The Principal Clinical Psychologist will lead the development of a culturallycompetent Psychological Therapy Service for individuals at risk of mental states (ARMS) and those experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP). The post holder will work collaboratively with clinical colleagues to ensure the effective delivery of psychological interventions within the Early Intervention Team.The Principal Clinical Psychologist will provide specialist expertise in managing complex and challenging cases, service development, evaluation, and quality improvement to meet the unique needs of an ethnically diverse local population, facilitating increased uptake of psychological interventions and improved outcomes.The Principal Clinical Psychologist will play a crucial role in ensuring that the Early Intervention Service is responsive to the needs of the local community and delivershigh standards of care.
Main duties of the job
The Principal Clinical Psychologist will lead the development of a culturallycompetent Psychological Therapy Service for individuals at risk of mental states (ARMS) and those experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP). The post holder will work collaboratively with clinical colleagues to ensure the effective delivery of psychological interventions within the Early Intervention Team.
About us
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. Were really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure were a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
The Principal Clinical Psychologist will lead the development of a culturallycompetent Psychological Therapy Service for individuals at risk of mental states (ARMS) and those experiencing first episode psychosis (FEP). The post holder will work collaboratively with clinical colleagues to ensure the effective delivery of psychological interventions within the Early Intervention Team.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
• Doctorate level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical, psychometrics, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS or a BPS.
• Or, a post-graduate doctorate in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996)
• Statement of equivalence.
• Accredited membership of an appropriate psychological therapy professional body.
• Additional further training and qualifications in a range of therapeutic models (e.g. CBTp, CAT, EMDR psychoanalytic therapies)
• Additional further training in the use of specific psychometric and / or neuro-psychological assessment tools
• Training in supervision of trainee psychologist and other professionals within the MDT
Desirable
• MBA or other management / leadership qualification.
• Additional qualification in clinical supervision.
• Full accreditation with BABCP
Experience
Essential
• Significant experience of working as a qualified clinical psychologist
• Demonstrable experience of working as a highly specialist clinical psychologist with clients presenting with psychosis
• Experience of working with service users who are complex within a community and or acute care pathway
• Experience in engaging with ethnic minority communities to understand their needs, reduce stigma, and improve access to mental health services.
• Experience of the application of psychological therapy in diverse cultural and ethnic contexts
• Experience working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course and full range of settings including community, inpatients and acute care settings, primary care, residential
• Experience of exercising full clinical responsibility for psychological care and treatment as an autonomous practitioner with complex and challenging service users within the context of a multidisciplinary care plan
Desirable
• Competence in providing training on cultural competence and sensitivity to clinical staff.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating mental health services, with a focus on accessibility and effectiveness for diverse populations.
• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multidisciplinary care.
• Experience in developing research and development programmes within psychological therapy services.
• Experience in teaching and training qualified psychological therapy and of nonpsychology staff.
• Experience in undertaking line management of psychological therapies staff.
Knowledge
Essential
• In-depth understanding of psychosis, including first episode psychosis (FEP) and at-risk mental states (ARMS)
• Doctoral level knowledge of research design and methodology, including multivariate data analysis.
• Evidence of continual professional development as recommended by the appropriate professional body.
• Knowledge of contemporary legislation relating to the delivery of mental health and psychological services and its implications for both clinical practice and professional management.
• Knowledge of professional issues in psychology and psychological therapies.
• Knowledge and experience of the application of clinical governance and risk management policies and procedures for the maintenance and improvement of psychological services.
• Understanding of cultural differences and how they impact mental health and treatment. Awareness of specific cultural factors that may influence the experience and presentation of psychosis.
Desirable
• Highly developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific difficult to treat groups.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of highly specialised psychological therapies and assessment methodologies.
• Familiarity with computing technology including spreadsheets and databases.
• Knowledge of SPSS or other statistical software packages.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
• Proficiency in implementing evidence-based psychological therapies for psychosis (e.g., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), family interventions).
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging and valuing their cultural identities and experiences.
• Skill in adapting therapeutic interventions to be culturally relevant and effective for different ethnic and cultural groups.
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, highly technical and clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
• Highly developed skills and experience of working with complex, sensitive or contentious information.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a highly emotive, antagonistic or hostile atmosphere and to overcome barriers to acceptance / psychological resistance to potentially threatening information.
• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment intervention and management frequently o Record of having published research / review academic, or professional journals and / or books o Application Form o Interview AFC 20/8/24 JME-170-24 Principal Clinical Psychologist EIT Band 8b requiring sustained and intense concentration.
• Highly developed skills in providing consultation to other professionals including medical staff and non-professional groups.
• High level skills in providing complex clinical and professional supervision including medical staff.
• Keyboard skills and skills in using word-processing, e mail and internet software
• Ability to work independently on a day today basis and use own initiative.
• Ability to set and work towards agreed goals, reviewed regularly in management supervision.
• Commitment to quality improvement in psychological services through multiprofessional evaluation and audit of psychological services.
• Ability to contain and work with organisational stress and ability to hold the stress of others.
• Ability to sit in constrained position for client therapy and for computer work.
• Ability to manage frequent periods of prolonged concentration in service users sessions, meetings and during computing tasks.
• Ability to move equipment (including casefiles, self-help AFC 20/8/24 JME-170-24 Principal Clinical Psychologist EIT Band 8b materials, audio-visual equipment) between office base and other work settings.
• Ability to work face to face with (potentially aggressive) service users in isolated settings (including domiciliary visits) without other team members being nearby and in accordance with the Trust Lone Worker Policy
• Ability to work to professional guidelines.
Desirable
• Record of having published research / review academic, or professional journals and / or books
Work Related Circumstances
Essential
• Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs.
• Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trusts Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies.
• Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.