Applied Psychologist/Highly Specialist Applied Psychologist in North East

We are looking for a compassionate psychologist to join us in the mental health teams in North East Prisons, in either HMP Deerbolt in Barnard Castle or HMP Frankland in Durham. The post would suit an enthusiastic Psychologist valuing the opportunity to work collaboratively with well‑established multi‑disciplinary teams. A key part of this role will be using clinical leadership skills to influence teams to embed formulations, psychological understanding and psychosocial interventions in everyday practice.

As a service, we are keen to support and invest in the ongoing development of our Psychologists through CPD opportunities, so an interest in developing clinical skills across a range of evidence‑based therapeutic approaches is essential. The Psychologist would have the opportunity to gain experience working with a diverse population that includes mental health, learning disability, autism and older adults, including those who may have experienced trauma and/or neurological difficulties.

Main duties of the job

These posts are advertised as 8a posts; we are willing to consider applications from Psychologists who do not yet meet the essential criteria for a Band 8a, but who would be interested in undertaking the post at a Band 7 initially, with a supportive plan for development and progression in due course. We welcome applications from those who are currently coming to the end of their training in psychology and on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee counselling psychologists are eligible to apply for and be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their 3rd year of the doctoral training and have the following confirmed as completed by the university: (a) All clinical competencies. (b) 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours). Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply for and be shortlisted for interview and to be offered qualified posts when they are in their third year of training, as they will have completed their core clinical competencies by this stage of the course.

Job responsibilities

You will be expected to have the necessary skills, training and experience to undertake direct clinical work, offer clinical supervision to others, including a higher assistant psychologist, and consultation to the wider MDT. Candidates should have excellent interdisciplinary working skills and be interested in contributing to the development of an innovative service. We will support training in a governed psychological therapy.

Qualifications

• Post‑graduate training (doctoral level equivalent) in clinical/counselling/forensic psychology (or its equivalent prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS.
• HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist.
• Trained in clinical supervision (within agreed timescale).
• Trained in care co‑ordination (within agreed timescale).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Post‑graduate qualification showing evidence of supervised practice in an evidence‑based psychological therapeutic model.
• Registration with BPS.

Experience

• Must have experience/interest in working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area).
• Multi‑disciplinary team working.
• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy.
• Experience of research and audit.

Knowledge/Skills

• Doctoral level knowledge of evidence‑based practice relevant to the role.
• Risk assessment and risk management.
• Clinical governance.
• Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health.
• Audit and research methodology.
• Social Inclusion agenda.
• Awareness of the Trust's Quality Improvement System.
• Must be able to communicate complex and highly sensitive information effectively to a wide range of people.
• Adapt creatively the evidence base for interventions in mental health for clients with communication difficulties/learning disabilities.
• Provide (within agreed timescale) effective teaching, training and clinical supervision.
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and undertake care co‑ordination/lead practitioner responsibilities.
• Undertake complex multi‑agency working and liaise with multiple systems.
• Utilise psychometric tests competently.
• Identify, provide and promote appropriate interventions/means of support for carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
• Utilise appropriate clinical governance mechanisms within own work.
• Use approved breakaway techniques.
• Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.