Job overview
We are seeking a highly specialist clinical psychologist (Band 8b) to join our specialist paediatric Neurodisability outpatient service and Neurodevelopmental Psychology Team. This is a great opportunity to combine a clinical role with research and service development. The services use a multidisciplinary assessment and rehabilitation model with emphasis on interdisciplinary working and collaborative partnerships with parents and professionals, to optimise the understanding and support of children with complex and rare neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. There is an expectation that the postholder will work flexibly according to service demands. Specialist expertise and experience in developmental and neuropsychological assessment of children and young people with complex needs including autism, neurological conditions and intellectual disability is essential. The postholder will be expected to provide clinical leadership with responsibility for supervision and line management of band 5-8a psychologists, service management and organisation together with leadership in applied clinical research and contributing to national training as appropriate. Supervision and CPD opportunities are provided. We are strongly committed to engaging with others to improve diversity and inclusivity for the benefit of our staff, patients and families.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will provide a highly specialist clinical psychology service to at least two clinics/ services within the service and may work to provide psychological assessment for clinical trials within the Clinical Research Facility at GOSH
The postholder will be part of the multidisciplinary Neurodisability team as well as joining a wider group of psychologists across the Trust. There is substantial formal and informal support and further professional development is actively encouraged.
GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.
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
Please see the Job Description attached.
This job description is intended as an outline of the areas of activity and can be amended in the light of the changing needs of the service and will be reviewed as necessary in conjunction with the post-holder.
Person specification
Values
Essential criteria
* Gosh Values
* 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
Education. Training and qualifications
Essential criteria
* Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS/HCPC, including clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, and lifespan developmental psychology.
* Registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council as Practitioner Psychologist.
* Post doctoral training/recorded CPD and highly specialist clinical experience in paediatric neuropsychology/neurodevelopment.
* ADOS 2
Desirable criteria
* ADI/3Di trained
* Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.
* Post-qualification diploma in Adult or Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology or MSc/PhD in Developmental Psychology
* Full practitioner membership of the Division of Neuropsychology
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Substantial assessed experience of working as a qualified psychologist in children’s services at a highly specialist level.
* Substantial experience of undertaking specialist developmental, neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental assessments
* Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups presenting with the full range of clinical severity.
* Experience of representing psychology within the context of multidisciplinary care.
* Experience of the application of psychology in different cultural contexts and of working in a multicultural framework.
* Experience and expertise in the assessment and treatment of children and young people with neurodevelopmental difficulties across the age range.
* Experience of presenting to multidisciplinary colleagues or in other educational settings.
* Experience of teaching or training
* Experience of presenting psychology to multidisciplinary audiences at conferences or other educational settings.
* Experience of legislation in relation to children and young people and child protection.
* Experience of supervising junior and qualified clinical psychologists and/or other professionals.
* Experience and expertise with a specialist paediatric Neurodisability client group., autism, epilepsy, metabolic conditions.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialist psychological therapies and assessment methodologies in the field of neurodevelopment and paediatric Neurodisability.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of conducting research within the area of Neurodisability/Neurodevelopmental differences.
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
* Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological and neuropsychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
* Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, technical and clinically sensitive information to clients, their carers, and other professionals both within and outside the NHS.
* Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
* Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to distressing situations and challenging behaviours.
* Ability to identify, and employ, as appropriate, clinical governance mechanisms for the support and maintenance of clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
* Ability to develop and use complex multi-media materials for presentations in public, professional and academic settings
* Evidence of skilled and productive multidisciplinary team working
* Evidence of strong organisational skills