Senior Practitioner Psychologist

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Practitioner Psychologist to join our Functional Dissociative Seizures Treatment Service based at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath. The Service provides outpatient neuropsychiatric and psychological assessment and treatment for people diagnosed with Functional Dissociative Seizures. This is an exciting time to join our team as the Service is developing new ways of working, utilizing technology and digital platforms, alongside group and individual therapy.  You will be a key member of the team working closely with our Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, Consultant Neuropsychologist as well as Consultant Neurologists in Acute NHS Trusts to develop  and enhance psychological provision for people with Functional Seizures. Prior experience of working with functional neurological disorders, functional seizures and dissociation is preferrable.

Main duties of the job

You will provide psychological assessment, formulation and interventions to people with a confirmed diagnosis of functional dissociative seizures. Interventions will draw on the latest evidence base, including CBT, EMDR and group interventions, as well as low intensity guided self-help. This role will provide supervision to psychology trainees and psychiatrists undertaking their therapy placement.  You will also be part of service innovations and developments, working with clinical colleagues across Trusts in the development of pathways for people with Functional Symptoms. The role is integral to supporting understanding of functional seizures across health services, and there are regular opportunities to provide training and consultation to physical health and mental health teams.

You will be part of the wider Clinical Health Psychology Service, joining at an exciting time of innovation and growth in the wider NHS as physical health services look to further integrate psychological principles and practices into their care pathways. We are committed to staff development and regular managerial, clinical and professional supervision will be provided. To support professional development the Trust offers a wide range of CPD opportunity and peer supervisions.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As an 8a Senior Practitioner Psychologist, you will provide high-quality psychological assessments, interventions and consultation services for clients, families and staff, drawing on significant experience and possible post-registration training. You will develop specialist expertise tailored to the service's needs, which, alongside functional dissociative seizures may include mood and anxiety disorders, or complex emotional needs.

You will contribute to the delivery of evidence-based psychological care within a multidisciplinary team, ensuring the psychological needs of clients are met effectively and in accordance with the highest standards of practice. You will also have a key role in the supervision of more junior staff, such as assistant psychologists and trainees, while also contributing to service development and research.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for details.

Essential

Qualifications:

Post-graduate doctoral level training in applied psychology as approved by the HCPC, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.

Knowledge/ Experience:

Experience in highly specialist psychological assessment and treatment across a range of settings

Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology, design and complex data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of applied psychology.

Experience working with diverse client groups across the lifespan, addressing a wide range of clinical severities, and maintaining a high degree of professionalism in challenging situations.

Skilled in teaching, training and/or supervision.

Experience of applying psychology in different cultural contexts and working within a multicultural framework.

Experience or demonstrable knowledge of working with the particular client group served by the team/service.

We are happy to speak about the role, so for more information please contact Dr Jane Vinnicombe, Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist [email protected].