Band 7 Senior Psychological Therapist

Job responsibilities

Clinical The post-holder will be a highly skilled autonomous practitioner, managing a complex caseload using clinical judgment, critical thinking, reflection and analysis to support their work with people effected by life limiting illness and bereavement. To plan, provide and develop specialist patient-centred psychological interventions for patients, clients (including children and young people) under the care of the hospice and/or effected by a life limiting illness and bereavement. Take a designated role in local service leadership and development e.g. education, Children and Young People, groupwork, condition specific specialism. As part of the PTT to accept, assess and plan interventions for patients and family members including the bereaved. To accept clinical responsibility for a caseload of referred patients, organising this effectively with regard to clinical priorities and best use of time. To provide both 1:1 and group-based interventions, face to face and virtually. To maintain accurate and timely records of client interventions within client notes. To respect all materials produced in the therapy process and where appropriate record and store all materials in accordance with professional guidelines. Maintain statistical data where required. To participate in relevant clinical meetings regarding multi professional care planning and implementation. To be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team and to participate in team meetings particularly in relation to own specialist area. Work as an integrated and collaborative team member, respecting others ways of working and holding in mind other assessment, treatment and support which may be being provided alongside psychological therapy input. To communicate effectively and sensitively with all service users and team members. To provide cover for colleagues as required and appropriate. To take responsibilities in such a way as to minimise risk of harm to children, young people and adults and to safeguard and promote their welfare in accordance with current legislation, statutory guidance and hospice policies and procedures. To undertake safeguarding training and receive safeguarding supervision appropriate to their role. To conform to the professional standards set by your regulatory professional body. You are required to ensure your registration to practice is current and you maintain continuous professional development. To have access to and maintain confidentiality when dealing with confidential data on staff, patients and services within St Peters Hospice. Failure to maintain confidentiality will lead to disciplinary action, which could ultimately lead to dismissal. To keep up to date on all matters relating to Hospice procedure and policy. Research and Knowledge Dissemination Undertake research projects to advance the understanding bereavement and the effectiveness of psychological interventions. Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences. Develop and deliver training programs on child bereavement and loss for staff, volunteers, and the wider community. Management and leadership In the absence of the Team Manager, to provide leadership and day to day management of the PTT service. To provide leadership and if required, line management to junior and unqualified PTT staff, trainee therapists, PTT volunteers. Communication Develop and maintain communication with people about difficult matters and/or in demanding situations. Adapt communication methods considering culture, background, and preferred way of communicating. Demonstrate an understanding of the need to involve clients in decision making, offering them informed choices, and respecting their views. Provide feedback to others on their communication where appropriate. Contribute fully to multi-disciplinary working within the hospice team and liaise with health care professionals in the community building effective working relationships. Contribute to the work of other hospice services when appropriate. Personal and People Development Be subject to regular annual staff performance, be committed to continuing professional development and maintain evidence of this development review. To actively participate in own supervision and the appraisal process. To participate in ongoing audit and if required, research programmes. Be aware of current research on therapy interventions in palliative care and introduce new models/ideas into the service as appropriate. To develop psychological support within St Peters, including raising awareness about approaches used. To promote the contribution of psychological support in palliative care. Attend appropriate meetings both internal and external. Apply evidence to patient care. Use strategies to develop own resilience. Use reflection to support practice improvement, this maybe with colleagues and/or be engaging with clinical supervision. Identifies development needs for others. Enables opportunities for others to apply their developing knowledge and skills. Actively provides learning and development opportunities to others including supervising new staff and clinical placements. Actively contributes to the evaluation of the effectiveness of others. learning/development opportunities and relates this to others. If line managing, to ensure all employees managed have annual appraisals and personal development plans in place and comply with mandatory training. Contribute to Improving Quality Be expected to produce work of a high standard and to always promote quality. To ensure all relevant standards/ guidance regarding proficiency, conduct, performance and ethics and other relevant guidelines are adhered to. To introduce/maintain evidence-based practice within the service. Adhere to relevant local/ national guidelines for practice. Participate and lead in evaluation, audit, and practice development activities of PTT and as part of a multi professional team. Promote and contribute to measuring quality and outcomes. Monitor and maintain health & safety and security of yourself and others Be required to participate in the assessment of risk and thereby contribute towards clinical and corporate governance agenda as appropriate. Familiarise yourself with matters relating to health and ...