Senior Clinical Psychologist in Paediatric Pain in London

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Clinical Psychologist interested in paediatric pain management to take a key role in the delivery, evaluation, and continuous development of an intensive interdisciplinary paediatric pain management programme (PPMP) for patients and families. The post-holder will work within an interdisciplinary team that includes pain clinicians, clinical nurse specialists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and support staff.

The Pain Management Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital provides an integrated service for acute, post-operative, and persistent pain in both inpatient and outpatient settings for infants, children, and adolescents. The PPMP is one of several available interventions offered by the Pain Management Service at GOSH and is delivered over 3 weeks to children & young people aged 11-18, and their parent or carer.

The post holder will sit in the Pain Psychology Services stream within the Psychological and Mental Health Service (PAMHS). There are lots of opportunities for learning and development across the department and wider hospital including academic teaching and specialist interest. We also offer placements to Undergraduate Placement students and Trainee Clinical Psychologists.

To avoid disappointment, we encourage early applications as this vacancy may be withdrawn before the closing date due to high levels of interest.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will contribute to the provision of a psychology service to patients and families within the PPMP, including specialist assessment, complex formulation, and evidence-based interventions. The post-holder will collaborate with other lead members across different disciplines. The role includes attending regular multidisciplinary meetings for the wider Pain Management Service to contribute to a psychological perspective on patient selection, ensure continuity of care, and feedback to the wider team.

Clinical delivery of the PPMP is set up within a research framework to facilitate ongoing refinement of program content and evaluation of the degree and duration of benefit. The postholder will contribute to: i) the refinement of PPMP treatment manuals and materials; ii) review of patient- and parent-reported outcome measures for assessment and monitoring; and iii) longitudinal follow-up to evaluate PPMP delivery and benefit.

The successful applicant will join a research supportive environment, and be affiliated with the Paediatric Pain Research Group, Clinical and Systems Neuroscience. Research within the PPMP will be supported by: i) clinical academic research staff within the Paediatric Pain Research Group; ii) a dedicated post-doctoral researcher and a research nurse; and iii) liaison with the UCL Priment Clinical Trials Unit.

Person Specification

• Essential: Honours Degree in Psychology. Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS/HCPC, including pain psychology. Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council as Practitioner Psychologist. Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.
• Desirable: Post-doctoral training or recorded CPD experience in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice including aspects of paediatric pain.

Skills/Abilities

• Essential: 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 to other professional and non-professional groups. 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. Evidence of skilled and productive multidisciplinary team working. Ability to maintain a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, including verbal abuse. Evidence of service development and team leadership skills. Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management.
• Desirable: Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management in chronic and complex pain and mental health.

Knowledge and Experience

• Essential: Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist in children's services. Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, presenting with the full range of clinical severity care settings. Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary 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. Experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist within paediatric and/or CAMHS or significant experience of working with adults with chronic pain. Knowledge of legislation in relation to children and young people and child protection. Experience of supervising junior Psychologists including Assistant Psychologists, Trainee Clinical Psychologists, undergraduate Psychology Placement Students and/or other professionals. Experience in delivering evidence-based interventions for a range of child and adolescent mental health problems.
• Desirable: Experience of presenting psychology to multidisciplinary audiences. Experience of teaching or training.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.