Applied Psychologist/Highly Specialist Psychologist

We are seeking to appoint a Clinical Psychologist. The vacancy is open to either a newly qualified Psychologist or an experienced Psychologist, with appropriate job description and banding being applied accordingly to the successful candidate. Dependant on candidates experience they may start at any of the following increments: Band 7, Band 7-8a developmental or Band 8a.

The post holder will have a key role in providing psychological assessments as well as a therapeutic, consultative and advisory service in relation to adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers, according to identified clinical need. In addition to direct clinical work, providing consultation and where necessary clinical supervision to other team members in regard to patients is an important element of the role.

Applicants should have experience in working within Learning Disability services and show strong patient-centred values. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, motivated, and demonstrate a commitment to delivering excellent mental health care and evidence-based interventions. Opportunities to develop special interests and co-work will be encouraged, as will opportunities to undertake service development activities.

This post offers exciting opportunities within the Tees Adult Learning Disability Service within South Tees multidisciplinary community team based at Flatts Lane Centre Middlesbrough. The multidisciplinary teams offer specialist health services to adults with a learning disability, their families and carers. The teams also work closely with statutory agencies and others who provide services to people with a learning disability.

If recruited to a band 7 post, this will be a developmental post with progression to an 8a banding upon meeting the criteria within the 8a job description. We welcome applications from staff who are currently coming to the end of their training in Clinical or counselling psychology that on successful completion will achieve the required qualification and registration with HCPC as Practitioner Psychologist. Trainee counselling psychologists are eligible to apply for and to 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:

• All clinical competencies.
• 80% of the 450 supervised clinical practice hours (360 hours).

Trainee clinical psychologists are eligible to apply for and to 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. This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position.

Psychologists & Psychological Therapists provide key leadership roles within the Trust. To support this we have developed leadership profiles for each psychology band and the profile card associated with this post is attached on NHS Jobs. You can find more information about the NHS Leadership Academy's Healthcare Leadership Model and the profiles at their website. We encourage you to look at these resources as they will play a part in the interview process.

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 and the supervision (within agreed timescale).
• Trained in care co-ordination (within agreed timescale).
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Registration with BPS.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• 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 multiagency 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.
• Experience of CBT, DBT, Psychodynamics, systematic therapy.
• Skills in using multimedia materials in presentations.

Knowledge:

• Working with mental health/learning disability clients (depending on designated service area).
• Multi-disciplinary team working.
• Experience of research and audit.
• 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.

General:

• Ability to travel independently across region covered by community 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.