Senior Clinical / Counselling Psychologist in Wigan

Applications are invited from Clinical / Counselling Psychologists wishing to work in the Wigan Mental Health Liaison Team, based at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. This well-established multi-disciplinary team supports service users within the hospital who are experiencing an interaction of physical health problems and mental health crises. You will be joining our existing 8b Psychologist and Assistant Psychologist, as well as becoming part of a well-established network of psychologists within our in-patient and urgent care teams.

Clinical work will involve conducting psychological assessments, formulation and interventions. Applicants will need to have experience and passion for working with people with experiences of trauma and mental health needs. Experience of working within multidisciplinary environments will be an advantage. The post holder will need to contribute actively to team and multi-disciplinary working, so a high standard of written and verbal communication is required. Indirect work will involve the provision of consultancy, supervision and training to others. Regular clinical supervision will be offered by the Wigan MHLT Principal Clinical Psychologist. This post is available on a permanent contract. Flexible working would be considered. Applications would be welcomed from more recently qualified psychologists who are interested in a Band 7-8a development post.

Main duties of the job

• Undertake rapid and highly specialist psychological assessments and formulations to guide the management and safe discharge of patients with mental health experiences including dementia, especially those who frequently attend the emergency department or are admitted to the acute hospital.
• Participation in multi-disciplinary decision-making regarding patients with psychological difficulties who are admitted to the acute hospital wards and emergency department.
• Development of the psychological elements of the Mental Health assessment of patients who are physically unwell.
• Delivery of appropriate brief psychological interventions as appropriate.
• Provision of appropriate information and education to families, carers and the care system.
• Use of psychological formulations to support resilience and reduce vulnerability in order to decrease the risk of repeated future crises.
• To deliver a continuing programme of training to Liaison service staff in psychological understanding of crises, assessment, formulation and interventions, as needed.
• To offer consultation and supervision to mental health liaison team staff in the development and utilisation of psychological and psycho-social formulations and in the delivery of any specific psychological or psycho-social interventions.

Skills and abilities

• Experience of using complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management and their application within crisis situations/states and within community and/or inpatient contexts.
• Experience of risk assessment, formulation and management.
• Experience supporting staff exposed to distressing situations.
• Leadership and Management Experience.
• Experience working with clients across the lifespan.
• Experience of consultation and indirect working.
• Experience working within Urgent Care or other relevant settings.

Important Information about working for GMMH: All positions within the Trust are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks. The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH. The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.