An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and innovative Band 7 'Specialist Applied Psychologist' to join the Darlington Older Adult Community Mental Health Team, based at West Park Hospital in Darlington. The successful candidate will join a supportive and collaborative multi-disciplinary team, delivering psychological therapies for older adults, families and carers, alongside neuropsychological assessment as part of a memory clinic. You will be working alongside an experienced Band 8a Applied Psychologist. Clinically, you will be helping to improve the quality of life for older adults with mental health difficulties, patients with dementia and behaviours that challenge. The role of psychologist is key to the provision of high-quality care for patients, carers and families, and the post holder will be a valued member of the team with a clear role within the collective leadership structure. Applied Psychology is highly valued within the Trust with good professional support.

This post is offered on a permanent basis and. We welcome applications from existing Band 7 Applied Psychologists and newly qualified Applied Psychologists, and those due to qualify from doctoral training in the next 3-4 months.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide psychological assessments, formulation and therapies with individuals, families and teams. Alongside direct clinical work, providing consultation, training and where required clinical supervision to other team members in relation to service users is an integral part of the role. Working as part of an established memory clinic, the post holder will provide neuropsychological assessment to inform diagnosis, alongside post-diagnostic support and therapies for patients and their families. The service encourages flexible and integrated working and there is a strong commitment to triangle of care, including proactive support for families and carers.

As a senior member of the team, you will be expected to show good leadership in supporting colleagues to work psychologically and use person-centred principles across their work. This includes supervision, advice, consultation and training. This is a role where innovation is encouraged.

About us

There are close links with psychologists working in older peoples services across the Durham Tees Valley and North Yorkshire and York care groups, as well as with other specialisms across the Trust. There are also strong links to the Teesside Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme with the speciality providing academic and clinical experience components. There are excellent opportunities for peer support/ supervision, CPD, teaching/ training, research and audit in line with strategic development.

Job description Job responsibilities

Applicants should have experience in working within older adult psychology, and show a commitment to patient-centred, compassionate care. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, motivated, and demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent mental health care and evidence-based interventions for this client group. Opportunities to develop special interests and co-work will be encouraged, as will opportunities to undertake service development activities.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academys Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Additional contact details

Lawrence Jones

Team Manager

lawrence.jones2@nhs.net

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Post-graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical / counselling / forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Desirable

• Registration with BPS
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Experience Essential

• Trained or working as a qualified applied psychologist within the designated service including a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and a range of clinical severity across a range of care settings.
• Has exercised clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care within the context of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Experience of joint working with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies

Knowledge / Skills Essential

• Risk assessment and risk management
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Communicate highly complex and highly sensitive information effectively, to a wide range of people

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

346-DDM-087-22-A