Paediatric Diabetes Clinical Psychologist in Dudley

At The Dudley Group, we understand the benefits of offering a range of flexible working options from day one of employment to support both employees and the Trust. Offering flexible working opportunities is one of the ways that the Trust aims to attract and retain a diverse workforce. Further information on the options available can be found via the link in the job advert.

We are looking to appoint an experienced Paediatric Diabetes Clinical Psychologist at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Clinical Psychologist. Collaboration is key and you will work closely with our motivated diabetes team which includes Consultant Paediatricians, Specialist Nurses, Dietitians and a Youth Worker. In this role, you'll be at the forefront of providing support and guidance to children, young people and families. From running engaging group sessions to offering individualised assistance, you'll help tackle challenges such as needle phobia, fear of hypos, diabetes burnout and low self-esteem. You'll also provide invaluable support to individuals and families, addressing the impact of diabetes on their overall well-being and helping them navigate the intersection of psychological health and diabetes care.

If you're ready to be a part of a compassionate team, driving positive change in the lives of children and young people we want to hear from you. We actively encourage informal visits and discussions with Jo Elford, Lead Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse.

The successful candidate will have proven Psychology experience at an advanced level in a healthcare setting. You will have an extensive clinical skill set and be confident in working independently. We are looking for a motivated and flexible individual and able to articulate complex clinical issues whilst at the same time discuss diagnosis and treatment options to patients in a sensitive and informative way. You must be a HCPC registered practitioner psychologist and have experience of working with clients who have long-term health conditions. The post holder will be expected to work across various sites including Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley Guest Hospital and community-based sites across the Dudley Borough. You will be required to deliver psychological interventions including 1:1 psychology sessions, working alongside physiotherapy and nursing colleagues as well as group-based interventions such as structured education programmes to help support CYP to manage their diabetes effectively. You will be expected to provide some clinical leadership for aspects of the psychology component to the service. You will be expected to be an active member of the team in audits and service development.

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Qualifications & Education

• BSc/BA Honours degree at 2:1 or above in Psychology
• Post Graduate Doctorate in Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Post qualification training in specific, evidence-based techniques for use with clients with complex psychological presentations and/or physical health difficulties, across the age span
• Eligible for registration as a Chartered Psychologist (Clinical, Counselling or Health) by the BPS
• Eligible for registration as a Practitioner member of the BPS Division of Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychology
• Registered with HCPC as a Clinical/Counselling/Health Psychologist

Communication & Relationship Skills

• Highly developed and effective communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to communicate complex, highly personal and sensitive information to children and young people
• Able to communicate effectively within the team and build good sound working relationships and understand the complexity of delivering support to children, young people and their families
• Advanced ability to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship and manage transference appropriately

Knowledge and Training

• Experience of designing and delivering teaching and training
• Knowledge required specific to the role and clinical area
• Advanced theoretical and applied knowledge of psychological approaches for children and young people with psychological problems including specialised psychological assessments and interventions for patients with complex and psychological presentations and physical health difficulties
• Evidence of regular further professional training and experience as required by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the BPS
• Well developed psychometric assessment skills
• Knowledge of legislation and its implications for clinical practice in relation to the children and young people
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including complex multivariate data analysis, as practiced within the field of Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychology
• Ability to use IT equipment and programmes, including the use of internet to carry out literature searches for research purposes, databases and patient information systems
• A commitment to continued professional development, to partnership working and to reflective clinical practice
• Training study days or conferences relating to physical health conditions
• Able to think strategically; to consider the wider picture for developing specialist services long term and planning developments
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological interventions for in physical healthcare settings

Experience

• Experience in working with people who have physical health difficulties
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working as a qualified Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychologist within a relevant area
• Sufficient training and experience to be recognised by the Division of Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychology as a suitably qualified psychologist to offer clinical placements to trainee Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychologists
• Training and Experience in the application of psychological knowledge across a range of mental health presentations, including physical health
• Experience of assessing and providing a wide range of psychological interventions to patients presenting with the full degree of clinical severity and across a range of clinical mental health presentations
• Experience of conducting clinically relevant research
• Experience of working with, and maintaining professionalism in the face of, highly emotive and distressing problems
• Experience of multi-agency/multidisciplinary working
• Experience of teaching, training and professional and clinical supervision.
• Therapeutic expertise in working with groups/carers/families
• Experience of consultation to non-psychology staff
• Experience of strategic planning and service development
• Experience of teaching and training psychologists in a Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychology doctorate training course

Planning & Organisational Skills

• Able to prioritise own work and deal with competing demands to work effectively

Physical Skills

• Able to travel across Dudley Group sites as required and potentially in children’s homes
• Ability to work autonomously within scope of practice and levels of competence
• Ability to work independently as an autonomous practitioner with appropriate level of clinical and managerial supervision and maintain awareness of own limitations
• Enthusiastic, proactive and interested in service development and team working

Equality and Diversity

The Trust is committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity, ensuring a workforce representative of the population served. All qualified candidates are welcome to apply.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit contact: Jo Elford Lead Nurse – Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse [email protected] 01384 456111 ext 3148