Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and competent Band 8A Psychologist to join an expanding Community Forensic Psychology Service. This is an exciting area of forensic services to work in; forensic community teams across the country are being expanded and invested in, consistent with the NHS Long Term Plan. This post is a consequence of additional funding which recognises the importance of psychological input for forensic service users who are stepping down into less restrictive settings and back into the community.
The post holder would join a well-established and well respected forensic team: NELFT's low-secure forensic unit, Morris ward, has ranked first in the UK and Ireland according the Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services (QNFMHS).
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide assessment and evidence-based interventions to service users presenting with complex mental health issues including psychosis, trauma histories and substance misuse, in addition to offending behaviour. Interventions will include individual, group, and family work. The post holder will work mainly with service users in the community but some work with inpatient service users and teams may be required. This post would suit someone with a strong interest in multidisciplinary working and working with wider systems including family and carers. The role will require creative and innovative input including offering consultation to forensic and non-forensic colleagues. Good applicants would be passionate about addressing discrimination and inequalities and have an awareness of how this affects mental health, recovery and risk.
This job will require direct face to face working with service users. This post will involve travel between sites within the areas served by NELFT.
The boroughs covered by the Trust are very diverse and we would actively encourage applicants to apply who represent this diversity.
About us
The psychology department is friendly, supportive and innovative: You would have good access to CPD opportunities across the Trust. We actively support the development of leadership skills and aim to nurture our staff and support them in their development. Members of the wider psychology department have strong links to academic institutions and are engaged in research and teaching.
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).
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).
Job responsibilities
Clinical Skills
* To provide specialist psychological assessment of service users referred to the Forensic Psychology Service, based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources.
* To undertake specialist forensic risk assessments and risk management relevant to individual service users.
* To implement a range of specialist psychological interventions for individual service users and groups in the forensic service.
* To make skilled evaluations to formulate and implement plans for the treatment and management of service users' mental health difficulties.
* To be responsible for developing a formulation of the service users' psychological and mental health difficulties using different theoretical models.
* To provide specialist individual, family and group psychological therapies with clinical autonomy.
* To evaluate and make decisions about treatment options.
* To exercise professional responsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of service users.
* To work jointly and collaboratively with other team members.
* To provide specialist consultation, advice and guidance to other professionals.
* To maintain clinical records and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
* To actively work to make psychology research, theory, formulations and clinical work accessible to colleagues.
Leadership
* To participate as an experienced clinician in the development of a high quality, responsive and accessible service.
* To exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological therapies practice.
* To participate as appropriate in staff recruitment.
* To participate in the development of an effective team.
* To take an active interest in working parties and groups within the Trust.
* To participate in the audit process.
* To advise, encourage and share knowledge.
Administration
* To be computer literate and encourage implementation of the Trust's IM&T Strategy.
* To ensure accurate recording of actions, and updating service users records.
* To take part in the planning and administration relating to day to day running of the caseload.
Communication
* To communicate and relate at the highest level where complex formulations need to be developed.
* To communicate effectively, orally and in writing at a highly technical and clinically sensitive level.
Teaching, Training and Supervision
* Provide structured supervision and training to community and inpatient teams.
* To organise and provide psychology groups in line with research and service and training needs.
* To provide clinical supervision as agreed by the Lead Psychologist.
* To act as a highly specialist psychologist by providing supervision, consultation and training.
* To support and supervise honorary staff in training.
* To ensure own continued professional development.
* To undertake own mandatory training.
* To support new staff and their integration within the team.
Research and Service Evaluation
* To use theory and research to inform evidence-based practice.
* To undertake or participate in relevant clinical research, service evaluation and audit.
* To undertake project management including complex audit and service evaluation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Doctoral qualification in psychology (clinical or counselling or forensic psychology) accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
* Professional registration with the HCPC.
Desirable
* Qualification in more than one modality of psychology.
* Recognised qualification and training in supervision.
Experience
Essential
* Substantial, relevant post-qualification clinical experience in working with serious mental health difficulties.
* Experience of psychological clinical work in forensic services.
* Experience of offering supervision, teaching, training and consultation.
Knowledge
Essential
* Advanced knowledge and skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment and treatment.
* Knowledge of forensic risk assessment and its importance.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies.
* Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and its application to forensic clinical groups.
* An awareness of NHS Plan, NSF and clinical governance priorities.
Desirable
* Knowledge and experience of working with individuals with a diagnosis of Learning Disability/Difficulty.
Skills
Essential
* Communication and relationship skills of the highest level.
* Highly developed skills in providing consultation to other professionals and teams.
* Ability to engage in highly complex thinking and formulation.
* Capacity to implement policy and to proactively contribute to their development.
* Ability to build effective relationships across teams.
* Ability to work autonomously.
* Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
* IT skills sufficient to write reports and enter data.
Desirable
* Record of publication in peer reviewed journals.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Employer name
NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address
Goodmayes Hospital
157 Barley Lane
Ilford
IG3 8XJ #J-18808-Ljbffr