Preceptorship Band 7 to 8a: Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology in Birmingham

Due to an internal promotion, we have an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Psychologist with an interest in Neuropsychology and rehabilitation to join our team. It is a great time to be joining us as we develop our services across inpatient, outpatient and community settings.

This position is offered as a band 7 to 8a preceptorship with support to progress to band 8a once appropriate competencies have been achieved. The role involves neuropsychological assessment and intervention within multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation teams through work with patients, families and carers, and by supporting the work of multidisciplinary colleagues.

The post holder will join a team of Psychologists working within physical health and rehabilitation. They will supervise and support the psychological assessments and therapy provided by Assistant Psychologists and Trainees as well as others who provide psychologically based care and treatment. The postholder will utilise research skills for research audit, policy and service developments and propose policy changes within the service and the broader multidisciplinary team.

• Neuropsychological assessment, formulation and intervention within neurorehabilitation services with patients, families and carers.
• Interdisciplinary working with colleagues to support the progression of rehabilitation interventions.
• Supporting the development of psychologically-informed practice in services.
• Assessment and management of risk.
• Research, audit and evaluation of services.
• Teaching, training and supervision.

Birmingham is a vibrant, rich, ethnically diverse city, with a large population of young people. Join Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) where more than 5000 members of staff work across Birmingham and the West Midlands to deliver a wide range of community and specialist healthcare services.

The Psychology Service offers support and close links with other psychologists through facilitated reflective practice groups, CPD events and team meetings. There are good links with the local DClinPsy training courses and the MSCi pathway at Birmingham and Coventry Universities.

To provide specialist psychological assessments of clients referred to the team based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests which require complex manipulation and timing skills, self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and others involved in the client’s care.

To develop complex formulation and implement plans for the formal psychological treatment and/or management of a client’s complex psychological problems, based upon an appropriate conceptual framework of the client’s problems, using highly developed specialist knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices, across the full range of care settings. Frequent and intense concentration is required.

To be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventions for individuals, carers, families and groups, adjusting and refining psychological formulations drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number of provisional hypotheses.

To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of clients whose problems are managed by psychologically based standard care plans.

To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals contributing directly to clients’ formulation, diagnosis and treatment plan.

Qualifications: Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS. HCPC Registered. Pre-qualification training and qualifications in research methodology, staff training and/or other fields of applied psychology.

Experience: Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across the full range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings. Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse. Experience of the application of clinical psychology in different cultural contexts. Experience working in a neuropsychology and/or physical health setting.

Skills: Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration. Well developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups. Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology. Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups (e.g. personality disorder, dual diagnoses, people with additional disabilities etc).

Personal Qualities: Self-motivated. Positive, energetic, enthusiastic in outlook and able to set a good example. Ability to manage under pressure; work to tight deadlines, evidencing excellent time management. Able to work independently or as part of a team.

Other job requirements: Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multimedia materials suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings. Ability to work within a multicultural framework. Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour. Ability to reach scheduled appointments across the city in a timely fashion. Ability to travel independently Trustwide.

In accordance with UK Home Office requirements, Band 2 clinical and non-clinical roles and Band 3 Non-Clinical roles are not eligible for sponsorship. Please note that the majority of non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Band 3 - 6) with the exception of those which appear on this list will not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. All non-clinical roles (Agenda for Change Bands 7 - 9) that meet the prescribed skill level (RQF 6) and salary threshold will be eligible for sponsorship.

The Trust will accept applications from candidates who can evidence their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes.

Disability Confident Employer and Guaranteed Interview Scheme: BCHC offers a guaranteed interview to any candidate who is Disabled, Neurodiverse, has a hidden or long term health condition as recognised under the Equality Act 2010, providing they meet the essential criteria of the job role, as set out in the person specification. We encourage applicants to submit their applications and to request any reasonable adjustments where required.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: As part of our ongoing commitment to being a Great Place to Work, we actively foster and support a workplace culture that is inclusive and equitable for all staff, patients and service users. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with diverse abilities, experiences, and perspectives.

Promoting Workforce Equality: In response to data held by BCHC which demonstrates that individuals from particular protected characteristics are under-represented, BCHC are striving to redress these imbalances. In order to do this, the Trust is committed to the employment and career development of individuals with these protected characteristics.

DBS Costs: Please be aware that all new employees starting work with the Trust will be charged for the cost of their DBS check if it is required for the role. The cost will be deducted from your salary in 3 payments over a 3-month period once you start employment.

Flexible Working: Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BCHC) supports a variety of flexible working practices and, where possible, will actively consider requests made and support these where practically possible.

The Trust is committed to facilitating a healthy work/life balance that is essential to health and wellbeing and to making BCHC a ‘Great Place to Work’. We will be happy to discuss and consider all requests relating to working patterns and hours at your interview so please do ask!