Early Intervention for Psychosis - Clinical Psychologist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Clinical Psychologist to join a well-established and supportive Early Intervention in Psychosis Team. The team works with people aged 14 –35 with a first episode of psychosis and their carers/families for up to 3 years. Only qualified Clinical Psychologists need apply.

The post holder will provide assessment and evidence-based CBTp and psychological interventions for this client group, including individual, group and family work. The post holder will be expected to work closely with the multidisciplinary team and offer support and supervision on psychological approaches to working with psychosis. The role will include providing formal, ongoing clinical supervision to junior staff as directed by the team manager.

You will have experience of working in Early Intervention in Psychosis or a similar area, and will be familiar with the current standards and targets for the Early Intervention in Psychosis services nationally.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide specialist psychological assessment of clients referred to the Early Intervention Service based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological tests, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
• Support the delivery of CBTp and Psychological Interventions in line with NICE guidelines for Service Users on the Early Intervention care pathway.
• Facilitate Early Intervention Team staff in providing service users and their families with a service that is culturally sensitive, needs led and ensure that these are of the highest standard in terms of equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary mental health, psychological assessments for service users and their families referred to the team.
• Formulate, recommend and, where agreed, implement plans for formal treatment and/or management, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework, and employing methods based upon evidence of efficacy, across the full range of care settings.
• Evaluate and make decisions about treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.
• To provide service users and their Carers with clear information to assist them in making informed decisions about their assessments, treatment and care.
• Provide specialist expertise, advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to formulation, diagnosis and a treatment plan for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
• Utilise an evidence-based approach to negotiate and manage clinical opinions and team discussions.
• To undertake and develop risk assessments and risk management plans for individuals including children and young people and to provide advice to other professions on risk assessment and risk management.
• To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under their care and to monitor progress during the course of both uni- and multi-disciplinary care.

Managerial:

• To support the team in developing and building effective communication around the First Episode of Psychosis pathway between CNWL's mental health services and other external agencies.
• To contribute and lead on the implementation of local and national objectives.
• Contribute to ensuring that a positive learning environment exists for clinical staff to ensure professional standards and training opportunities are made available.
• To support the Early Intervention senior management team in ensuring effective caseload management.
• To represent the Early Intervention team at local mental health forums.
• Identify aspects of the service which need to be improved and implement appropriate changes in conjunction with the Early Intervention senior management team.
• Work closely with and assist the team in development and implementation of CNWL policies, contributing to policy formulation and review.
• To support the team in meeting key performance indicators, targets and standards identified by the trust, with particular emphasis on therapeutic service delivery.
• Ensure the promotion of health and safety, well-being and interests of clients, staff and visitors that come in to contact with the Early Intervention Team.
• In conjunction with other senior team members ensure that implementation of clinical/management supervision for Early Intervention team staff in line with the trust policy and appropriate professional guidelines.
• As negotiated and within time constraints, the post holder will be expected to attend and contribute to relevant clinical meetings of local adult services.

Educational:

• Receive regular clinical professional supervision from a relevant lead/head of profession and, where appropriate, other senior professional colleagues.
• To be responsible for one's own practice, supervision and personal development. This will be supported by the trusts performance and appraisal policy.
• To maintain own professional portfolio in line with professional registration.
• Provide advice, consultation, supervision and training to professionals working within the team and related services.
• Undertake clinical audits within the service and participate in clinical trials when required.

Research and service evaluation:

• To contribute to the development, evaluation and monitoring of the teams operational policies and services, through the deployment of professional skills in research, service valuation and audit.
• To advise both service and professional management on those aspects of the service where clinical and/or organisational matters need addressing.
• To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in individual work and work with other team members.
• To undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to other staff undertaking research.
• To familiarise themselves with, and to comply with, the Trust's requirements on research governance.
• To contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes.
• To contribute to the development and articulation of best practice in systemic and family therapy and delivery of CBTp across the service.
• To use computer software packages to prepare reports, presentations and documents relevant to working duties.
• To undertake administrative tasks in line with service requirements, making appropriate use of administrative support available.

Mandatory Training:

• The post holder will complete the CNWL mandatory training programme annually within directed timescales.
• Attend relevant multi-agency planning meetings such as Child In Need, Child Protection conferences, professionals meetings and CPAs.
• Familiarise and adhere to trust Policy and Procedure.

Professional Standards and Performance Review:

• The post holder will fully participate in the Trust's Appraisal / Supervision Programme and work with their manager to ensure that they have a clear job plan and objectives.
• The post holder will actively participate in the EIS internal duty systems as required.

Flexible Working:

• The post holder will undertake any other duties as appropriate to the grade/role and work flexibly across sites as required.

Rider Clause:

This is an outline of the post holder's duties and responsibilities. It is not intended as an exhaustive list and may change from time to time in order to meet the changing need of the Trust and Department.

The following responsibilities are applicable to all Band 7 and most other staff members:

• Professional registration: As a Band 7 you are expected to maintain your professional registration with the body appropriate to your professional and adhere to that Code of Conduct. Your employment depends on you doing this and failure to remain registered or to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in temporary downgrading, suspension from duty and/or disciplinary action which may result in the termination of your employment.
• Safeguarding: As a Band 7 Specialist Early Intervention in Psychosis Clinical Psychologist you have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse. You should be aware of local safeguarding procedures and how to contact named professionals for advice and support as well as reporting any concerns. You will be supported with the supervision and training needed to recognise and act on welfare concerns and to respond to the needs of children and adults.