To provide a specialised psychology Service to the ID CAMHs service. The post holder will provide psychological advice, consultation, training and supervision to non-psychological colleagues in addition to the direct provision of psychological assessments and interventions and where appropriate clinical support for pilot projects and clinical developments across the service. The post holder will liaise closely with other Clinical Psychologists and other key senior staff within the service to support the implementation of agreed system changes and service developments within the directorate.

We have advertised this role at band 8a but would also seriously consider applicants at band 7 and encourage applications from less experienced staff who can complete developmental programme within the role to achieve band 8a in time.

Main duties of the job

• To ensure the systematic provision of a high quality specialist clinical psychology service to children and young people with a learning disability;
• To offer advice, consultation and supervision on psychological care to psychology colleagues, non-psychology colleagues and other non-professional carers;
• To work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice within the service. To propose and implement policy changes within the area served by the team/service;
• The post holder will utilise doctoral level research skills as a major component of the post for audit, policy and service development and research and to supervise research carried out by trainee and assistant psychologists if/when appropriate.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Job description Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Person Specification Training and Qualifications Essential

• Post-graduate doctoral level training (or equivalent) in clinical psychology as accredited by the BPS.

Desirable

• Formal post-doctoral training in the use and interpretation of neuropsychological assessments and, or additional therapeutic approaches specific to children and young people with learning disabilities

Experience Essential

• Experience of working systemically with family and carer groups and establishing the most effective methods of working with the nominated client group
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for clients' psychological care and treatment, both as a professionally qualified autonomous practitioner and also within the context of a multidisciplinary treatment plan.
• Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision.

Desirable

• Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist for a minimum of 2 years at a specialist level.
• Experience of working with children and young people with a learning disability or neurodevelopmental disorders including family, presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the full range of care settings including community, inpatient and residential.
• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care.
• Experience of assessing and treating children and young people with a Learning Disability.
• Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts.
• Experience of working with sexual abuse, mental illness, verbal aggression, risk of physical aggression and family breakdown.
• Experience of supervising professionals from other clinical backgrounds e.g. nurses, social workers

Knowledge and Skills Essential

• Doctoral level knowledge of clinical psychology including highly developed specialist knowledge of lifespan developmental psychology, neuropsychology, particularly the literature pertaining to two or more distinct psychological therapies and functional analysis for use with the nominated client group/ carers.
• Skills in the use of highly complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• A high level of ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, highly technical, and clinically sensitive information to the nominated client group, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis as practiced within the field of clinical psychology.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and other key legislation and its implications for both clinical practice and supervision regarding work with the nominated client group/carers.
• Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.
• Ability to plan and prioritise own clinical workload and research programmes.

Desirable

• Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies for children with learning disabilities and their families.
• Knowledge of Makaton and, or other communication approaches for use with children and young people with a learning disability
• Knowledge of different causes of learning disability including appreciation of different behavioural phenotypes associated with different genetic conditions associated with learning disability

Other Essential

• Working to professional guidelines.
• Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and severely challenging behaviours.
• Ability to identify, and employ, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
• Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
• Ability to articulate and interpret clearly the role of the profession of clinical psychology based upon a good understanding of the framework of government and national professional policy.

Training and Qualifications Essential

• Formal post-doctoral training in the use and interpretation of neuropsychological assessments and, or additional therapeutic approaches specific to children and young people with learning disabilities

Desirable

• Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
• Record of having published in either peer reviewed or academic or professional journal and/or books.

Personal Essential

• Ability to sit in constrained positions when working with clients.
• Ability to sustain intense levels of concentration, responding and participating as required.
• Ability to self- reflect and use clinical supervision appropriately.
• Ability to cope with unpleasant working environments or conditions.
• Ability to cope in, and deal with highly distressing emotional circumstances

Desirable

• Ability to exert moderate physical effort whilst conducting practical activities as part of therapeutic group work.

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

152-M351.22