Job overview
We are seeking skilled and compassionate individuals to join the new NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (London) in the role of Specialist Therapeutic Practitioner.
The role will play an important part in delivering a highly specialist psychology service within NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (London), specifically within the Waiting Well project which aims to co-produce, evaluate and deliver a support package to young people and families on the waiting list for gender services.
We encourage part-time applications from staff already working within other NHS Services, and specifically other CAMH services to enable transference of knowledge and skills in line with the Cass Review recommendations.
Main duties of the job
To fulfil the main duties of the job successful candidates will need experience working therapeutically (as a registered and regulated practitioner in their relevant field clinical, counselling or systemic family therapy) with children or adolescents with complex presentations, and preferably, with children who are gender questioning. They will be experienced in assessment and management of children and young people experiencing neurodiversity, social vulnerability, and will have experience and expertise in safeguarding and child protection processes. They will have been involved in service improvement and design and be able to work objectively in a service with a high level of external scrutiny, whilst focusing on delivering the best care for children and young people, aligned to a new service specification.
Working for our organisation
We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we’ll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.
Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women’s networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.
We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.
Person specification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Experience of receiving clinical supervision across a range of client needs.
* Working in specialist mental health services for children and young people
* Experience of psychological/mental health assessment and treatment of clients with a range of psychological needs of a complex nature relevant to the needs of CYP with Gender Diversity
* Experience that supports working with, and addressing issues of, diversity within local communities. This may have been gained through work, research, volunteering and / or lived experience
* Experience of developing and carrying out research projects.
* Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment of common mental health difficulties experienced by CYP with gender diversity
* Knowledge of psychological assessment and clinical psychometrics.
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to the client group and mental health issues, child and adult protection, and equalities.
* Knowledge of factors affecting acceptability and accessibility of mental health care
* Senior clinical and/or managerial experience which demonstrates the ability to initiate, develop and implement significant programmes or work without close supervision
* Experience of managing resource, in particular budgetary responsibilities
* Experience of service development/project management in the NHS in relation to service user involvement or equality and diversity
* Experience of partnership working across statutory and voluntary organisations
* Experience of developing and delivering co-production initiatives
* Experience working with children and young people
* Effective communication skills to a variety of service user and senior management groups
Desirable criteria
* The Trust encourages and welcomes applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges. We see this as valuable and recognise the positive impact this experience can have on the work we do.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* To deliver psychological therapy across cultural and other differences.
* To select and administer specialist psychological assessments, interpreting and integrating complex data that require analysis, interpretation and comparison, drawn from several sources
* To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information.
* To plan and schedule assessment and interventions for individual clients and groups and carers, and for meetings such as CPAs and case reviews
* To plan allocation of tasks to assistant psychologists.
* To be skilled in the administration of psychometric and neuropsychological tests, including those that require complex manipulation of test materials.
* Well-developed IT skills including entry and analysis of research data.
* Skills in providing teaching and training to other professional groups
* Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to effective team functioning and holding team roles.
* Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate
* Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic meetings
* Ability to maintain concentration and to remain in restricted positions for long periods during observations, assessments and psychological interventions, and to deal with unexpected interruptions or changes during these.
* Ability to manage emotionally stressful situations such as working with victims of abuse or trauma, or with people who engage in severe self-harming or aggressive behaviour.
* Ability to manage verbal aggression and hostility directed at self.
* Strong planning and organisational skills
* Ability to work independently
* Ability to set priorities in line with local and national priorities
* Competent with Microsoft
* Ability to analyse and draw conclusions from sometimes complex data and present it clearly to a wider audience
Desirable criteria
* Leadership skills ability to lead and manage change through influence
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
* To have undertaken a recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions, psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, medicine, social work and occupational therapy OR to have equivalent relevant experience and demonstrable competence to work in the mental health field in the NHS.
* 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) that has been accepted for the purposes of professional registration
* Current registration with appropriate regulatory body ( HCPC, NMC, BABCP, UKCP, MBACPaccred).
* Evidence of continuing professional development as required by the professional body
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential criteria
* Our Always values •Always welcoming •Always helpful •Always expert •Always one team
* •Knowledge and Understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
* •Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace.
* •Demonstrable contribution to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace