Registered Clinical Psychologist - Adult Autism Assessment Service
We are seeking a qualified clinical psychologist with strong interpersonal skills to join our small & developing Adult Autism Assessment Service (AAAS) based in Kings Hill and Canterbury. The AAAS team has been in operation since June 2020 and is commissioned by the NHS to carry out complex Autism assessments across Kent & Medway. The AAAS team currently comprises Psychologists, assistant psychologists and SaLTs with plans to expand. This post is offered on a full time or part-time basis (between 15-37.5 hours per week) with a combination of face-to-face, flexible working and working from home options available. For those seeking full-time hours, there is also an opportunity for a split post across the AAAS Team and the SSC Adapted Therapies or Adult Mental Health Service. As an independent mental health provider, this role offers an excellent opportunity to develop experience of working within an independent health service which has a number of current contracts with the NHS. We are looking for candidates with transferable skills and experience and you do not have to be an established expert in Autism to apply. The supportive nature of the team and the variety of clients we see means that there are opportunities to develop both your knowledge of Autism and of co-occurring difficulties. Applications from current third year clinical psychology trainees with an interest in/experience of working with autistic adults are welcomed.
Main duties of the job
To provide a high-quality Autismassessment service to adults presenting with possible Autism, often withcomplex co-occurring difficulties (i.e. mental health, personality disorder,wider neurodevelopmental difficulties etc). The service is commissionedby the NHS as part of the Neurodevelopmental pathway overseen by the KentCommunity Health Foundation Trust.
To provide clinical leadership,co-ordination, and supervision for junior staff, including AssistantPsychologists, under the general direction and supervision of the Lead Clinicianfor the service (normally a Principal Psychologist or above).
To undertake Autism assessmentsfor both routine and complex referrals (where there are comorbidities), writeor supervise and edit Autism diagnostic assessment reports which includedetailed and individually tailored recommendations for the individual withregard to next steps, appropriate adjustments and further sources of support.
To continue to support the growthand development of the Adult Autism Assessment team through involvement andsupport of clinical governance meetings within the team and the organization.
To develop the Autism assessmentprocess in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence aids, staying abreast ofcurrent developments in this area and remaining aware of the variousopportunities and risks presented by this approach.
To remain current withdevelopments in the field of Autism generally and Assessment of Autism inAdults in particular.
About us
Sinclair Strong Consultants is awell-regarded independent Mental Health service, with a good support team in ITand administration along with over 20 registered professionals including Psychiatry,Psychology, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy. We also havea team of 6 Assistant Psychologists and are recruiting more in all areas.. Inaddition to autism assessment and support, we work across ADHD diagnosis andtreatment, adult mental health, consulting and court reports, communityservices for people with autism and intellectual disability and we have held the NHS contract for the provision of the Kentand Medway Complex Autism Service since its inception.
We offer a salary aligned withAgenda for Change and an annual leave entitlement commensurate with the NHS. Weare passionate about supporting professional development both in house andattendance at external courses.
Job responsibilities
* Conduct high quality, formulation-led ASDassessments, involving direct contact with the clients' carers/family,professionals etc., for adults presenting with complex co-occurring mentalhealth difficulties.
* Work within an assessment protocol that includesstandardised screening and standardised assessment tools, following NICEguidelines, and with consideration and screening for co-occurring and/ordifferential diagnostic issues.
* Analyse complex client information, derived froma variety of sources including psychological and neuropsychological tests,self-report measures, rating scales, direct and indirect structuredobservations and semi-structured interviews with the client, family members andothers involved in the client's care.
* Exercise clinical autonomy for a caseload ofcomplex ASD assessments
* Identify when onward referral is required andmanage this.
* Write high-quality assessment reports withrecommendations.
* Attend ND meetings, team case discussions,journal club, SSC wide CPD days.
* Assist in the allocation and supervision of workby assistant psychologists.
* Provide clinical leadership, co-ordination, andsupervision for junior staff, under the general direction and supervision ofthe Lead Clinician for the service.
* Communicate complex and sensitive information toclients where the atmosphere may be emotive, or there may be barriers tounderstanding.
Person Specification
Other
* Knowledge and familiarity of autism and ADHD
* Ability to work independently and use initiative within a small and developing service
* Ability to work as a member of a clinical and wider team.
* Ability to formulate taking account of a clients personal history, presentation, current diagnoses etc
Qualifications
* Qualified/or soon to be qualified clinical psychologist (DClinPsy or equivalent), eligible for Chartered Clinical Psychologist Status in the British Psychological Society.
* Registration with HCPC The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) | (hcpc-uk.org)
* Some further training in autism and/or ADHD
* Some further training in at least one psychological therapy
Experience
* An interest in working with people with autism and/or ADHD
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a wide range of care settings, such as outpatient, community, primary care and in-patient settings.
* Experience gained during supervised training of working with autism and/or ADHD.
* Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision
* Experience in providing feedback from assessment results to clients and their family.
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.
£46,148 to £60,504 a yearThis is a Band 7 or 8a role depending on experience
#J-18808-Ljbffr