Are you a compassionate and highly skilled Psychologist looking for a new opportunity?

We are seeking to appoint a Clinical Psychologist to our Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT).

You'll be an integral part of the management team providing clinical leadership and expertise in order to provide high quality, psychologically informed and risk managed care for a cohort of patients with complex forensic mental health needs.

The role involves providing psychological assessment, formulation and intervention to complex and challenging clients within the service.

Many of the patients admitted to an SCFT caseload will return to the community under restricted sections of the mental health act and will require intensive MDT support both pre and post discharge.

There will be significant opportunities to contribute to staff development and wellbeing, training and supervision.

We would consider applications from newly qualified Psychologists to be appointed as a Band 7 and transition to a Band 8a in due course.

Main duties of the job

On a day to day basis you'll provide specialist risk assessments utilising structured professional judgement tools (e.g. HCR-20) and deliver clinical interventions for the SCFT clinical caseload. You'll help support colleagues with a forensically minded psychological approach to care planning and risk management.

You'll contribute towards the development of the service and provide supervision for the wider MDT.

Our Trust is looking to build our research capacity and you would be welcome to be part of this.

The Forensic service consists of

*The SCFT who gatekeep/ avoid admission to secure care and who keywork patients within the team

*Forensic Link Workers who provide forensic advice and support to community mental health services and non secure inpatient settings

*A Liaison and Diversion Service within police Custody, locally named ASCC (Advice and Support in Custody and Court)

*An Offender Personality disorder (OPD) Pathway in conjunction with probation services

*Ash Ward which is a 12 bedded Male, a low secure inpatient ward that is part of the South West Provider Collaborative

About us

As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!

Job description

Job responsibilities

See detailed job description for full description of responsibilities.

Should you have any queries in relation to the job description or main responsibilities, then please do contact Samuel Mellor.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Doctoral Clinical or Forensic Psychology or equivalentRegistered with HCPC as a Practitioner PsychologistSignificant experience of working with people with long term mental health problemsRelevant specialist CPD training in psychological therapy with long term mental health problems

Experience

Essential

• Clinical work with people with long term mental health problemsCompetence in core psychological assessment formulation and skills intervention skillsExperience of working with people with a diagnosis of personality disorderExperience of teaching and training psychology to staff and other professionalsExperience of working in a multi-professional/ multi- agency setting

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.Compassionate -- exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic.Ability to undertake appropriate PMVA training at the level required for this post.Able to travel to locations around the SWPC region as required. Driving licence and access to a vehicle

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broadway House

Broadway Park

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 5LX

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

184-OL-GR-791