At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop psycho-oncology support for breast cancer patients and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Company: Join County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, making a real difference in healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to impact lives positively.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for research and collaboration across the region.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative service that addresses social inequalities in cancer care.
- Qualifications: Post-graduate doctorate in Clinical Psychology and experience in health settings required.
The predicted salary is between 57528 - 64750 £ per year.
A rare opportunity has arisen for a clinical psychologist to play a pivotal role in the development of a new adult psycho-oncology service for people affected by cancer in County Durham and Darlington (CDDFT): building pathways and supporting patients. This post will begin with a focus on supporting breast cancer patients who are at particular risk in our area, and with sharing learnings regionally. At the heart of CDDFT's psychological approach is the critical nature of proximity, listening, involvement in systemic issues and how service design can either entrench or challenge inequality. We want to shape a psychologically informed service that genuinely reaches all types of people in all manner of locations - so that no one is left behind.
If this approach sounds exciting to you, you have experience of working in physical health settings, and are motivated to build a service that makes a difference. We want to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
This role will begin with scoping and developing psychological support with a focus on breast cancer population needs. It will involve speaking with patients, MDTs, charities, external stakeholders to help develop ways to provide specialist psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions that are appropriate for the population in all their variety. You won't be alone, this is part of a service-wide approach so you will work directly with the head of service. A key aspect of the role will be to share learnings across the wider breast cancer region to support dissemination of best practice.
To really enjoy this job you will need to be creative and innovative, but also a real completer finisher with an eye for detail and evaluation.
Job responsibilities
You will play a pivotal role in developing psycho-oncology support for people affected by breast cancer in County Durham and Darlington. You will be highly motivated to offer a service that addresses social inequalities and will develop effective working relationships across populations, organisations and boundaries to do this creatively. You will work closely with the CDDFT breast cancer multi-disciplinary team to ensure the needs of people affected by breast cancer are supported and to develop ways that psychology can fit into existing approaches. You will hold an active caseload, delivering specialist assessments and interventions for people affected by breast cancer, as well as contributing to research, training, and service development to enhance psycho-oncology delivery and care within the organisation. A key aspect of the role will be to share learning from the service across the wider region, to inform and support regional psycho-oncology care.
You will be supported by the consultant psychologist and head of service.
Person Specification
- Essential: Knowledge of working in a cancer service or other health setting.
- Essential: A finisher-completer with an eye for detail and strong organisational and planning skills.
- Essential: Interest in addressing social inequalities.
- Essential: Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
- Essential: Skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
- Essential: Emotional resilience in maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems and hospital environment.
- Essential: Able to transport equipment.
- Essential: Able to travel to multiple hospitals across the Trust and regionally.
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS.
Statutory Registration
- Essential: Registered with appropriate professional body - HCPC.
- Desirable: Member of BPS or ACP.
Special Skills & Knowledge
- Essential: Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
- Essential: Able to provide a culturally sensitive service.
- Essential: Able to have a flexible and dynamic approach to working in terms of the ability to work collaboratively and/or independently as required.
- Essential: Highly developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
Experience
- Essential: Experience of working in the NHS.
- Essential: Experience of working in a health psychology setting.
- Essential: Experience working with patients in hospital or cancer care settings.
- Essential: Experience of working with a multidisciplinary setting and liaising with external stakeholders.
- Essential: Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups.
- Essential: Experience of undertaking research or service evaluation or audit within the NHS and the verbal and written dissemination of findings.
Qualifications
- Essential: Post-graduate doctorate level training in Clinical Psychology as accredited by the BPS including specifically models of psychopathology, psychological therapies.
- Essential: HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist.
- Essential: Evidence of continuous professional development including relevant specialist courses, training and experience.
Clinical Psychologist, Womens Cancer Psycho-Oncology Service in Darlington employer: National health service
At County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous professional development opportunities, collaborative team dynamics, and a focus on addressing social inequalities in healthcare. Working in the heart of County Durham, you will have the unique chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of breast cancer patients while being part of a pioneering psycho-oncology service.
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We think this is how you could land Clinical Psychologist, Womens Cancer Psycho-Oncology Service in Darlington
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We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Psychologist, Womens Cancer Psycho-Oncology Service in Darlington
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Tailor Your CV with Relevant Experience:In psychology, it’s crucial to highlight your relevant experience, such as internships, research projects, or any volunteer work in mental health settings. Make sure to include specific roles and responsibilities, demonstrating how you've applied theoretical knowledge in real-world situations—this is what gets us excited!
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Personal Statement: Make It Count:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Share insights about why you’re passionate about psychology and how this role at National health service connects with your career goals. Be honest about your motivations and what you hope to learn—this is key for a full-time position and helps us gauge your fit in our team!
Focus on Soft Skills in Your Application:Psychology is as much about people as it is about theories. Highlight your soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork in your application. These traits are essential in our field and will help us see how you connect with others, so don't hold back in showcasing them!
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✨Brush Up on Key Psychological Theories
Before stepping into the interview with National health service, revisit key psychological theories that are relevant to the role, like cognitive behavioural therapy or humanistic psychology. Expect to discuss these during your interview, as they want to see how you apply theory to practice.
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Prepare a couple of case studies or anecdotes that demonstrate your practical experience in psychology. Whether it’s handling a difficult client or designing a psychological assessment, these stories will highlight your skills and help you stand out in your full-time interview.
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