Clinical Psychologist

We are recruiting for a Clinical Psychologist (Band 7) to join the psychology department and multi-disciplinary therapy team at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN). The role is based in the RHN Level 1 Brain Injury Service (BIS), which provides assessments of disorders of consciousness, inpatient assessment and rehabilitation for people with severe brain injuries, and disability management for adults with complex neuro-disability.

Key responsibilities of the role are to provide a clinical psychology/neuropsychology service including psychological and neuropsychological assessments, formulations and interventions and working with clients, families and multi-disciplinary teams. We welcome applications from current Trainee Clinical Psychologists who are due to finish training this year.

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is one of the oldest independent hospitals and medical charities in the UK. We value person-centred care that focuses on enhancing dignity, independence and quality of life for our patients and residents. Our services span the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation services to end of life care, for people with complex neuro-disability and their families, underpinned by a strong research and education programme. We combine specialist expertise and collaborative interdisciplinary working to provide the best possible care for patients and residents living with neuro-disability.

Main duties of the job:

• Provide a clinical psychology/neuropsychology service, working with clients, families and teams.
• Provide psychological and neuropsychological assessments, formulations and interventions.
• Work closely with the MDT including therapy, medical, nursing, and social work colleagues.
• Contribute to the general professional activities of the discipline of clinical neuropsychology, and engage in audit, research and continuing professional development (CPD).
• Demonstrate an awareness of RHN's values and contribute to achieving them appropriately.

About us:

Situated within beautiful gardens and grounds, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is a leading national centre of excellence and one of the longest-running charities and independent hospitals in the UK. Set in a stunning Grade II listed Victorian building, the RHN provides adult person-centred services across the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation to end-of-life care for people with complex neuro-disabilities and their families. Underpinned by a strong research and education framework, the RHN is more than a hospital; it is a vibrant community where residents engage in music, art, and holistic support to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Job responsibilities:

• Carry out specialist assessments of cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning with clients with complex neuro-disability and develop clear psychological formulations based on these assessments.
• Carry out functional analyses of any behaviours that challenge, and develop appropriate guidelines and intervention plans.
• Make recommendations for interventions and care on the basis of the psychological formulation.
• Deliver and monitor interventions, e.g. cognitive rehabilitation strategies; psycho-education to patients, families and carers; CBT or other psychological interventions; behavioural interventions, as guided by the formulation.
• Conduct decision-specific complex mental capacity assessments and/or contribute to joint capacity assessments with other members of the MDT as needed.
• Contribute to best interests decisions and meetings for relevant decisions when patients are assessed to lack capacity to make these decisions for themselves.
• Provide information, support and advice to patients, families and carers as appropriate.
• Support the MDT in working with families as needed.
• Work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team, respecting the knowledge and expertise of all team members, whilst providing a psychological perspective on the clinical and service issues.
• Provide appropriate and prompt input to documentation and formal reports.
• Participate in monitoring of standards and performance, including timely completion of outcome measures.
• Participate in improvements for clinical practice and support the development of policies and procedures, as directed.
• Adhere to professional codes of conduct and practice guidelines, and be aware of legislation relevant to practice, e.g. the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Education, Training and Development:

• Contribute to teaching and training commitments relating to psychology at RHN. This may include teaching on the staff-wide induction programme and on training programmes for nursing, HCA and therapy assistant staff.
• Be self-aware about the limits of own competence, and proactive in improving competence, e.g. by making effective use of clinical supervision.
• Focus CPD around improving knowledge of clinical neuropsychology, particularly the needs of this specialist client group, taking advantage of both internal and external training opportunities.

Research and Evaluation:

• Contribute to and/or undertake audits and service evaluations within the service area.
• Engage in and support research projects as required.

Person Specification:

• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent overseas qualification, or due to qualify in the near future (please specify the date you are due to qualify in your application).
• Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), or imminently eligible to register pending successful completion of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent overseas qualification.
• Good knowledge of clinical psychological assessment techniques and clinical interventions.
• General knowledge of approaches to neuropsychological assessment and behavioural and cognitive interventions.
• Training in clinical neuropsychology.
• Ability to demonstrate clinical neuropsychological knowledge relevant to this specialist client group.
• Knowledge of neurological disorders.
• Knowledge of research design, conduct and analysis.
• Knowledge of relevant guidelines and legislation, particularly the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

• Experience of working clinically with adults with acquired brain injury and/or other relevant presentations (e.g. progressive neurodegenerative disorders).
• Experience of conducting standardised neuropsychological assessments.
• Previous experience of delivering psychological assessments and interventions with clients with severe and complex neuro-disability.
• Experience of conducting decision-specific mental capacity assessments.
• Experience of working with clients presenting with behaviours that challenge.
• Experience of working systemically with families and staff teams.

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.