Senior Psychologist for Waltham Forest Psychiatric Liaison Service
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 8A Senior Counselling or Clinical Psychologist to join Waltham Forest's Psychiatric Liaison Service team. Based at Whipps Cross University Hospital, the successful candidate will use psychological skills to assess, formulate, treat and signpost patients presenting with complex mental health issues in the emergency department and general wards of the hospital. The role involves close liaison with multi disciplinary colleagues throughout the hospital, NELFT's Acute and Rehabilitation Directorate and other services within Waltham Forest and beyond.
• Participating in the development and implementation of high standards of clinical care in the psychiatric liaison team environment, working with people who present with high levels of distress, risk and in some cases challenging behaviour. The post holder will ensure the psychology service provided is needs led, compliant with national guidance and is viewed positively by service users.
• Supporting the multidisciplinary Psychiatric Liaison team in their work with frequent users of accident and emergency services.
• Exercising clinical responsibility for undertaking psychological assessment, brief crisis-focussed psychological treatment and onward care planning of people in crisis and their families in consultation with the psychiatric liaison multi-disciplinary team.
• Support the psychiatric liaison team in their work through psychological consultation, training and shared formulations to contribute to the development of staff and improving the quality of service provided to service-users with mental health difficulties accessing accident and emergency.
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
Starting with NELFT
NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,313 to a maximum of £5,436 p.a. pro rata for part time).
High Cost Area Supplement - Fringe
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £1,192 to a maximum of £2,011 p.a. pro rata for part time).
§ To ensure the provision of high quality specialist psychological assessment to service-users presenting to psychiatric liaison services in psychological distress.
§ To ensure that specialist assessments are utilised to support the Acute and Rehabilitation Directorate to develop a crisis care plan that safely reduces risk and supports to service-user to reduce the current crisis and use of crisis services.
§ To offer support to the psychiatric liaison multidisciplinary team regarding the management of frequent users and people in psychological distress.
§ To ensure the provision of brief high quality specialist psychological treatment to service-users and their families in psychiatric liaison services. Treatments will include evidence-based treatments for depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, substance misuse, long-term conditions and personality disorder within the context of a general hospital (A&E department and inpatient wards).
§ To work closely and intensely with service-users identified by the Acute and Rehabilitation Directorate as frequent users of crisis services and requiring specialist input from psychological therapy.
§ To offer clinical supervision and consultation based on psychological knowledge and skills.
§ To utilise research skills for audit, measuring outcomes and contributing to research and training within the areas served by the team and service.
§ To be involved in service developments, as appropriate.
§ To work within professional guidelines and Inpatient and Acute policies and procedures.
1. To act as a highly specialist Psychologist by providing supervision, consultation and training including academic presentations to the team members and to other agencies.
2. To ensure own continued professional development, in line with BPS and HCPC guidelines.
3. To undertake own mandatory training.
4. To undertake a regular appraisal, developing a personal development plan that includes clinical competencies reflecting the health needs of the local population and relates to Trust strategy.
Research and Service Evaluation
1. To use theory and research to inform evidence based practice in work with groups, individuals, and their networks in line with current and best practice.
2. To undertake or participate in relevant clinical research, service evaluation and audit in line with service objectives.
3. To undertake project management including complex audit and service evaluation with colleagues within the service to help develop service provision.
General and Professional
1. To ensure the development, maintenance and dissemination of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programs in accordance with Trust’s clinical governance standards and the codes of practice and ethical guidelines of professional registration body.
2. To contribute to the development of best professional practice in psychology by taking part in regular supervision and appraisal and maintaining awareness of current developments in the field.
3. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with professional codes of practice.
4. To maintain HCPC registration.
5. To maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to both the specific service user group and mental health.
Computer/Administration
1. To be computer literate and encourage implementation of the Trust’s IM&T Strategy.
2. To ensure accurate recording of actions, and updating patient’s records, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
3. To take part, and assist, in the planning and administration relating to day to day running of the caseload.
This advert closes on Monday 10 Feb 2025