Practitioner Psychologist in Paediatric Diabetes, Band 8a
- NHS
- Part Time
- Gloucester
- 53755.00 - 60504.00 a year
Job Description
Job summary
We are seeking a skilled, innovative and compassionate clinical psychologist to provide and develop specialist interventions and psychologically informed care for children and young people with diabetes, their families and the paediatric diabetes team service as a whole. The post is varied and spans outpatient clinical work, in-patient work when needed, indirect clinical work such as training, consultation and supervision, evaluation and research, to support the integration of psychologically informed care within the MDT more broadly, based at Gloucester Royal Hospital.
The Psychology department is very friendly, extremely well established in the trust and growing, and is keen on innovating and continuously developing our services and clinical practice.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will have a post-graduate doctorate in clinical, counselling or health psychology and will be registered with the HCPC as a psychological practitioner.
Your job is to be responsible, alongside the current Clinical Psychologist, for providing a high quality, specialist clinical psychology service for children and young people with diabetes, their families and the paediatric diabetes MDT consistent with the Trust's objective of "best care for everyone".
This will include:
- providing specialist psychological interventions to in- and out-patients and family members as appropriate.
- providing "indirect" clinical work of supervision, consultation and training to the paediatric diabetes MDT staff, to enable the MDT to provide psychologically informed, and developmentally appropriate care
- using knowledge and skills to identify and implement audit, research and service development work.
- be involved in the continued professional development and supervision of roles such as assistant psychologists or placements as they arise.
Look out for other part time opportunities in the department that this post can be combined with.
About us
Psychological Services is a large, friendly, well-established department that is keen on innovating and continuously developing services and clinical practice. We are formed of assistant and trainee psychologists, newly qualified, senior, principal and consultant clinical, health and counselling psychologists across many specialties.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be required:
ClinicalDirect clinical intervention through the application of a range of psychological theories and models to analyse, understand and interpret complex situations and behaviours in order to formulate solutions and treatment which is tailored to individuals needs. This requires the capacity to engage in intense concentration for prolonged periods of time.
Although the post holder acts autonomously and is professionally accountable for their own practice, in common with all clinical psychologists undertakes regular supervision.
To work proactively and preventatively with the MDT to identify and intervene early in psychological concerns or distress. To also work with more complex cases appropriate for a physical health acute setting and to working jointly and consultatively with other colleagues. For example, with patients or families who have extreme difficulty in accepting their diagnosis or making necessary lifestyle changes, patients who have co-morbid mood difficulties or other psychological factors that affect adjustment, adherence and living well with diabetes.
Effective communication of highly complex, contentious, delicate and often unwelcome information to patients, carers and staff within a highly emotive atmosphere, in a rapidly changing context. This involves working alone with patients who may be in a highly emotional or distressed state and requires a high level of skilled communication.
Provide specialised advice, supervision and consultation on care, therapy, and psychological aspects of health to multidisciplinary teams, staff groups, young people and families.
Responsibility for managing own time, planning of patient clinics and other clinical work. Organising workload of, and supervising trainees / students / psychology assistants where appropriate.
Responsibility for maintaining clear and accurate patient records in the department and in hospital health care records, including letter writing and reports to other health care colleagues and other relevant agencies.
Application of current evidence based interventions in clinical psychology.
There will be a frequent requirement for intense concentration during individual and group sessions and exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances. This includes occasionally dealing with verbally or physically aggressive patients.
Although the post holder acts autonomously and is professionally accountable for their own practice, in common with all applied psychologists, undertakes regular clinical supervision.
Policy and Service Development
Provider of professional advice to health community on psychological factors relating to physical health, e.g. adjusting to diagnosis, accessing investigations/treatment, adherence to treatment and end of life issues.
Implement policies and service developments in line with government directives.
Identify service needs, setting up new initiatives which will enhance patient care outcomes.
Teaching/training
Deliver specialist psychology teaching /training to doctoral and applied psychology trainees and psychology colleagues. The may include supervision.
Teaching psychological aspects of physical health to other healthcare professionals within specialist services.
Use appropriate information technology to support teaching and training e.g. powerpoint.
Research and Development activity
To undertake applied clinical research and audit programmes, using a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies with the aim of improving health outcomes of patients their families and carers. This utilises reflective scientist-practitioner and doctoral level research skills.
Supervision of Assistant Psychologists and Clinical Psychology Trainees in research and development.
Offer consultation to other professionals with reference to research or audit-based activity.
Regularly carry out evaluation of clinical intervention and making adjustments indicated by this.
Comply with Clinical Governance requirements.
CPD
Participate in current Trust performance / development review systems (e.g. appraisal).
Responsibility for maintenance and development for own professional skills based.
Remain abreast of recent developments in relevant areas of psychology through personal study and attendance at workshops / conferences.
Actively participate in local and national special interest groups.
Physical Effort and Working ConditionsJob requires sitting in restricted physical position, providing an appropriate and supportive posture for substantial and prolonged periods of time during clinical interviews, assessment, treatment and the provision of supervision etc.
Frequent requirement for precision and multi-tasking during assessment e.g. attending to and assessing both the content of the clients responses and their non-verbal behaviour, levels of attention, concentration etc.
Job requires frequent exposure to highly distressing and/or highly emotional circumstances
Work effectively and professionally with colleagues who may become stressed or distressed by their own work, while maintaining emotional resilience
Maintain a positive and compassionate attitude
Create a friendly, professional and welcoming environment to all clients, colleagues and visitors across all aspects of the post
Job involves occasional exposure to unpleasant working conditions (e.g. body fluids, noxious odours, verbal aggression, visual exposure to treatment processes)
Job requires application of computer keyboard and IT skills.
Frequent use of computers/ VDU equipment for long periods of time.
The ability to drive to clinical sessions and events outside of GRH.
Work in areas where infection control policies must be observed.
Additional Contact:
Dr Kate Crews- Clinical Psychologist in Paediatric Diabetes and Neonatal Care
kate.crews@nhs.net
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Doctoral level training in counselling/clinical/health psychology including specifically, models of psychopathology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology.
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a practitioner psychological practitioner
Desirable
- Evidence of regular CPD including post doctoral training in additional specialist areas of psychological practice
Experience
Essential
- Significant understanding of, and experience with, evidence-based psychological models and therapeutic approaches to health and illness ...
