Job Summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative psychologist who is passionate about working with people with learning disabilities. The post is full time. The CLDT is a Mon-Fri 9-5 service covering the whole city of Plymouth. You will join a supportive team of psychologists within a psychologically minded co-located MDT with commitments to CPD and supervision, opportunities to develop your skills and improve outcomes for service users.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced psychologist OR someone with less experience looking to develop in the field of learning disabilities. The post holder will be confident and able to provide formulation, assessment and intervention (at a 1:1 and systemic level) to understand and address a wide range of presenting issues for people with learning disabilities, their families, and the systems around them. They will show or develop skill in undertaking complex assessments including capacity, risk and neuropsychological assessments, and will also have an understanding of trauma informed working. They will apply or develop compassionate leadership skills to support the CLDT team and providers.
Progression from band 7 to 8a is subject to being able to evidence that all criteria required for the role are met. This will be regularly reviewed, and supported through mentoring and training. We anticipate that full competency will be achieved within 18-36 months. Should competencies not be achieved, they will remain in the post at B7.
Main Duties of the Job
Our cohesive team of Psychologists provide a specialist Clinical Psychology service to service users aged 18+ with a Learning Disability. The person will be responsible for formulation, assessment & intervention with their own caseload of clients with a variety of complex issues including mental ill-health, risky & distressed behaviours, trauma history impacting on personality, autism spectrum disorders & neurological problems including dementia. This includes families & paid carers in a wide range of independent sector provision. There will be opportunities to contribute to groups & innovative clinical interventions, as part of a full MDT. You will be encouraged to focus on professional development & research in relation to people with learning disabilities, including co-produced research. You will contribute to teaching & clinical supervision at the CLDT & at the University of Plymouth.
Progression from B7 to B8a is subject to all criteria required for the role having been met, including that they have completed LSW training, experience supervising assistant & trainee psychologists & other professionals; post qualification training in an area relevant to the role; lead on teaching/training for a range of professionals; leading on consultations & working with increasingly complex presentations is expected. If you already have significant band 7 post qualification experience, then the progression time may be reduced.
About Us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values, kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job Responsibilities
Locality - MHWB
Job Title - Clinical Psychologist Development Opportunity
Pay Band - B7 preceptorship with potential move to 8a after competencies achieved
Base and Service - Westbourne Unit, Community Learning Disability Team
Line managed by - Kathy McKay/Joanne Porter
Professional Lead - Dr. Joanne Porter & Dr. Kathy McKay, Consultant Clinical Psychologists
Dimensions and Context of Role
The CLDT is a Mon to Fri 9-5 service covering the whole city of Plymouth. The CLDT is a full multi-disciplinary team, where Psychology is very valued. Whilst the CLDT is co-located, including with social care colleagues, the work requires liaison with many different independent sector providers of residential, day and respite care.
The post-holder is an autonomous practitioner covering the whole catchment area. They are required to undertake highly specialist psychological assessments and interventions with people with learning disabilities, and work closely with the MDT.
The successful post-holder would be joining a cohesive Psychology Team that includes two Lead Clinical Psychologists, two other qualified Psychologists, and honorary and paid assistants. We also work closely with our PBS colleagues and wider MDT.
The developmental nature of this post is such that there is scope for progression to a Band 8a, two to three years post-qualification.
Key Tasks & Responsibilities of the Post
Clinical Skills
* To develop & deliver highly specialised individual treatment plans for service users with learning disabilities & complex psychological problems.
* To integrate & interpret complex data from a variety of sources including psychological & neuropsychological assessments.
* To overcome barriers to communication when working with clients who may be fearful or unable to articulate their problems.
* To possess & practice high-level communication skills in situations of emotional distress.
* To contribute a psychosocial perspective within the multidisciplinary team.
* Liaise & work in partnership with other health service providers.
* To identify & complete formal psychometric assessments.
* To communicate psychological formulations & treatment plans to clients & professionals.
* To manage the emotional impact of working with clients in crisis.
* To ensure receipt of clinical & personal supervision.
Policy & Service Development
* To contribute to psychological aspects of policy development within the CLDT.
* To contribute to the development & monitoring of performance of the psychology service.
* To attend psychology meetings regularly.
Human Resources
* To contribute to the development, evaluation & monitoring of the teams operational policies.
* To maintain high standards of record keeping for trainee clinical psychologists.
* To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation and local policies.
* To advise the Leads for Clinical Psychology on service aspects needing addressing.
* To ensure high professional standards through participation in CPD training.
Teaching, Training & Supervision
* To contribute to the supervision of trainees from the Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology.
* To provide appropriate supervision and training for Assistant and Honorary Assistant Psychologists.
* To contribute to teaching on the postgraduate Doctoral Courses in Clinical Psychology.
* To provide clinical supervision to non-clinical psychology members as appropriate.
* To participate in mandatory training.
* To ensure high professional standards through active participation in CPD training.
Research & Development
* To conduct and supervise research relevant to the provision of specialist psychological services.
* To undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to staff.
* To contribute to Clinical and Research Governance activity.
* To contribute to project management, including complex audit and research projects.
* To prepare and present information from audits, evaluations, and research.
Information Technology
* To maintain and develop office systems and procedures within the clinical psychology service.
* To use a range of software packages including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and SPSS.
* To ensure that SystmOne databases are kept up to date.
The full Job Description can be found within the supporting documents section, including the 8a Job Description and Person Spec. #J-18808-Ljbffr