Job summary The post is responsible for the provision of specialist psychological input to the Bedfordshire and Luton Adult Community Eating Disorder Service. This includes provision of psychological assessments, psychological formulations and delivery of psychological interventions to service users and their friends and families, and developing treatment plans and consulting to other members of the eating disorder service, and other statutory and third sector organisations involved in the service user's care plan. The post holder will be involved in supporting service users and facilitating continuity of care before and following inpatient admissions. In addition, the post holder will contribute to service development initiatives and audit. Service users seen by the post holder will include people experiencing severe or complex eating disorders, and may present with high levels of physical and psychiatric risk and with high levels of distress. The post holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines. Assessments and interventions will be delivered at a variety of sites across the County of Bedfordshire and Luton and the post holder will be expected to travel and provide clinics and attend clinical and service meetings throughout the County. Main duties of the job Provide specialist psychological assessments, based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources (including psychological tests, measures/rating scales, direct and indirect observation and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and involved others). Formulate and implement plans for the formal specialist psychological treatment and/or management of mental health problems across a range of care settings, using theoretical knowledge and evidence base to analyse, interpret and compare complex information in order to design specialist programmes of treatment for individuals, groups and families tailored to individual need. Provide expertise and psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other multidisciplinary professionals contributing directly to service users' formulation, diagnosis and service planning. Ensure that multidisciplinary colleagues have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding the care of service users. Undertake risk assessment and management and to provide specialist advice on psychological and eating disorder related aspects of risk assessment and management. Share team responsibility to triage and screen appropriateness of referrals to the eating disorder team. Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, distressing and emotional information in relation to health issues where there are often barriers to acceptance. About us Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations. Date posted 11 April 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 363-BED7085458 Job locations Mountbatten House 56 High Street South Dunstable LU6 3HD Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Provide specialist psychological assessments, based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources (including psychological tests, measures/rating scales, direct and indirect observation and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and involved others). Formulate and implement plans for the formal specialist psychological treatment and/or management of mental health problems across a range of care settings, using theoretical knowledge and evidence base to analyse, interpret and compare complex information in order to design specialist programmes of treatment for individuals, groups and families tailored to individual need. Provide expertise and psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other multidisciplinary professionals contributing directly to service users formulation, diagnosis and service planning. Ensure that multidisciplinary colleagues have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding the care of service users. Undertake risk assessment and management and to provide specialist advice on psychological and eating disorder related aspects of risk assessment and management. Share team responsibility to triage and screen appropriateness of referrals to the eating disorder team. Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, distressing and emotional information in relation to health issues where there are often barriers to acceptance. Improve access and reduce inequality through offering a service mindful of the needs of individuals and families from a wide range of racial, cultural, sexual, religious and social backgrounds and to develop with colleagues innovative ways of communicating and working across language and cultural barriers. Develop working relationships with relevant statutory, voluntary and community groups and organisations. Provide expert consultation about the psychological care of the service user group to external staff and organisations. Record, monitor and report on clinical work and communicating complex clinical information to a variety of recipients, e.g. service users, families and carers, other professionals, formal panels and statutory and voluntary organisations, orally, in writing and/or electronically. Comply with governance systems in place for the provision and monitoring of clinical and professional supervision of qualified and unqualified psychological practitioners across the directorate. Ensure practice within relevant guidelines for professional practice (BPS/HCPC/BABCP etc). Ensure the development, maintenance and development of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes. Administration Agree work/caseload levels with team manager and professional lead, and manage own workload to meet expected activity levels. Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and development planning, identifying and agreeing training needs. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the provision of services. Support service development and quality improvement initiatives within the directorate, in line with directorate priorities and in response to identified local need. Attend regular service meetings to develop and maintain high standards of professional knowledge and practice in services. