At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead trauma-informed care and provide specialist psychological services in a dynamic prison environment.
- Company: Join North London NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to transforming mental health care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, NHS discounts, generous leave, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to staff wellbeing and training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while working with a supportive multidisciplinary team.
- Qualifications: Doctoral level training in psychology and experience in forensic settings required.
The predicted salary is between 66274 - 73496 £ per year.
We are excited that our prison services are transforming in partnership with other healthcare providers across our London Prisons and are looking for candidates who are interested in working in prison mental health to come and work with us in our Mental Health Hub in HMP Wormwood Scrubs. The mental health provision at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is a specialist mix of psychological therapies, speech and language therapy, forensic psychiatry, nursing, and occupational therapy.
We are looking for an experienced psychologist, ideally with prison experience, to join our rich MDT and lead on embedding trauma-informed care at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. This is an exciting new post providing an opportunity to lead on changing the prison culture and will rely on strong relationship, clinical, leadership and creative skills.
The post holder will work with the therapies team within the Mental Health Hub, offering a high standard of care and an integrated triage, assessment and intervention for individuals within our prison settings who are presenting with mental health problems. The successful candidate will benefit from a supportive team and opportunities for continued professional development.
Main duties of the job include providing a qualified specialist psychology service to service users under the care of the Mental Health team and Therapies Service at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. The role includes providing specialist psychological assessment and therapy, as well as offering advice and consultation on service users' psychological care to non-psychologist colleagues. The post holder will also provide supervision to unqualified and qualified psychology staff and support senior staff to further develop the service.
Qualifications/Training:
- Doctoral level training in Clinical / Health / Counselling psychology.
- Post-graduate doctoral level qualification in Clinical, Health or Counselling psychology as accredited by the British Psychological Society, or British Psychological Society Statement of Equivalence.
- Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a practitioner psychologist.
- Completion of further post-doctoral post-qualification specialist training in one of: ADOS, EMDR, Trauma informed CBT, ACT or CFT.
Skills:
- Skills in the use of a range of methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management for the full range of problems of severity and complexity presented in adult mental health, particularly with regards to trauma and neurodiversity.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS.
- Skills in providing consultation to other mental health professional and non-mental health professional groups.
- Skills in providing training to other mental health professional and non-mental health professional groups.
Experience/Knowledge:
- Experience of psychological assessment and treatment of adult service users in a Tier 3 setting, ideally within a forensic setting or prison establishment.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of service users, across the whole life course and presenting problems.
- Significant post-qualification experience working with service users with depression, anxiety and trauma and its comorbidities.
- Significant experience in working with service users with neurodiverse needs.
- Experience of teaching, training and offering effective consultation and supervision services.
- High level knowledge of the theory and practice of psychological therapies, with demonstrated competence in the delivery of effective, evidence-based psychological interventions.
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the service user group and mental health.
Personal Qualities:
- An ability to form good working relationships with colleagues in a multi-disciplinary setting.
- Understanding of the importance of reflective practice, self-awareness, self-care and use of supervision and support provisions to maintain safe and effective working practice.
- An ability to respond professionally and sensitively to service users who are anxious, angry, or distressed.
- A positive attitude towards continuous improvement programmes and audit in forensic health.
- Excellent organisation skills and an ability to work safely, independently and reliably within the time constraints of the role.
Other requirements:
- Excellent IT skills and confidence using multiple devices across different locations and organisations.
Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in London employer: National health service
North London NHS Foundation Trust offers a unique opportunity for Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologists to work in a transformative environment at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, where mental health care is prioritised. With a strong commitment to staff development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive team culture, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in the prison system. The Trust's dedication to continuous professional growth and wellbeing initiatives ensures that staff are empowered and valued in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in London
✨Get Involved in Local Mental Health Initiatives
Join local mental health organisations and initiatives to immerse yourself in the community. Volunteering at workshops or support groups can not only boost your experience but also help you make valuable connections that might lead to part-time roles. It’s all about getting your name out there!
✨Attend Networking Events and Workshops
Keep an eye on workshops and networking events specifically for therapy and counselling professionals. These gatherings are prime opportunities to meet potential employers, hear about job openings, and engage in meaningful conversations with industry peers. Who knows who you might bump into!
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a professional online presence highlighting your counselling approach and experiences. Consider starting a blog or sharing insights on social media about therapy methods. This can attract attention from local companies like National health service who are looking for someone like you for their part-time needs.
✨Directly Approach Local Clinics
Don't be shy about reaching out directly to clinics or counselling practices in your area. Many part-time roles are filled without ever being advertised. A friendly email introducing yourself and expressing interest in potential opportunities at National health service can sometimes lead to the job you’ve been dreaming of!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Clinical/Counselling Psychologist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassionate Side:In the therapy and counselling professions, it's crucial to convey your empathy and understanding in your application. Your CV should highlight any relevant volunteer work or experience in helping roles. Let’s face it, potential employers want to see that you can connect with clients, so showcase those soft skills front and centre!
Include Your Credentials:For a part-time role in therapy or counselling, it’s essential to demonstrate your qualifications. Make sure to include any degrees, certifications, or workshops that are relevant to the position. If you’ve completed specific training in mental health or counselling techniques, don’t skip those; they can set you apart from others.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Your cover letter is the perfect place to express your interest in working part-time and highlight your passion for helping others. Talk about why you’re drawn to National health service and how the part-time role fits into your career path. We're looking for a genuine connection, so let your personality shine through!
Availability Matters:Since this is a part-time role, clearly outline your availability in your application. Be honest about the hours you can commit, and consider mentioning if you have any flexibility. This helps National health service see how you can fit into their schedule and be a valuable addition to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Know Your Theoretical Frameworks
It's crucial for us to brush up on the therapy techniques and theoretical frameworks relevant to this field. Be prepared to discuss how you apply them in practice—think about specific case studies from your training that highlight your approach. This not only shows your understanding but also helps you connect with your potential clients at National health service.
✨Practice Your Active Listening Skills
Since we're diving into therapy and counselling, active listening is our bread and butter. You might face role-play scenarios during the interview, so make sure to showcase your ability to listen and respond empathetically. Demonstrating this skill can make all the difference in how we're perceived as future therapists.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility With Clients
In a part-time role, we often deal with a diverse client base, so it’s important to showcase our adaptability. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor your therapeutic approach to fit different client needs. Sharing any past experiences—whether from internships or coursework—will provide great insights to National health service about your versatility.
✨Prepare Your Questions on Working with Diverse Populations
Part-time roles can sometimes mean working with a variety of clients from different backgrounds. Think of specific questions to ask about how National health service supports inclusivity and handles diverse cases. This not only highlights your interest but also shows that you’ve thought ahead about client dynamics and your role within them.
