Early Intervention for Psychosis - Clinical Psychologist

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• Early Intervention for Psychosis - Clinical Psychologist
• NHS Af C: Band 7

Main area Clinical Psychologist Grade NHS Af C: Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (3 days per week, 9am - 5pm) Job ref 333-J-KC-0977

Site Early Intervention Team in Psychosis, Hathaway House Town London Salary £58,133 - £65,261 per annum inc HCAS pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 05/08/2026 23:59

CNWL (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust) has almost 8,000 staff providing integrated healthcare to a third of London's population, Milton Keynes and areas beyond.

We involve service users, carers, the public, staff and partner organisations in the way that we are run.

Our catchment area spans diverse communities, with over 100 first languages spoken.

It contains areas of great affluence as well as areas of much deprivation.

We are committed to providing services that meet the needs of the people who use them, and we actively encourage involvement from local people who can help make a difference.

We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME and people with disabilities to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

We are recognised locally, nationally and internationally for providing high quality, innovative healthcare.

We aim to employ only the best people, and our experts are frequently called upon to contribute to national health strategy and policy, and many models of our care have been adapted for use in other countries.

We offer a generous relocation package (subject to eligibility assessment) and flexible working options, including bank assignments for most roles.

For more information on these and other benefits of working for us, see our Benefits, Reward and Wellbeing page

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust are committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We follow safe recruitment practices to protect children and vulnerable adults.

Job overview

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 Psychologist need apply.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical

• 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 client’s 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 polices, 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 team’s 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.

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.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• Doctoral level qualification in clinical or counselling psychology or equivalent and Registered with the HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist.
• Registered with their relevant professional body
• Other relevant training , eg substance misuse, working with adolescents.

Experience

• Experience of working in either a severe and enduring mental disorder. Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions to clients with psychosis, including CBTp.
• Significant experience in assessment and intervention for families affected by psychosis.
• Experience of providing clinical supervision
• Substantive post registration experience of working in an Early Intervention in Psychosis Team and managing a caseload of clients experiencing first episode of psychosis
• Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities.
• This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience
• Experience in supporting carers and/or facilitating groups for carers of people with psychosis
• Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions to clients with psychosis, including CBT
• Advanced level knowledge of the theoretical and evidence base for Family Interventions for Psychosis, including factors affecting implementation.
• Experience of developing and carrying out research projects
• Experience in supervising or providing consultation to mental health professionals in delivering psycho-social interventions

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the NICE guidelines for Schizophrenia and Psychosis in relation to CBT and Family Interventions
• Theoretical knowledge of first episode psychosis and the evidence base for family and carer interventions
• Knowledge of Family Intervention treatment model (e. g. behavioural-based family interventions, CBT informed Family Intervention).
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities
• Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care
• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
• To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for families and carers, and for meetings such as CPA and case reviews.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles
• Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate.
• To deliver family interventions across cultural and other differences.
• Skills in leadership: ability to motivate others, use initiative and manage change.
• Other
• Ability to manage verbal aggression and hostility
• Effective self/time management
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI can be used as a support tool, not a replacement for the applicant’s own work.

Applications must remain personal, accurate, and reflective of the candidate’s real experience.

AI-generated content must not misrepresent skills, qualifications, or experience.

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

We monitor applications for any behaviour that could create an unfair advantage, and we check all references carefully.

You are likely to be tested on your experience at interview, so be honest and make sure all the information in your application is correct.

Please note that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is prohibited during the interview process.

The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users.

As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.

• Due to the high response levels we receive for some vacancies, we may expire any of them prior to the advertised closing date and advise you to submit your application as soon as possible.
• Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Before submitting your application and to avoid disappointment please check that you are eligible under the UKVI points based system

• Our Agenda for Change employment contracts are subject to a contractual 13 week probationary period.
• If you are offered a job, information will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Sarah Cooper Job title Team manager Email address sarah. cooper43@nhs. net Telephone number 02082066424 Additional information

• Deborah Jones - Consultant Clinical Psychologist
• #J-18808-Ljbffr