Senior Clinical Psychologist - Neurodevelopment

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Clinical Psychologist with relevant experience and an interest in neurodevelopmental assessment to join our friendly team within the Neurodisability Service (NDS) at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The NDS consists of multidisciplinary teams providing assessment of children with complex neurodevelopmental profiles including social communication difficulties, early childhood epilepsy and other rare disorders. The majority of the caseload is outpatient-based with an emphasis on close liaison with local professionals to optimize ongoing support and interventions as necessary.

The successful candidate will offer specialist psychological provision to the children/young people and their families in these services across the age and developmental ranges, including participation in multidisciplinary evaluation and neuropsychological assessment. We provide formulation and diagnosis. We also provide informed recommendations for rehabilitation and treatment to families, professionals, local services and education. This post offers many opportunities for professional development, audit, service evaluation and involvement in research both within Neurodisability and across the wider Psychology and Mental Health service at GOSH (PAMHS).

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will offer specialist psychological provision to the children/young people and their families in these services, including participation in multidisciplinary evaluation, diagnosis, support planning, psycho-education and treatment. This post offers opportunities for professional development and involvement in research. The successful candidates will join a large group of psychologists working across neurodevelopmental specialty teams within the Trust, in addition to accessing the learning and opportunities that come with being part of a wider psychology service at a leading children’s hospital.

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed. We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion. We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

Person specification

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS/HCPC, including clinical psychometrics, neuropsychology, and lifespan developmental psychology.
• Post–doctoral training and recorded CPD experience and/or further qualifications in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council as Practitioner Psychologist.
• Post–doctoral training or recorded CPD experience in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice including aspects of paediatric neurodevelopment.
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.
• Trained to administer ADOS-2.

Experience/Knowledge

• Experience of working as a qualified psychologist.
• Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and presenting with the full range of clinical severity.
• Experience of representing clinical psychology in the context of multidisciplinary care.
• Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts, of working in a multicultural framework and actively promoting anti-racism and inclusive practice.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to children and young people and child protection.
• Experience of supervising qualified clinical psychologists.
• Previous training in and/or experience of working within specialist paediatric neurodevelopmental services.

Skills/Abilities

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Experience of using cognitive assessments with children.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, technical and clinically sensitive information to clients, their carers, and other professionals.
• Skills in providing consultation and support to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Evidence of skilled and productive multidisciplinary team working.
• Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
• Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, including verbal abuse.
• Ability to identify research needs of service and conduct research.