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings related to service governance and development as required. Management Agree work/caseload levels with team manager and professional lead, and manage own workload to meet expected activity levels. Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and development planning, identifying and agreeing training needs. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the provision of services. Attend regular service meetings to develop and maintain high standards of professional knowledge and practice in services. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings related to service governance and development as required. Human Resources Contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with post-holders professional and team/operational manager(s). To keep abreast of developments in psychological assessment and treatment of people with mental health difficulties through self -directed reading, attendance at CPD events, and through own supervision. Develop knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to adult and older adult mental health. Undergo regular performance appraisal and review. Receive regular clinical professional supervision from a qualified Psychologist in accordance with good practice guidance from the BPS. To contribute to the development of colleagues understanding of psychological aspects of care through informal and formal discussion/presentation. Undertake mandatory training in line with Trust requirements. Performance and Quality Support service development and quality improvement initiatives within the directorate, in line with directorate priorities and in response to identified local need. Support systems for evaluation, monitoring and development of the directorates psychological services to ensure services are delivered in line with Trust policies, national guidance and evidence based practice. Support and contribute to service related and/or academic research within the team. Provide accurate and timely clinical information as required and input into Trust electronic record systems. Use information technology in line with Trust and NHS information governance requirements, and maintain up to date knowledge of systems and governance requirements. Collate and report on information across service area using information systems to a high standard. Financial and Physical Resources Contribute to the responsible management of equipment and resources required for the ongoing provision of a high standard of psychological service to the directorate. Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities Clinical Provide specialist psychological assessments, based on the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complex data from a variety of sources (including psychological tests, measures/rating scales, direct and indirect observation and semi-structured interviews with clients, family members and involved others). Formulate and implement plans for the formal specialist psychological treatment and/or management of mental health problems across a range of care settings, using theoretical knowledge and evidence base to analyse, interpret and compare complex information in order to design specialist programmes of treatment for individuals, groups and families tailored to individual need. Provide expertise and psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other multidisciplinary professionals contributing directly to service users formulation, diagnosis and service planning. Ensure that multidisciplinary colleagues have access to a psychologically based framework for understanding the care of service users. Undertake risk assessment and management and to provide specialist advice on psychological and eating disorder related aspects of risk assessment and management. Share team responsibility to triage and screen appropriateness of referrals to the eating disorder team. Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive, distressing and emotional information in relation to health issues where there are often barriers to acceptance. Improve access and reduce inequality through offering a service mindful of the needs of individuals and families from a wide range of racial, cultural, sexual, religious and social backgrounds and to develop with colleagues innovative ways of communicating and working across language and cultural barriers. Develop working relationships with relevant statutory, voluntary and community groups and organisations. Provide expert consultation about the psychological care of the service user group to external staff and organisations. Record, monitor and report on clinical work and communicating complex clinical information to a variety of recipients, e.g. service users, families and carers, other professionals, formal panels and statutory and voluntary organisations, orally, in writing and/or electronically. Comply with governance systems in place for the provision and monitoring of clinical and professional supervision of qualified and unqualified psychological practitioners across the directorate. Ensure practice within relevant guidelines for professional practice (BPS/HCPC/BABCP etc). Ensure the development, maintenance and development of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes. Administration Agree work/caseload levels with team manager and professional lead, and manage own workload to meet expected activity levels. Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and development planning, identifying and agreeing training needs. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the provision of services. Support service development and quality improvement initiatives within the directorate, in line with directorate priorities and in response to identified local need. Attend regular service meetings to develop and maintain high standards of professional knowledge and practice in services. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings related to service governance and development as required. Management Agree work/caseload levels with team manager and professional lead, and manage own workload to meet expected activity levels. Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and development planning, identifying and agreeing training needs. Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to the provision of services. Attend regular service meetings to develop and maintain high standards of professional knowledge and practice in services. Attend multidisciplinary team meetings related to service governance and development as required. Human Resources Contribute to the development and maintenance of the highest professional standards of practice, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with post-holders professional and team/operational manager(s). To keep abreast of developments in psychological assessment and treatment of people with mental health difficulties through self -directed reading, attendance at CPD events, and through own supervision. Develop knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and issues in relation to adult and older adult mental health. Undergo regular performance appraisal and review. Receive regular clinical professional supervision from a qualified Psychologist in accordance with good practice guidance from the BPS. To contribute to the development of colleagues understanding of psychological aspects of care through informal and formal discussion/presentation. Undertake mandatory training in line with Trust requirements. Performance and Quality Support service development and quality improvement initiatives within the directorate, in line with directorate priorities and in response to identified local need. Support systems for evaluation, monitoring and development of the directorates psychological services to ensure services are delivered in line with Trust policies, national guidance and evidence based practice. Support and contribute to service related and/or academic research within the team. Provide accurate and timely clinical information as required and input into Trust electronic record systems. Use information technology in line with Trust and NHS information governance requirements, and maintain up to date knowledge of systems and governance requirements. Collate and report on information across service area using information systems to a high standard. Financial and Physical Resources Contribute to the responsible management of equipment and resources required for the ongoing provision of a high standard of psychological service to the directorate. Person Specification Education / Qualification / Training Essential Either oDoctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology or equivalence and able to demonstrate eligibility for BPS CPsychol (Chartered Psychologist). HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist. Or both oCore Health/Care Profession (or demonstrated equivalence), with postgraduate level training in a recognised model of psychological therapy (e.g. CBT, CAT) and demonstrated eligibility for accreditation as a practitioner/therapist with the relevant accrediting body (e.g. BABCP/ACAT). And oEvidence of continuing professional development relevant to the specialty as required by professional accrediting/registration body (e.g. BPS/ HCPC/ BABCP/ ACAT). o Desirable Further training or qualifications in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice relevant to the post, e.g. supervision, therapeutic models used in eating disorder etc. Experience Essential oExperience of specialist assessment, formulation and treatment of clients experiencing eating disorders. oExperience of working with a wide variety of client groups, presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of care settings. oExperience in working in multidisciplinary settings and representing a psychological / psychotherapeutic perspective in teams and services. Desirable oExperience of providing teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision. oExperience of the application of psychological interventions in different cultural contexts. oExperience in contributing to service development, redesign and improvements in secondary mental health services. oExperience working in the NHS. Knowledge and skills Essential oHighly developed knowledge of the theory and delivery of specialised psychological practice relevant to eating disorders. oAble to draw upon a theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of highly complex facts and situations, to arrive at appropriate formulation and compare and select from a range of treatment options. oAn in depth knowledge and skills in applying clinical risk assessment and management in own and others' clinical caseload, including eating disorder related risk. oAble to use highly specialist skills of empathy to overcome barriers to understanding and acceptance. oAble to communicate at a high level verbally and in writing highly complex, technical and sensitive information to clients, families, carers, and a range of professionals and lay people within and outside the NHS. oInterpersonal and communication skills to facilitate forming effective collaborative networks within the trust and with external agencies in the interests of client care. oAble to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance, including supervision, to support and improve clinical practice. Organisational/Management: oAble to plan, organise and prioritise own workload in the face of periods of competing demands. oMust be capable of accountability for own work, of autonomous clinical practice, of being guided by precedent and of working towards defined results. Research & Evaluation: oAble to use skills and knowledge to contribute to design and implementation of service evaluations. Legislative: oKnowledge of relevant legislation and psychological research and national guidance and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in eating disorders. Cultural awareness: oAware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health. Information Technology: oCompetence in use of IT equipment and software packages for the purposes of clinical record keeping, electronic communication, creating organisational documentation, data entry and analysis, research, and multimedia presenting and teaching. Self-care: oAble to exercise appropriate levels