Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Clinical Psychologist to join the Children's Psychological Medicine team based at the Children's Hospital Oxford. This established role supports the delivery of a psychological service to young people and their families who are seen by the Pain Management Service, as well as providing General Paediatric input within the Children's Hospital. Psychology plays a key role within these services, embedded within the MDT to deliver high-quality, evidence-based, and family-integrated care. You would be joining another psychologist who also works in the Pain Management Service.
Children's Psychological Medicine consists of psychologists, psychiatrists, and a family therapist, providing opportunities for both formal and informal consultation with staff experienced in a range of therapeutic approaches. The department operates an inpatient rota for the children's hospital, and there are numerous opportunities to seek advice and support from colleagues on a daily basis.
This post is a full-time position. The Trust is supportive of flexible working arrangements and would be happy to discuss this further if needed. The team runs monthly Continuing Professional Development (CPD) slots, and there are several opportunities to develop interests in specific therapeutic models, with funds available for additional training.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will work systemically, supporting the paediatric pain management MDT to deliver psychologically informed care to young people and families under their care, as well as providing targeted, specialist psychological input to families and young people. In both parts of the job, the post-holder will liaise closely with relevant services within the hospital and in the community to ensure continuity of care along the patient pathway. An important part of the role will also be to provide training and consultation to colleagues.
The post-holder will attend Children's Psychological Medicine meetings and will contribute to teaching in the form of Grand Rounds in children's settings.
In addition to clinical work, there are opportunities to engage in research, and the department has strong links with the doctoral training course, with regular clinical and research trainees on placement. There is a strong ethos of research and audit under the broader Children's Psychological Medicine Service.
About us
Oxford is a nationally recognised centre for medical education, professional training, and research, seeking to recruit and retain those at the forefront of their field. The Trust has a strong ethos of supporting staff to achieve their potential, with opportunities for conducting research alongside clinical work and access to both internal and external training and professional development opportunities.
Oxford University Hospitals offer a wide range of general and specialist clinical services, which includes a thriving psychological presence across the lifespan. Alongside this, there is access to various resources across the site, including library facilities, canteens, and cafes, as well as an established staff support and well-being service.
The city itself is large and cosmopolitan, offering opportunities to visit a range of museums and art galleries. There are diverse shopping locations, a vibrant caf and bar scene, and numerous established music venues to suit all tastes. The city has served as the backdrop for many films and television series, with specialist tours for those eager to explore further. The surrounding picturesque countryside, including the Otmoor wildlife reserve, historic Woodstock, and Blenheim Palace, is less than 30 minutes away. We are also within an hour of London and Heathrow for those looking to travel further afield. For more information, see
Job description
Job responsibilities
For a more detailed description of the job, please see the attached job description and person specification. You are also welcome to contact Dr Kate Green, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, at (K) should you have any specific queries regarding the post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or equivalent
2. Eligible for chartered status as a clinical psychologist
3. HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
4. Additional specialist therapeutic training/qualification
Desirable
5. Evidence of post qualification training to support work within a neonatal context
6. Pre-or post qualification training in research methodology
7. Further training in staff support/supervision
Experience
Essential
8. Experience of clinical work with infants, children, young people and families experiencing acute or chronic illness and life limiting conditions
9. Experience of working across the lifespan with a wide variety of client groups and across the full range of clinical severity
10. Experience of cognitive assessment and formulation
11. Experience of working with parents who may be dealing with a complex range of issues including though not restricted to significant concerns for their child, anxiety and/or adjustment issues as well as possible health concerns of their own.
12. Experience of clinical work within an acute hospital or paediatric setting
13. Further post-training supervised clinical practice, with a very high degree of autonomy in keeping with the job requirements
14. Experience of delivering highly skilled assessments. Interventions, follow-up and data monitoring utilizing at least two therapeutic models
Desirable
15. Post qualification experience working with children presenting with a range of health and developmental difficulties
16. Experience of supervising others (non-psychologists, assistants, trainees)
17. Post-doctoral experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team representing the psychological needs of children and young people and sharing expert formulations to inform team practice.
18. Experience of working with trauma and/or bereavement
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
19. Ability to work with children and young people
20. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
21. Competence in assessing and managing risk
22. Ability to work with highly distressed adults, adolescents and family members
23. Experience in individual therapy, work with families and group work
24. Ability to undertake clinical and service related research or audit consistent with the needs of the department and in keeping with the job requirements
25. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and through written work
26. Competence in CBT and other psychotherapies
27. Ability to assess and formulate cases incorporating a broad range of models
28. Up to date knowledge of the theory and practice of specialized psychological therapies as applied in a clinical health setting
Desirable
29. A commitment to the evaluation of services, enthusiasm for both multi and uni-professional audit and a desire to continue to apply and develop expertise in this area
Personal
Essential
30. Ability to work effectively under pressure
31. Ability to exercise autonomy/initiative
32. To be able to think clearly and to communicate this well to others
33. Commitment to clinical excellence
34. To demonstrate good organizational skills
35. Interest in developing skills through further training in relevant aspects of paediatric Psychology
Desirable
36. Car Driver