Practitioner Psychologist, Psychotherapist & Psychological Therapist

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 8a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join the LEO team, in the role of Highly Specialist Psychological Therapist. The role is on a permanent contract, on a part time basis: three days per week (22.5 hours). 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 with clients and their families, as well as further developing existing abilities relating to supervision, leadership and service development.

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.

-Management and supervision relating to the team’s pathway for “low intensity” psychological interventions.

-Supervision of more junior psychology staff, including clinical psychologists in training.

-Contributing in innovative ways to service development in LEO, to ensure that the team continues be informed by new developments in the field and as such remains a reference point for other services of its kind.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical and Client Care

• Provide specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients within the LEO Service, including individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
• Deliver culturally appropriate psychological interventions for clients, families and carers.
• Assess, monitor and manage risk, developing appropriate risk management plans.

Team and Service Contribution

• Contribute to the effective functioning of the multidisciplinary team and promote psychologically informed practice.
• Support the delivery of accessible, inclusive and culturally competent services.
• Challenge discrimination and contribute to equality-focused service development.
• Provide specialist psychological advice and consultation to colleagues and partner agencies.
• Liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals to develop and review care plans.
• Apply research, theory and evidence-based practice to clinical work and service delivery.

Service Development

• Implement policies and procedures and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
• Participate in projects that support service development and quality improvement.
• Engage service users in the planning and delivery of local services.

Management, Supervision and Training

• Provide clinical supervision and support to trainee and junior psychologists.
• Contribute to recruitment, appraisal and development processes where appropriate.
• Deliver teaching and training to psychology trainees and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Support the development and sharing of psychological knowledge and best practice.

Information Governance and Research

• Maintain high standards of clinical record keeping, report writing and electronic data management.
• Contribute to audits, service evaluations, outcome measurement and research activities.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based developments within the service.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in regular clinical supervision and continuing professional development.
• Maintain compliance with HCPC standards, BPS guidelines and Trust policies.
• Keep up to date with developments in psychological practice, legislation and mental health care.

General Responsibilities

• Travel across Trust sites and community settings as required.
• Manage challenging or distressing situations professionally and in line with Trust policies.
• Work flexibly, including occasional late clinics or weekend commitments where required.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the detailed job description and main responsibilities of the role.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.