We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated psychologist to work in our Adult Community Mental Health Team in Leighton Buzzard. The vacancy is for a 0.5 wte position. There are opportunities to combine this with other 0.5 wte psychological therapist roles in our area so we would welcome applicants seeking both full time and part time employment. We also invite applications from newly-qualified psychologists who have relevant experience in working age CMHTs and applications from people who have a postgraduate level training in a recognised model of psychological therapy and relevant clinical experience. Newly/early qualified psychologists could be appointed at band 7 under a preceptorship to work towards requirements for band 8a, subject to satisfactory completion of preceptorship process.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will join a senior Psychologist, another Highly Specialist Psychologist, trainee therapists, CAPs and Assistant Psychologists, as well as therapists within other specialist teams. They will provide specialist evidence-based psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for people with a range of complex mental health needs, including individual, couple/family and group interventions. They will possess an enthusiasm for multidisciplinary team working and the skills to help steer the team to psychological understanding of their clients and the development of psychologically informed services. The team values the role of Psychologists highly and, as such, the role is multifaceted and includes consultation, teaching, and supervision roles, as well as active involvement in quality improvement projects, staff support initiatives and wider Trust initiatives. We are therefore looking for someone with good knowledge and skills within these domains, and someone who is ready to join an innovative and efficient service. The post-holder will play a central role in the delivery of the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills group programme and trauma pathway which is integral to team working (relevant training will be available if required).

About us

You will be joining at a time of transition to blended primary/secondary care mental health services as we undertake a transformation of our local services in line with national guidance. This means there are opportunities to work alongside Trust colleagues, service users and VCSE organisations in work streams to shape the future of psychologically-informed mental health care in Central Bedfordshire Primary Care Networks.

Job description Job responsibilities

As a member of the Bedfordshire and Luton psychological therapies workforce, the post holder would join the regular psychology meetings which focus on Clinical Governance and peer-led Continual Professional Development (CPD). The Psychologists in our area are trained in a variety of therapy models so there is opportunity to share knowledge and access consultation across models.

Our services in Luton and Bedfordshire have been undergoing significant transformation since East London Foundation Trust became the provider in April 2015. The Trust was rated as 'Outstanding' by the CQC in 2016, and boasts a nationally and internationally recognised Quality Improvement programme with which psychology works closely. We would particularly welcome people who have a strong interest in creative and innovative service improvement. As a large Trust across Bedfordshire, Luton and East London we also have teaching, training and research links with a number of universities (Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, UEL and UCL).

Please contact Sam Vaughan on 07775 603008 if you would like to discuss this opportunity in more detail.

Person Specification Education/Qualification Essential

• Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology or equivalence and able to demonstrate eligibility for BPS CPsychol (Chartered Psychologist) . HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Postgraduate level training in a recognised model of psychological therapy (e.g. CBT, CAT) and demonstrated eligibility for accreditation as a practitioner/therapist with the relevant accrediting body (e.g. BABCP/ACAT).

Desirable

• Further training or qualifications in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice.
• Quality Improvement Training.
• Clinical supervision training for doctoral psychology trainees.

Experience Essential

• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of care settings, including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the treat of physical abuse.
• Experience of providing teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision.
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary settings and representing a psychological perspective in teams and services.

Desirable

• Experience of professional management of qualified and pre-qualified clinical psychologists.
• Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
• Experience in the recruitment of psychology staff.
• Experience in contributing to service development, redesign and improvements in secondary mental health services

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

363-LUT11191