capacity to work under changing and pressurised clinical timetables and to be organised in their management of their clinical work.
SECTION 5 MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
Ensure all practice complies with professional guidelines.
Provide comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of patients to assist the MDT in diagnosis, problem formulation and the planning of therapeutic intervention.
Provide comprehensive cognitive assessments and reports, interpreting data under supervision from a senior psychologist.
Provide evidence-based psychological treatments, e.g., cognitive remediation, mood management, and anger management.
Design and implement individual behaviour modification programmes and positive behavioural support (PBS) plans.
Provide the psychology service as part of MDT and be involved with MDT service developments.
Support and educate families and carers about acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions, providing training to staff teams and outside agencies.
Attend and participate in all relevant meetings, e.g., departmental meetings, patient reviews and discharge meetings.
Maintain records and clinical notes in line with Totus policy and professional guidelines.
Provide relevant reports as required, accurately and in a timely fashion, e.g., assessment, case review and discharge reports.
Ensure effective and timely communication at all levels (with patients, families, team and external agencies).
Assist the Totus Neurorehabilitation Ltd Directors in supporting delivery of education and training to psychologists and other professionals when requested, assisting with learning for junior colleagues and assistants.
Take responsibility for own professional and personal development in line with BPS and HCPC guidelines, including participating in yearly appraisals, attending all relevant training and clinical supervision.
Comply with all Totus Neurorehabilitation Ltd policies and procedures, including Health & Safety and Fire Safety, etc. and undertake relevant mandatory training.
The post holder will ensure that service policies are implemented and may raise suggestions for improvement to senior staff as they arise.
The post holder will liaise directly with colleagues within the Totus and external agencies regarding the neuropsychological issues and management of patients referred, to include medical colleagues, nursing colleagues, therapists, social services, other government agencies, employers/educational establishments, solicitors, care teams, case managers, and insurers as relevant.
The post holder will frequently come into contact with vulnerable adults and at times child protection issues may be raised. The post holder will conform to Totus and professional guidelines and follow best principles, often taking the lead on these issues on behalf of the Totus MDT following supervision with a senior psychologist.
The post holder is responsible for planning and prioritising their own clinical caseload in consultation with senior colleagues within Totus Neurorehabilitation Ltd.
The post holder is responsible for confidential data stored at home and complying with guidelines issued by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
The post holder is responsible for identifying needs and problems within the service provision, communicating these to the Directors and contributing to the resolution of these issues as well as to service development plans more broadly.
The post holder will support audit and service evaluation activities as directed, and may occasionally present information of interest (including case studies) to the Neuroscience community, both locally and further afield, and shall thereby assist in the promotion of the Totus Neurorehabilitation Ltd.
SECTION 6 WORKING CONDITIONS/ EFFORT
The post holder will work primarily from home, but will be required to visit patients homes to conduct assessment and interventions. Clinic rooms may also be utilised as appropriate.
The post holder will be required to drive for up to 1.5 hours at a time, and often up to 4 hours in a day.
There is a frequent requirement for VDU and computer use, of varying times depending on the demands on the service.
The post holder is required to concentrate intensely for prolonged periods during individual assessment and family interviews, sometimes with challenging and emotional individuals on a one-to-one basis.
There may be some patients requiring assessment who are confused and agitated, potentially aggressive.
Precise manual dexterity is required in order to appropriately fluently manipulate test materials in conducting an assessment
