Job Summary
The post will work with the team dividing time between the Emergency Department and the physical health care wards at Lewisham University Hospital. The post holder will take the lead on developing services to support the Emergency Department to manage the needs of frequent attenders more effectively.
There is considerable scope for autonomy and careers development with support from senior colleagues in liaison services; the post-holder will develop a psychology service integrated with acute medical care, thus supporting rapid access to direct psychological intervention, staff training, consultation and case discussion. The post is supported by a growing "ageless" multidisciplinary liaison psychiatry team, with specialisms in general adult and older adult liaison psychiatry.
To provide a highly specialist psychology service to Lewisham Psychiatric Liaison Service including specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes.
To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.
To work as an autonomous professional within BPS and HCPC guidelines and codes of conduct, guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters.
To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best achieved.
Main Duties
* To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the service, including developing and delivering psychological interventions tailored to the needs of people living with complex medical and psychosocial problems.
* To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
* To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
Responsibilities
* To provide highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions for clients in the service, including developing and delivering psychological interventions tailored to the needs of people living with complex medical and psychosocial problems.
* To provide culturally appropriate psychological interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required.
* To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
* To co‑ordinate the delivery of liaison services with colleagues.
* As the team's Clinical Psychologist, focus on the most high‑risk and complex patients who present to both the Emergency Department and Acute Trust wards, supporting multidisciplinary case formulation, care planning for frequent attenders and promoting a culture of positive risk taking.
* Support the team in reflective practice and delivery of evidence‑based care; experience of patients in crisis and brief psychological interventions in an emergency setting is advantageous.
* To advise other members of the service on specialist psychological care of clients.
* To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals to develop and review care plans.
* To employ theory, evidence‑based literature and research to support evidence‑based practice in individual work and with other team members.
Person Specification – Qualifications
* Essential
* Entry‑level qualification in applied psychological therapy/mental health/social welfare profession or equivalent AND demonstrable practice in this field (professional Doctorate, or combination of MSc plus PG Diploma level/supervised practice/additional training) accepted by HCPC for professional registration.
* Completed training course in clinical supervision and/or accredited as a supervised qualified psychological practitioner in relevant discipline.
* Registered with the professional body as appropriate to discipline (HCPC/APC/BPC/UKCP/BACP/BABCP/ADMPUK).
* Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body.
* Desirable
* Substantial post‑qualification experience/training and/or accreditation in a relevant therapy model (e.g. CBT/DBT/EMDR/ACT).
* BABPC Accreditation.
Person Specification – Experience
* Evidence of having worked in an acute hospital setting as a clinical specialist or near equivalent.
* Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with a range of complex psychological and physical health needs.
* Experience of supervising assistants and trainees with relevant training.
* Post‑qualification experience that supports working with and addressing issues of diversity within local communities.
* Experience in the delivery of a range of psychological therapies such as behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, third‑wave cognitive therapy, systemic therapies.
* Desirable: Experience of working in acute mental health wards; Experience of delivering short interventions.
Person Specification – Knowledge & Skills
* Essential: Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and evidence base for treating common acute adult mental health problems (psychosis, substance misuse, trauma, personality disorder, mood disorders).
* Advanced knowledge of psychological therapy theory and practice, awareness of assessment and clinical psychometrics.
* Knowledge of legislation regarding client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
* Ability to deliver therapy across cultural and other differences.
* Desirable: Ability to plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups, organise meetings with partner agencies, awareness of risk management policies.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service 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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer Details
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Ladywell Unit, Lewisham Psychiatric Liaison Team
University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham High Street
London, SE13 6LW
Employer’s Website
https://www.slam.nhs.uk/
#J-18808-Ljbffr