8a Clinical

We are seeking an enthusiastic Clinical Psychologist (or Counselling Psychologist with suitable experience) to work in partnership with the West Essex Community Pain Management Service (WECPMS). We are a small and friendly multidisciplinary team of clinicians with a shared dedication and passion for supporting people living with a persistent musculoskeletal pain problem, to live well with their pain and to reach their full potential based around their personal values. Our service promotes a holistic approach to pain management as recommended in all guidance for the management of persistent pain. We have a whole person approach encompassing physical, psychological, social, environmental and spiritual components. The team currently consists of consultant anaesthetists, physiotherapists and nurses. We work closely with our pharmacy colleagues and the wider teams within the area we cover. We very much welcome a psychologist to the team who shares our holistic and compassionate approach.

Access to specialist Psychology is an essential element in managing persistent pain. An ability to address common barriers to self-management, such as low mood or self-esteem and to work with people struggling with adaptation and behaviour change, often in adverse social circumstances, is essential.

The post holder will be integral in delivering improved care & treatment outcomes for adults with persistent pain, through providing training, supervision & consultation in psychological skills and risk management, as well as holding a patient caseload for individual and group therapy. You will ensure that the most appropriate treatments are offered at the right times with service-user satisfaction at the forefront of all interventions.

You will provide specialist assessment clinics in community settings, to support team members in developing individual psychological formulations, and contribute to the fortnightly multi-disciplinary meetings. You also will develop group-based psychological interventions utilising evidence-based approaches incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy. We will encourage and support you to maintain and build strong links with local NHS Talking Therapies services, Integrated Mental Health Practitioners within the local Primary Care Networks, secondary care mental health services and with the psychiatric liaison services.

The post is embedded both within the WECPMS and the EPUT Clinical Health Psychology team. The CHP team includes Psychologists in multiple health settings, creating a specialist peer support network. You will receive clinical supervision from an experienced Principal Clinical Psychologist and be managed by the Lead for Clinical Health Psychology Services in West Essex.

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
Season Ticket Loans

NHS discounts for staff

Excellent Training facilities and opportunities

Buying and Selling annual leave scheme

The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas

Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work

Day One Flexible Employer

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for detailed insight into the main responsibilities for this role.

Working within the Clinical Health Psychology (CHP) service, you will benefit from being part of the large and well-established Psychological Services Care Unit within the Trust. EPUT Psychological Services offers excellent opportunities for training and development and has a track record of supporting newly qualified staff through preceptorships and further training. The CHP Service enjoys good links with local universities and offers placements to Clinical Psychology trainees from the University of Hertfordshire and University of Essex. Clinical research, teaching and specialised interests are actively encouraged.