Clinical or Counselling Psychologist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 7 Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join the LEO team. The role is on a 12-month fixed term contract, on full time basis. LEO is a team for people aged 18-65 in Lambeth who have experienced a first episode of psychosis, and as such sits within SLaM’s early intervention for psychosis services. This role represents an excellent opportunity for someone to engage in rich and meaningful direct clinical work and therefore to build on their existing skills as a psychological therapist in early psychosis.

LEO is a nationally and internationally regarded team for first episode psychosis, having been one of the first of its kind in the UK. A large, enthusiastic and caring multidisciplinary team is comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, vocational workers, an advanced practitioner and a team leader, as well as a very well-established psychology team, which includes two family interventions therapists. The primary approach for individual therapy in the team is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), while at the same time clinicians are encouraged to draw upon a range of evidenced intervention approaches, which may include incorporating principles and techniques from ACT, CFT, EMDR and Schema Therapy. Given the high rates of trauma in psychosis groups, our work is trauma informed throughout.

Main duties of the job

-Delivery of individual and family interventions in the context of first episode psychosis, primarily within the framework of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), while drawing on other models and approaches where appropriate, and ensuring that interventions are delivered in such a manner that is both equitable and trauma informed.

-Supporting MDT staff in psychological formulation and case conceptualisation. Contributing to ensuring that the team's work as a whole is psychologically informed where possible, and that psychological perspectives are visible and influential in day to day work at LEO.

-Contribution where appropriate to the team’s pathway for “low intensity” psychological interventions.

-Supervision of more junior psychology staff where appropriate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Clinical and Client Care  To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the LEO service including family work and cognitive behavioural therapies for psychosis.   To formulate psychological treatment plans that are specific to each client and family, based upon an analysis of complex factors contributing to the presentation and selectively drawing on appropriate conceptual and theoretical models.  To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.  To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.    Contributing to team or service clinical functioning      To contribute to the effective working of the LEO service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.  To contribute to the team or service’s delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.  To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.  To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.   Policy and service development    To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.  To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.  To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.  Care or management of resources    To take care of, and use carefully, the Trust’s equipment and physical resources.  To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.    Management and supervision      To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.  To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Course’s Supervision Training.  Teaching and Training  To provide occasional specialist training in psychological approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.  To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.    Record-keeping and Information Governance  To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.  To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.    Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development  To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
• To provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the LEO service including family work and cognitive behavioural therapies for psychosis.
• To formulate psychological treatment plans that are specific to each client and family, based upon an analysis of complex factors contributing to the presentation and selectively drawing on appropriate conceptual and theoretical models.
• To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
• To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
• To contribute to the effective working of the LEO service and to a psychologically informed framework for the service.
• To contribute to the team or service’s delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities.
• To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services.
• To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans.
• To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes.
• To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.
• To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
• To take care of, and use carefully, the Trust’s equipment and physical resources.
• To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed.
• To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of an assistant psychologist if required, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.
• To supervise trainee applied psychologists within own area of specialism after completion of the relevant Training Course’s Supervision Training.
• To provide occasional specialist training in psychological approaches to care to other professions as appropriate.
• To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
• To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures.
• To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
• To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.

Research and service evaluation

• To contribute to the development of services through undertaking service evaluation and audit.

General Responsibilities

• To ensure own Continuing Professional Development

• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of key legislation

A full Job Description and Person Specification is attached to the advert.