of self-care and to monitor own state, recognising when it is necessary to take active steps to maintain fitness to practice Physical effort: oAble to sit in constrained positions for a substantial proportion of working time. Mental effort: oAble to concentrate intensely for a substantial proportion of working time, during client contact, teaching/supervision sessions, team meetings, preparing written work etc. Emotional effort: oAble to manage effectively frequent exposure to highly distressing/highly emotional circumstances and exposure to traumatic circumstances. Desirable oTo be able to deliver therapy using two or more relevant models, from amongst the following, in order of preference: 1.CBT-E 2.MANTRA, SSCM or FPT 3.Other models used on complex eating disorders, eg DBT, CAT, Schema, IPT oSkills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups. Other Essential oAble to travel between work sites and to community settings across the county of Bedfordshire and Luton for the delivery of services. Person Specification Education / Qualification / Training Essential Either oDoctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology or equivalence and able to demonstrate eligibility for BPS CPsychol (Chartered Psychologist). HCPC registration as a Practitioner Psychologist. Or both oCore Health/Care Profession (or demonstrated equivalence), with postgraduate level training in a recognised model of psychological therapy (e.g. CBT, CAT) and demonstrated eligibility for accreditation as a practitioner/therapist with the relevant accrediting body (e.g. BABCP/ACAT). And oEvidence of continuing professional development relevant to the specialty as required by professional accrediting/registration body (e.g. BPS/ HCPC/ BABCP/ ACAT). o Desirable Further training or qualifications in one or more additional specialised areas of psychological practice relevant to the post, e.g. supervision, therapeutic models used in eating disorder etc. Experience Essential oExperience of specialist assessment, formulation and treatment of clients experiencing eating disorders. oExperience of working with a wide variety of client groups, presenting with the full range of clinical severity across the range of care settings. oExperience in working in multidisciplinary settings and representing a psychological / psychotherapeutic perspective in teams and services. Desirable oExperience of providing teaching, training and/or professional and clinical supervision. oExperience of the application of psychological interventions in different cultural contexts. oExperience in contributing to service development, redesign and improvements in secondary mental health services. oExperience working in the NHS. Knowledge and skills Essential oHighly developed knowledge of the theory and delivery of specialised psychological practice relevant to eating disorders. oAble to draw upon a theoretical knowledge base in the analysis of highly complex facts and situations, to arrive at appropriate formulation and compare and select from a range of treatment options. oAn in depth knowledge and skills in applying clinical risk assessment and management in own and others' clinical caseload, including eating disorder related risk. oAble to use highly specialist skills of empathy to overcome barriers to understanding and acceptance. oAble to communicate at a high level verbally and in writing highly complex, technical and sensitive information to clients, families, carers, and a range of professionals and lay people within and outside the NHS. oInterpersonal and communication skills to facilitate forming effective collaborative networks within the trust and with external agencies in the interests of client care. oAble to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance, including supervision, to support and improve clinical practice. Organisational/Management: oAble to plan, organise and prioritise own workload in the face of periods of competing demands. oMust be capable of accountability for own work, of autonomous clinical practice, of being guided by precedent and of working towards defined results. Research & Evaluation: oAble to use skills and knowledge to contribute to design and implementation of service evaluations. Legislative: oKnowledge of relevant legislation and psychological research and national guidance and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management in eating disorders. Cultural awareness: oAware of the potential impact of discrimination & disadvantage on mental health. Information Technology: oCompetence in use of IT equipment and software packages for the purposes of clinical record keeping, electronic communication, creating organisational documentation, data entry and analysis, research, and multimedia presenting and teaching. Self-care: oAble to exercise appropriate levels of self-care and to monitor own state, recognising when it is necessary to take active steps to maintain fitness to practice Physical effort: oAble to sit in constrained positions for a substantial proportion of working time. Mental effort: oAble to concentrate intensely for a substantial proportion of working time, during client contact, teaching/supervision sessions, team meetings, preparing written work etc. Emotional effort: oAble to manage effectively frequent exposure to highly distressing/highly emotional circumstances and exposure to traumatic circumstances. Desirable oTo be able to deliver therapy using two or more relevant models, from amongst the following, in order of preference: 1.CBT-E 2.MANTRA, SSCM or FPT 3.Other models used on complex eating disorders, eg DBT, CAT, Schema, IPT oSkills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups. Other Essential oAble to travel between work sites and to community settings across the county of Bedfordshire and Luton for the delivery of services. 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. 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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name East London NHS Foundation Trust Address Mountbatten House 56 High Street South Dunstable LU6 3HD Employer's website https://www.elft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)