Ocean Senior Psychologist Band 8A

East London NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Bedford is seeking an enthusiastic Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to offer trauma-informed care to pregnant and postnatal women facing mental health challenges. This 12-month fixed-term position involves a blend of face-to-face and remote work, providing psychological assessments and leading therapeutic interventions. The ideal candidate will have a relevant postgraduate qualification, training in EMDR or CBT, and experience in public health. The role offers a supportive environment focusing on positive care for service users.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of recognized full-time psychological therapy or counselling training.
• Assessed experience as a qualified Clinical or Counselling psychologist.
• Experience working with various mental health disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialist, co-produced psychological input to women post-trauma.
• Manage other psychological therapists and conduct psychological assessments.
• Work within acute hospital and community settings.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong communication skills

Active listening skills

Ability to work independently

Consultation skills

Education

Post Graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical or Counselling Psychology

Post Qualification Training in EMDR or CBT

Supervisor training

Job description

The Bedfordshire and Luton Ocean service have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and reflective Clinical or Counselling Psychologist, or EMDR therapist, to work with pregnant and postnatal women who have moderate to severe mental health needs. This position is a 12 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. For internal candidates the possibility of a secondment or job-share can be considered.

The Ocean service provides specialist, trauma-informed care for women or birthing people who have experienced loss and trauma during their fertility or maternity journey. The team consists of a principal clinical psychologist, who is the clinical lead, psychological therapist, two specialist midwives, an assistant psychologist, and an administrator. We are looking for someone who is able to engage positively and sensitively with people with mental health difficulties and their support networks, and demonstrate an awareness of the experiences and challenges that face those experiencing mental health difficulties in the perinatal period.

The team has its administrative base in John Bunyan House in Bedford. The post will involve a blend of face to face and remote working but some work may require the ability to travel between sites and offer home visits, so a car owner/driver is essential.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for the provision of highly specialist, co produced, psychological input to women who have experienced loss and trauma through their maternity experience, particularly those vulnerable to poor health outcomes through poverty and other social inequalities, disabilities and physical health conditions and will also manage other psychological therapists. Psychological input includes highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions delivered within acute hospital and community settings as required.

The characteristics of the core population receiving direct services are women who have lost a baby through recurrent miscarriage, termination for fetal abnormality, still birth, and neo natal death, In addition, the service will provide for women who have experienced birth trauma, whose needs can not be met by Talking Therapies services or perinatal mental health team. The core population will be women who are experiencing emotional distress that requires specialist support and psychological intervention, but do not require a multi-disciplinary service or have high levels of risk. Work with partners may also be included where indicated by the formulation.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for the provision of highly specialist, co produced, psychological input to women who have experienced loss and trauma through their maternity experience, particularly those vulnerable to poor health outcomes through poverty and other social inequalities, disabilities and physical health conditions and will also manage other psychological therapists. Psychological input includes highly specialist psychological assessments, formulations and interventions delivered within acute hospital and community settings as required.

The characteristics of the core population receiving direct services are women who have lost a baby through recurrent miscarriage, termination for fetal abnormality, still birth, and neo natal death, In addition, the service will provide for women who have experienced birth trauma, whose needs can not be met by Talking Therapies services or perinatal mental health team. The core population will be women who are experiencing emotional distress that requires specialist support and psychological intervention, but do not require a multi-disciplinary service or have high levels of risk. Work with partners may also be included where indicated by the formulation.

Person Specification

Education

• Post Graduate Doctoral level training in Clinical or Counselling Psychology or equivalent accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). OR have an NHS Core Profession (Nurse, Allied Health Profession, Medical Doctor, Social Worker) or demonstrable equivalent knowledge, skills and attitudes AND Have completed a minimum of one year of recognised full-time (or equivalent part-time) psychological therapy or counselling training leading to a qualification, certification or accreditation recognised by a relevant professional or regulatory body plus relevant specialist short courses.
• Post Qualification Training in EMDR or CBT for trauma.
• Supervisor training.

Experience

• Assessed experience of working as a qualified Clinical or Counselling psychologist at a specialist level or assessed experience of working as a qualified psychotherapist, including post qualification experience as an adult psychotherapist, preferably in the NHS or similar public health provider.
• Good understanding of other professionals' theoretical perspectives of this client group.
• Experience of providing specialist psychological assessment, including cognitive and neurological assessment, and treatment of service users utilising at least two main models as appropriate (including EMDR or tfCBT) across the full range of care settings and clinical severity including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient.
• Experience of providing teaching, training and clinical supervision to junior psychologists and other professions.
• The application of psychologically informed interventions in different cultural contexts including working with interpreters.
• Experience with facilitating groups.

Knowledge

• The theory and practice of psychological assessment and therapies in relation to treatment of a range of mental health disorders including EMDR, (tf)CBT, CFT, and other trauma informed therapies.
• Risk assessment practice and procedures.
• The value of service user participation in the delivery and development of services.
• Knowledge of the presentation of complex mental health problems arising from maternal trauma and loss.

Skills

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and active listening skills with service users, carers and staff.
• Ability to work independently to maintain agreed caseload and activity levels.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.