Are you are interested in being part of cutting-edge research within Mental Health care? Are you looking to further develop your clinical experience and research skills?
We are seeking a clinical psychologist to join the Sleeping Better team to contribute to a new large clinical trial of psychological therapy for early psychosis.
You will deliver specialist psychological therapy as part of the Sleeping Better project – a multi-site randomised controlled trial testing the team's 12-week treatment for sleep and circadian rhythm difficulties.
You'll assist with the set-up and delivery of the trial, direct delivery of therapy, supervising research assistants and ensuring the successful delivery of trial milestones.
You'll work with other members of the project teams across the different trial sites as well as local NHS mental health trusts. You'll work clinically in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. There will be teaching and supervision opportunities.
A Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is required, and an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and empirical foundations of cognitive approaches; and excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills, and a commitment to developing evidence based psychological treatments.
This will suit a clinical psychologist keen to apply cognitive theory and therapeutic techniques to improve treatment efficacy, and those wishing to develop a clinical academic career.
This post requires excellent communication and presentation skills, together with the ability to organise and motivate others.
You'll need to demonstrate flair, enthusiasm, innovation, and leadership when faced with challenges and will provide strategic, tactical, and operational management skills in the planning and execution of the research project.
You'll provide clinical supervision support to research assistants and graduate mental health workers, and will will work within the policies, procedures, and guidelines for the Trust.
Although based in Brighton you are likely to travel throughout the trust which would be facilitated by having a valid driving licence and access to your own or other independent means of transport.
The position will suit a clinical psychologist keen to apply cognitive theory and therapeutic techniques to improve treatment efficacy. We can also support the development of clinical psychologists with an interest in a clinical academic career. The post-holder will be supervised by Prof Kathryn Greenwood, Dr Felicity Waite and Prof Daniel Freeman. We welcome discussions with potential candidates.
The R&D department in Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust is a large and vibrant department with research assistants, clinical research practitioners and clinical psychologists/psychological therapists working across a variety of projects.
You will work directly with the Senior Research Assistants, Psychology Assistant and with the Sussex Principal Investigator Professor Kathryn Greenwood (Professor of Clinical Psychology) locally.
You will also receive expert training and supervision with international leaders in their fields and through the multidisciplinary research group (Oxford, Bristol, Glasgow and Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear).
There will also be opportunities to meet staff on other projects and from different disciplines, and to take up CPD opportunities to strengthen your clinical and/or research experience. There are regular psychosis research lab meetings, and Sussex Psychosis Research interest Group (SPRiG) seminars to further strengthen your knowledge and skills.
To contribute to the day-to-day delivery of a new large-scale project testing innovations in psychological therapy for patients with early psychosis, including young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis.
To help support the set-up and management of the trial, and contribute to the day-to-day management of the project, ensuring milestones are achieved and the work is carried out to the highest standards.
To deliver highly specialist psychological therapy to treat sleep problems in young people at risk of psychosis as part of a large clinical trial: Sleeping Better.
To contribute to the supervision of assistant psychologists and graduate mental health workers in the delivery of psychological interventions.
To contribute to the supervision of research assistants in the recruitment and assessment of trial participants.
To coordinate the trial at the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust site, including supervising research assistants in the recruitment and assessment of trial participants.
To work closely with the clinical teams in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and other participating NHS Trusts, including delivering new treatments to patients in these trusts as part of the clinical research and supervising and training others in the delivery of treatments.
To provide regular reports on the progress of the study. This will include providing information needed by the funder.
To work closely with other members of the research group, helping to ensure the success of studies conducted within the group.
To ensure excellent working relationships with collaborators across the project.
To conduct good record-keeping and report writing.
To work to standard operational procedures for the projects.
To attend supervision and research team meetings.
Administrative duties related to the projects.
Treatment is provided in a number of NHS trusts. This means there will be travel across the large geographical area both to clinical teams and patient homes, which would be facilitated by having a valid driving licence and access to own or other independent means of transport.
The projects include large multi-site clinical trials across the UK and therefore occasional travel between sites will be necessary.
To work within the guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act, the Code of Ethics, Trust policies and procedures, and with full understanding of confidentiality issues
Other duties appropriate to the grade as directed.