We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Clinical Psychologist to inspire and lead in our Assertive Outreach Service in Somerset.

The Assertive Outreach Service provides mental health support to individuals with complex, severe and enduring mental health difficulties. The team focuses on supporting individuals who historically have struggled to engage with standard community mental health team processes and are at high risk of relapsing or admission into inpatient services.

The role will contribute to the clinical leadership of the service across either the county and will be supported by the wider leadership team.

You will provide input into teams via consultation, supervision and training, and provide highly specialist assessment and intervention for patients with complex mental needs.

You will be involved in the on-going development of the service. The role encourages liaison across other inpatient and community services both within the Trust and with other supporting agencies due to the nature of the patient group.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for providing highly specialist psychological assessment and interventions to patients with complex mental health difficulties.

The post holder is responsible for supporting clinical leadership across the Assertive Outreach Service providing specialist consultation, training and supervision.

The post holder will provide clinical leadership as part of the leadership team in the Assertive Outreach Service as required.

The post holder will contribute to service development.

The post will involve working alongside the senior staff in Adult Psychology and Psychological Therapies Service to ensure effective implementation of best practice.

About us

The Trust has strong links to the University of Exeter and their Clinical Training course.

There are opportunities for personal and professional development through the Trust's appraisal process.

This is an exciting time to join Assertive Outreach within a growing Community Mental Health Service in Somerset as we develop additional roles to ensure we continue to provide excellent mental health care in a modern and evidence-based service.

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks 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. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for providing highly specialised psychological assessment and psychological assessment and treatment with clients referred to AOT

To provide a consultancy service to the AOTs and CMHS staff and other professionals, with regard to problem assessment, complex case formulation and therapy interventions as appropriate in order to contribute to care planning.

To liaise with appropriate professionals and to contribute to multi-disciplinary case discussions/planning meetings.

To work with the Head of CMHS and LD, members of the Senior Leadership Group and other senior colleagues regarding service priorities and effective implementation of best practice guidelines.

To contribute to strategic planning and proposed changes to service delivery in order to ensure / promote effective service delivery in accordance with Trust strategy and local need.

To regularly participate in relevant areas of research & evaluation and undertake service evaluation as agreed with your line manager and / or supervise the research of others.

To encourage a culture of evidence based practice in all parts of the service.

To promote the use of effective psychology and psychological therapies in AOT and the Trust.

To participate in relevant Trust, CMHS and AOT clinical governance initiatives

To participate in and promote clinical audit within the CMHS and AOT.

To liaise with other disciplines and agencies, as appropriate, to ensure best practice is shared

Provide clinical leadership within AOTs to ensure that high standards of practice are maintained and developed, in accordance with individual roles and responsibilities.

Ensure that standards of care are maintained in line with national and local guidelines.

Ensure that policies are adhered to regarding care planning, care pathways, referrals and discharge planning, risk assessment and risk management.

Develop and maintain effective multi-agency communication and pathways, to ensure smooth transition between the agencies and services, which will be able to meet the changing health and social care needs of service users.

Ensure that your line manager, Head of CMHS and LD, members of the Senior Leadership Group and other senior staff are kept appropriately informed of high risk or highly complex situations, which might affect the integrity of the service.

Deputise for senior colleagues for agreed specific duties.

To support and take responsibility for key projects within the auspices of AOT and the CMHS.

Provide direct clinical supervision to clinical staff in AOT as agreed with your line manager

Support and provide annual appraisal (PDRs) and personal development plans (PDPs) for staff, as required

Feedback to the your line manager, Head of CMHS and LD and senior colleagues identified training needs, to inform training and development strategy for the service.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Doctoral Clinical qualification or equivalent
• Registered with the HCPC as a Practitioner Psychologist
• Significant experience of working with people with complex mental health problems using a specific, NICE approved, therapy

Desirable

• Accreditation in NICE approved therapy, e.g. CBT or CAT.

Knowledge Essential

• Highly specialised psychological assessment and interventions for people with complex mental health problems
• Supervision experience with a range of staff
• Knowledge of specialist therapeutic interventions for people with complex mental health difficulties.
• Knowledge of the role & functions of other agencies and departments

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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