Clinical Psychologist

Job overview

Permanent 1WTE (37.5hrs) Acute Inpatient Senior Clinical or Counselling Psychologist (8a or b 7 preceptorship for newly qualified applicants)  at Harplands Hospital (opportunities for agile & flexible working)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a permanent Psychologist or Senior Psychologist to work in our Acute & Urgent Care Directorate (A&UC). The post will be based at Harplands Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent across two adult acute inpatient units- one mixed-sex ward & one male-only ward. Both wards are working towards the Quality Network for Inpatient Working Age Mental Health Services (QNWA) accreditation & have recently undergone a refurbishment to improve the therapeutic environments & to reduce bed occupancy.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will work alongside a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist & four Assistant Psychologists based at the same location. Within the A&UC there are further Principal and Assistant Psychologists within Older People wards, Crisis Care & Mental Health Liaison. The service frequently hosts Trainee Clinical Psychologists from Staffordshire University.

This role will encompass high quality direct work which will include psychological assessments, formulations, group work & brief therapeutic work. The role will also include indirect work & consultation to develop a more psychologically informed understanding of patient presentations. Moreover, the post holder will inform intervention plans by being actively engaged in supervision, reflective practice sessions, CISM (critical incident stress management) support sessions, service development in addition to facilitating teaching & training

There are opportunities to develop skills in leadership & consultation, as well as nurturing psychological mindedness within the team & embedding psychologically informed ways of working. There are a number of CPD opportunities available (internal training programme alongside a ring-fenced support for Psychology training) to enable you to further develop skills. The A&UC Psychology meets for regular team meetings & complex case discussions.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We are open to applications from those approaching the end of training & newly qualified Psychologists looking for a Band 7 role. The successful candidate will be supported via a preceptorship process to progress from a Band 7 to a Band 8a over a period of 18- 24 months dependent on experience & attainment of the needed competencies. However, we also welcome more experienced Psychologists looking for a Band 8a post or looking to change settings.

• Provides highly specialist psychological assessment of clients with highly complex conditions based on the appropriate use, interpretation & integration of data from a variety of sources.
• Responsible for recognising the potential for or signs of client harm, abuse or neglect, including poor clinical practice, reporting all such concerns & taking all reasonable steps to protect the client. Responsible for identifying & reporting concerns regarding the safeguarding of children who may be at risk.
• Undertakes risk assessment & risk management for individual clients & provides specialist advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment & risk management.
• Formulates plans for highly specialist psychological work &/or management of clients’ mental health conditions based upon an appropriate conceptual framework & evidence-based practice. Negotiates the implementation of such plans with clients &/or their carers.
• Implements the use of highly skilled psychological formulations for individual clients, carers, staff, families & groups, adjusting & refining psychological formulations as required.

To read more information about the advertised role, & the full details of the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description & Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. JD & PS are available for both 7 & 8a band roles.

Band 7 Salary is £ 41,659- £ 47,672per annum

Band 8A Salary is £ 48,526- £ 54,619per annum

We would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with any interested candidates, & informal visits are very welcomed. Please contact Dr Ann Kilanska (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) for further information at [email protected] or call 07977364339. Dr Kim Fisher (the current post holder) can also be contacted for an informal discussion on [email protected]

You can also read more information about working at the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust in the document below or by visiting our website:  https://www.combined.nhs.uk/working-together/join-our-team/