Paediatric Practitioner Psychologist in Specialties Stream

A fixed-term, part-time post for a Band 7 clinical or practitioner psychologist in the Paediatric Psychological Therapies Service at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, within the Specialties Stream. The work is specialist assessment and evidence-based intervention for children and families with physical health conditions, with a likely outpatient focus on epilepsy and gastroenterology. The role also covers group work, consultation with medical teams and supervision of assistant psychologists. Applicants need doctoral training and HCPC registration as a practitioner psychologist; trainees with paediatric experience may also apply.

What the job involves

• Provide specialist assessment, formulation and evidence-based interventions for children and families with physical health presentations
• Support outpatients with procedural anxiety, adjustment to diagnosis and emotional wellbeing
• Complete risk assessments and management plans for children with psychological or emotional difficulties alongside physical health needs
• Develop and deliver group interventions as part of accessible, tiered care
• Offer consultation, joint working and staff support to the multidisciplinary team
• Supervise assistant psychologists and master's students
• Support service evaluation, audit and quality improvement projects

Qualifications

• Doctoral clinical psychology training covering psychopathology, psychometrics, neuropsychology, two or more therapies and lifespan development, BPS and HCPC accredited

Registration & licences

• Current HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Experience

• Specialist assessment, formulation and intervention with children, young people and families, including cognitive assessment
• Working in a multidisciplinary team, ideally in a paediatric or health setting, creatively and cooperatively, representing psychology
• Conducting and managing risk assessments and risk management plans
• Working with other agencies, such as social care
• Culturally sensitive, inclusive psychological therapy for children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Working with people with medical or chronic physical health conditions across a range of severity

Skills & knowledge

• Doctoral-level research methodology, design and multivariate data analysis
• Specialised psychological therapies for children with chronic physical health conditions and their effect on quality of life
• Complex psychological assessment, intervention and management
• Clear communication of complex or sensitive information to families and professionals, orally and in writing
• Supervising non-qualified psychology staff and providing consultation to other professional groups

Other

• Teaching and training others using complex multi-media materials for public, professional and academic settings
• Working autonomously with careful clinical judgement, and reflective and ethical practice
• Supporting families, carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations, using clinical governance to sustain practice

Nice to have

• Pre-qualification training or qualifications in research methodology, staff training or other applied psychology or child health
• High-level knowledge of specialised approaches for specific problems, such as adherence and preparation for medical treatment
• Knowledge of legislation for the client group, such as child protection and consent to treatment