Early Intervention in Psychosis Lead Psychologist

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in London is looking for a highly motivated Band 8b registered clinical psychologist to enhance support for individuals recovering from psychosis. The role involves leading clinical supervision, managing psychology provisions, and working closely with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure effective treatment pathways. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in community mental health, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to culturally competent care.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience working as a clinical/counselling psychologist in community mental health.
• Experience providing CBT for psychosis in a community setting.
• Experience working within at least two therapy modalities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate clinical and managerial supervision for psychologists.
• Lead on recruitment processes for psychological professionals.
• Oversee the development of psychology provision for first episode psychosis.

Skills

Ability to work creatively

Competence with IT packages

Culturally competent service

Education

Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology

HCPC registration

Clinical Supervision Training

Training in Behavioural Family Therapy

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Band 8b registered clinical psychologist to work across the City and Hackney EQUIP and Heads Up Teams. EQUIP provides an assertive and responsive service to adults aged 18 - 65 for up to 3 years during their recovery from a first episode of psychosis. The service covers the City of London and London Borough of Hackney. Emphasis is placed on maximising wellbeing and on social, psychological, physical and educational/vocational recovery. The team works to standards set for early intervention in psychosis and participates in the annual National Clinical Audit on Psychosis. The team also works closely with the early detection team, HEADS UP, which provides support to those who are at risk of developing psychosis, and actively connects with local community groups in order to improve detection rates of this group.

This post would be suitable for someone with significant experience, a strong interest in psychosis and early intervention and a collaborative approach to leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of psychology across EQUIP and Heads Up. They will also work closely with the operational lead and consultant psychiatrists as a member of the senior management team.

Responsibilities

• Provide and/or coordinate clinical and managerial supervision for the psychologists in EQUIP and Heads Up, placing the service user at the centre of service planning and delivery.
• Ensure staffing provision within the psychological profession is in line with service need and the established budget; develop relevant and meaningful job plans.
• Lead on recruitment processes for psychological professionals.
• Oversee the effective administration of the waiting list, including allocation of work to specific team members.
• Oversee and lead on the development of psychology provision for first episode psychosis in EQUIP and Heads Up in line with national guidance and other early intervention services across East London.
• Provide specialist assessment and formulation of service users with complex presentations.
• Potentially provide specialist evidence-based interventions to service users, including CBT for psychosis and Family Intervention.
• Offer psychotherapeutic insights, consultation, supervision and teaching to team members as appropriate.
• Participate as an active member of the EQUIP and Heads Up senior leadership team in regards to service development, evaluation and research.
• Represent EQUIP and Heads Up psychology in Psychological Professionals Leadership meetings, within City and Hackney and trust wide in East London.
• Lead on innovation in the team with regard to developing care pathways that best meet the needs of service users in collaboration with users, carers, and other statutory and voluntary sector organisations.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
• HCPC registration
• Clinical Supervision Training
• Trained in Behavioural Family Therapy or other family interventions

Desirable

• Management Training
• Other relevant specialist training or qualifications

Experience

• Substantial experience of working as a qualified clinical/counselling psychologist in a community mental health setting
• Substantial experience of providing CBT for psychosis in a community setting
• Experience of working within at least two therapy modalities
• Research experience
• Experience of representing psychology within the context of multi-disciplinary care
• Experience of developing and delivering specialist training programmes
• Experience of supervising professional and clinical practice of qualified and unqualified staff
• Identification of need and development of services to meet need
• Experience of applying psychology in different cultural contexts

Desirable

• Management skills
• Experience of working in an early intervention service with first episode psychosis
• Experience in systemic interventions or working with families

Skills and Aptitudes

• Ability to work creatively, cooperatively, reliably and consistently as an independent practitioner, as a mentor and supervisor, and in multi-disciplinary and team settings
• Competence with keyboard skills and basic IT packages (word processing, Excel, e-mail and internet, PowerPoint)
• Ability to provide a culturally competent and non-stigmatising service, with awareness of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on mental health

Aptitude and Values

• Enthusiasm for a broad range of psychological phenomena and interest in models of service delivery
• Ability to manage exposure to distressing/highly emotional circumstances
• Respectful approach to service users, families, carers, colleagues and other professionals
• Ability to articulate the value added by psychological interventions within a multidisciplinary mental health context while respecting others’ expertise
• Accountability for own work, autonomous clinical practice, adherence to precedent, and working towards defined results

Legal and Employment Details

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure to the DBS will be required 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. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks is available from the relevant authorities.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details: East London NHS Foundation Trust, Vivienne Cohen House, 230 Homerton High Street, London, E9 6AT. Website: elft.nhs.uk