We are looking to recruit a Band 8a Clinical Psychologist to our Early Intervention for Psychosis Service, which provides a service for young people aged 14-25 years who have psychosis or are considered to be at risk of developing it. This is a new post and an exciting development for the service. The post is permanent and full time (part time hours will be considered) and will be based in Carmarthen and cover the whole of the Health Board footprint. It is an opportunity to be part of an enthusiastic and committed team which has excellent links with both S-CAMHS and Adult Mental Health.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be responsible for the development and provision of Psychology within the multi-disciplinary team and the role will include providing assessment and intervention for those young people in the service, and the provision of consultation and supervision to other professionals within the service. Training and consultation will also be key roles. Psychology has strong links with the South Wales D Clin Psy training course and the successful applicant will be encouraged to have trainees on placement and to supervise Assistant Psychologists.

The county is a beautiful place to live, especially for those who enjoy outdoor activities. The service is forward thinking, and special interests are encouraged whenever possible and there are regularly opportunities to be involved in new service developments.

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

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 11,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest;

Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire;

48 general practices (four of which are managed practices), 47 dental practices (including three orthodontic), 99 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres;

Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services;

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.

Job description Job responsibilities

The post is advertised as a band 8a. However, applicants who do not currently meet all the skills and competences for the band 8a role, are encouraged to apply and, if successful, will be appointed under Agenda for Change Arrangement for Pay and Banding of Trainees (Annex 21) supported by a development plan for 2 years. The application of Annex 21 with pay protection at band 7 may be considered for newly qualified psychologists until competencies are met for 8a, which will be expected to be met within 2 years. Following successful completion and successful attainment of skills and competences for the role, the post holder will then be paid at band 8a (minimum point on the scale). Continued support and supervision will be provided in order to develop the practitioner to the band 8a role. This will be an excellent opportunity for a newly qualified psychologist looking for career development.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification Qualifications and Knowledge Essential

• Registration with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including psychopathology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS.
• Knowledge of psychometrics, appropriate administration and limitations.
• Post qualification training in at least one area relevant to the post
• Additional Specialist training relevant to the role e.g psychosis

Desirable

• Post qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.
• Training administration of the CAARMS assessment.
• Knowledge of difficulties experienced by clients supported by Early Intervention for Psychosis Service.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and assessment in psychosis, specific difficult to treat groups or complex presentations (e.g. mental health and learning disability, substance misuse).
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health e.g. NIHCE guidelines.

Experience Essential

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
• Experience of specialist psychological assessment (post qualification) incorporating psychometrics and cognitive assessment
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course, presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity.
• Post qualification experience of working with psychosis in adults or young people, or those at risk of developing the problem.

Desirable

• Post qualification experience of working within Early Intervention Services.
• Experience of teaching, training and supervision.
• Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts.

Language Skills Desirable

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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