We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic clinical/counselling psychologist specialising in working with older people and wanting to develop their clinical, supervisory and leadership skills within our community teams and inpatient setting. Applicants who do not currently meet all the essential criteria for the Band 8a role are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Annex 21. This is an excellent opportunity for a newly or recently qualified psychologist looking for career development in Older Adult Services.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work with the Older Adult Community Mental Health teams and Memory Assessment service in North Powys with support from an Assistant Psychologist. Input will also be provided to one older adult inpatient ward. The role involves provision of Highly specialised psychological assessment, formulation, and evidence-based therapies to older people and families. The role also involves specialist psychological consultation and clinical supervision to colleagues to support them to develop their knowledge and skills in assessment, formulation, and evidence-based treatment.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Being the smallest Heath Board in Wales means that you won't get lost in the crowd. Everybody at Powys Teaching Health Board is valued for the contribution they make to our varied and diverse portfolio of community-based services. Together, we can continue to make a real difference to our patients and build on our unrivalled reputation.

As a supportive and progressive employer, we actively encourage you to carve out a career with us, through a range of development pathways. We're also lucky enough to be situated in one of the most beautiful rural counties in Britain, let alone Wales! Achieving a healthy 'life work' balance is essential, and something we recognise by prioritising your well-being.

To start your journey with us, and to learn more about what we can offer you please visit: https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/. There you will find information about our benefits and values, read staff experiences and more about what our beautiful county has to offer.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting time to be joining our Older Adult Clinical Psychology Services. With new service developments this post offers opportunities to play a key role in shaping older adult psychology services in Powys.

Within the department new service initiatives are being developed and there are many opportunities to be involved in research and service development. The department consists of a small, friendly, and supportive team of colleagues with regular ongoing peer support and supervision. We have strong links with the South and North clinical psychology training programmes, and there are opportunities to offer trainee placements.

There are excellent opportunities for professional development, and we are interested in candidates who are willing to undertake further professional training in evidence based psychological therapies such as CAT, EMDR, ACT and systemic/family therapy as the service is keen to expand our provision of specialist psychological assessment and interventions to older people.

Flexible working arrangements and job share/ part time hours will be considered. A relocation package is also available.

The ability to travel is essential as clinics are offered in various locations.

For further details please contact:

Rachel Hughes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Email: Rachel.Hughes89464@wales.nhs.uk. Tel: 07867 187701

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology (or its equivalent) as accredited by the British Psychological Society Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration Knowledge of: - Ethical and professional frameworks required for best and safe clinical practice. Relevant legislation, key publications and the local and national agendas regarding older people, and implications for both clinical practice and professional management Theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for a broad range of complex difficulties (e.g. depression, trauma, dementia, and psychological aspects of physical health problems) Specialist psychological knowledge for working with older people with mental and/or physical health problems and for working with their carers. This knowledge should be at an advanced theoretical and practical level, covering at least the following areas: - Psychometric tests and Neuropsychological assessment Psychosocial assessment
• Psychological formulation of complex client needs and systems. Intervention approaches at individual, system and organisational levels to lessen the impact of psychological distress and improve quality of life Dementia and differential diagnosis Loss, grief & bereavement Risk assessment and management Abuse and neglect Cognitive functioning Adaptive behaviour Emotional problems Ability to provide a psychological perspective on multi-disciplinary care and goal planning. Ability to identify and respond positively to issues of power, diversity and disability. Able to use supervision appropriately to agree and review goals.
• Experience of providing psychological services to older people in primary or secondary mental health settings Experience of neuropsychological assessment, formulation, and rehabilitation planning Experience of working with complex cases engaging and working with complex systems functioning in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems Experience of applied clinical research and service evaluation.
• Experience of working in Clinical Psychology services in the NHS and familiarity with the professional practice of Clinical/Counselling Psychology as specified by the DCP/BPS guidelines
• Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, highly complex and sensitive information in a highly skilled and effective manner appropriate to a range of abilities, settings, and audiences - including people with significant cognitive impairment and/or communication difficulties Teaching/training skills and ability to utilize a range of presentation methods within public, professional and academic settings. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development as required by the British Psychological Society

Desirable

• Experience of autonomous working and strategically defining and developing a professional role Service and policy development experience Participation in planning for service user involvement Teaching and training across a range of ability levels Providing clinical supervision

Skills

Essential

• Ability to analyse, integrate, interpret and manage highly complex and sensitive information from a range of sources for the purpose of lessening the impact of psychological distress and challenging behaviour. Ability to plan, organise and manage a wide variety of competing demands and diversity of needs. Ability to sustain intense concentration levels for lengthy periods on a frequent basis in a range of contexts - including assessment and intervention work with individuals and groups, scoring, and analysing psychometric tests and other psychological data, facilitating and/or participating in key meetings. Ability to travel and undertake work throughout Powys to work in different office settings to carry and transport boxes and cases of psychometric tests to manipulate test items with speed and accuracy and to undertake simultaneous activities (like moving test items, working a stopwatch, and recording results) Highly skilled at collaborative working and providing consultation to other professional and nonprofessional groups

Employer details

Employer name

Powys Teaching Health Board

Address

Older Adult Clinical Psychology Department

The Park Offices, Park Street

Newtown

SY16 1EG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

070-PST009-0324-C