Clinical Psychologist

Job summary

The Walton Centre isseeking two permanent Band 7 Clinical Psychologists to provide psychological support to patientsand families within the Cheshire and MerseysideRehabilitation Network. The CMRNholds an outstanding reputation for the delivery of specialist rehabilitationservices across a pathway from hyper-acute to community services. The CMRN uniquely providessupport to a diverse range ofindividuals with complexphysical and/or brain injuries, based upon patient need, rather than diagnosis.

The post holder would join an established, warm and supportive network-wide Psychology team,led by a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist with QiCN registration. The postholder would be based in one of our two community teams, either St Helens andKnowsley or Liverpool, Sefton and Southport.

Psychological input isextremely varied and can include direct work with patients and families,including therapeutic work, neuropsychological assessment and working as partof a highly skilled clinical team. There is the opportunity to draw from anumber of psychological models. There is a strong emphasis on person centredapproaches and MDT consultation/systemic work.

The post providesopportunity for development in neuropsychological working, with access tospecialist supervision with a QCiN registered Consultant Neuropsychologist,where required.

Main duties of the job

This role requiresthat the successful applicant (see job description for fulldetail):

Provides evidence-based direct and indirectpsychological/neuropsychological assessment and intervention of patientsand families within and across the Cheshire and Merseyside RehabilitationNetwork.

To provideclinical supervision to assistant psychologists, where required, and supportto other clinicalmembers of the psychology team and wider MDT, asrequired.

Engages in effective team working,attending relevant multi-disciplinary meetings, clinical meetings ( goal setting; best interests) and network-wide Psychology meetings.

Utilisesregular clinical supervision to ensure high quality and safe practice.

Toapply and maintain skills acquired through further training and experience to continueprofessional development.

To work autonomously withinprofessional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practicewithin the service/wards.

About us

The Walton CentreNHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for theInvestors in People we invest in people and we invest in wellbeingstandards and has been awarded Gold status for both. TheWalton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology andneurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everythingwe do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providingcomprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services weare proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission(CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originallyformed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

Witharound 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incrediblydedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal andneurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site inFazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treatinginjuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves andmuscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-termneurological conditions.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Role summary

Job summary:

To provide clinical and neuropsychological input for patients with complex rehabilitation needs as a part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN). To conduct specialist neuropsychological and psychological assessments with patients and manage own specialist caseload. To deliver evidence-based interventions based upon clinical formulation. To engage in effective MDT working and provide consultation and support to other clinical members of the team, where required. To work autonomously within the professional guideline and undertake regular supervision, with the opportunity for clinical supervision of others.

Key responsibilities

Clinical

To possess knowledge and skills of a range of psychological theories in the area of neuropsychology and clinical psychology.

To apply clinical skills to assess, formulate, treat and evaluate a range of neuropsychological and psychological difficulties.

To provide interpretation of a range of neuropsychological and psychological assessment measures in relation to work with complex neuropsychological difficulties.

To provide group psychoeducation or intervention with specific patient groups.

To provide a high standard of care to a personal caseload of patients who have a neurological condition, acquired brain injury or other complex injury.

To work in collaboration with members of multidisciplinary teams, members of other disciplines and outside agencies.

To receive regular clinical supervision.

Communication

To possess developed communication skills to convey highly complex and sensitive information clearly and effectively, both written and verbal forms to patients, families, carers, MDT members, professionals from other disciplines, outside agencies and general practitioners.

To possess developed communication skills to facilitate work with patients some with complex physical, sensory, communication, intellectual or behavioural difficulties.

To possess relevant clinical skills to manage potentially hostile or challenging behaviours exhibited by patients, family members or carers.

Teaching/training

Provide clinical supervision for assistant psychologists and/or volunteers, as required/appropriate.

To support colleagues in supervising specialist placements for trainee clinical psychologists.

To support in the delivery of training on a variety of neuropsychological and psychological topics for team members and other professionals.

To undertake training as necessary, in line with the development of the post, alongside adhering to Trust mandatory training requirements.

Research, audit and governance

There may be an opportunity to undertake clinically relevant research and audit.

To participate in the evaluation of clinical interventions to determine effectiveness.

To maintain and promulgate the highest standards of clinical record keeping and exercise professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice of the British Psychological Society, HCPC and Trust policies and procedures.

Administration

To maintain clinical records to agreed standards.

To maintain all records of activity according to specific criteria.

Propose changes to policy and procedure.

Other

To maintain specialist clinical academic knowledge through CPD activity.

To attend regular meetings and presentations relating to service.

Make full use of IT packages and Trust databases (reasonable adjustments will be made for employees who ate unable to comply due to sensory impairment).

To ensure day to day activities embrace sustainability and reduce environmental impact where feasible.

To perform any other reasonable duties of a similar kind, appropriate to the grade, which may be required by the Principal Clinical Psychologist/Consultant Psychologist/Rehab Network Manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Doctor of Clinical Psychology as accredited by HCPC including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology. Competence in two or more distinct psychological approaches to assessment, formulation and treatment. Registration with The Health & Care Professions Council as a Practitioner Psychologist.

Desirable

Evidence of continuing professional development Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.

Experience

Essential

Experience of Neuropsychological assessment and intervention with neurological conditions/acquired brain injury. Possess communication skills to convey sensitive information. Significant experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care. Ability to work cohesively with a wider MDT. Able to use clinical judgement to assess clinical risk and patient safety. Possess and apply advanced range of psychological theories in the areas of health psychology, clinical psychology counselling psychology and Neuropsychology. Ability to identify and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours. Experience of audit and research. Excellent interpersonal skills and able to undertake frequent episodes of intense concentration. Able to facilitate the integrations of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify areas for service development. Able to organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills. Facilitate and manage change in a clinical environment effectively.

Desirable

Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and facilitating clinical supervision. Skills in providing consultation to other professionals and non-professional groups.

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