Principal Practitioner Psychologist

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Clinical Psychologist to lead psychology input at Prospect Place within the Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub. The role involves delivering assessment, formulation, and intervention for adults with complex mental health needs in a low secure setting.

You will join a multidisciplinary team, provide clinical supervision, contribute to training, and participate in service development and governance with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed care

Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology or postgraduate training in forensic/counselling psychology
• Current registration with HCPC as a Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist
• Completion of further post-qualification training in psychological therapies (e.g., DBT, CBT, CAT, CFT, MBT)
• Post-qualification experience of specialist assessment and treatment in adults, including psychosis, inpatients
• Experience in MDT settings and providing clinical supervision to psychologists or allied professionals
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and ability to work within trauma-informed service developments

Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment, formulation and intervention for service users with complex mental health problems, including psychosis
• Deliver direct face-to-face clinical sessions and supervise psychosocial interventions
• Attend and contribute to MDT meetings; develop psychological formulations and provide training
• Lead and participate in service developments, quality improvement projects and governance activities

Skills

Clinical psychology

Forensic/ Counselling psychology

Leadership

Supervision of psychologists

Training & teaching

Trauma-informed care

Research & audit

Strong communication

Education

Doctoral level training in Clinical Psychology

HCPC registration as Clinical/Forensic/Counselling Psychologist

Post-qualification training in psychological therapies (e.g., DBT, CBT)

Job description

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If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join our#PennineCarePeople

We are looking for a highly skilled, compassionate, experienced Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist to join us in Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Low Secure Services, which form part of the Rehabilitation and High Support (RHS) Care hub. The post will suit an enthusiastic Psychologist with skills across a wide range of therapeutic approaches and consultation skills, combined with a desire to work within a low secure setting.

Prospect Place is part of the Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub in Pennine Care. Prospect Place is a 45-bed low secure unit that opened in 2011 and is based on the site of Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale. The unit is for men aged 18 to 65 years, who have a diagnosed psychotic disorder, and have been detained under the Mental Health Act. Alcohol and drug misuse are often a part of the problems faced by patients. A secure setting may be required to help address challenges around the patient's view of their illness and the vulnerabilities and risks to themselves and others that may result from this.

There is free parking at Birch Hill Hospital site and allocated office space.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for the promotion and management of high-quality psychology input at Prospect Place. The post holder will be part of a respected psychology team that includes a Principal Forensic Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Forensic Psychologists and Assistant Psychologists. They will work as part of a wider team of other Psychologists within RHS. Supervision will be provided by the Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Clinical Lead in RHS.

The post will require you to provide psychological assessment, formulation and intervention to service users who present with complex mental health problems, including psychosis, alongside a possible history of trauma, substance misuse and forensic histories. The post holder will provide direct face-to-face clinical sessions and support the psychosocial intervention work of colleagues. The post-holder will support the ongoing work in RHS on trauma informed care and reducing restrictive practices.

The post holder would be joining the MDT at Prospect Place. You will be expected to attend MDT meetings and to facilitate regular regular reflective groups to offer the MDT reflective space, develop psychological formulations and provide bespoke training. In addition, you will provide one-to-one clinical supervision to Psychologists and other members of the MDT as appropriate. The post will require you to be involved in service developments, Quality Improvement projects and governance within the service as required.

Working for our organisation

We support staff to work flexibly and recognise and respect the roles our colleagues hold outside of their working hours.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda. We believe that a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture is vital; that everyone’s value should be recognised and respected.

We proactively challenge injustices, and are the only Trust in the North West to publicly recognise our commitment to becoming anti-racist and supporting our transgender and non-binary colleagues. We also have thriving staff networks to make sure everyone has a voice.

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. We’re really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.

We are committed to staff development through shared learning, training and peer supervision. We are working hard in the Rehabilitation and High Support Care Hub to reduce restrictive practices, and to provide trauma-informed care.

Our trust values are:

Kindness

Determination

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description and person specification to support your application for this post. Please refer to the essential criteria in the person specification which will highlight the skills, knowledge and experience you will need to demonstrate in your application, by way of example, to give yourself the best opportunity to be shortlisted.

For further details, discussion or to arrange an informal visit please contact Dr Louisa McNair, Consultant Clinical Psychologist on 07917 503634 or [e-mail]

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (including specific models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychological assessments, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan development psychology as accredited by the BPS) or postgraduate training in Forensic Psychology or Counselling Psychology
• Current registration as a Clinical, Forensic or Counselling Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.
• Completion of further post qualification training within psychological therapies (e.g., DBT, CBT, CAT, CFT, MBT etc)

Experience

• Demonstrable post-qualification experience of specialist assessment and treatment of adult clients and those with psychological difficulties in an inpatient setting.
• Demonstrable post-qualification experience of working with complex mental health problems, including distressing psychosis, problems associated with complex relational and emotional needs, and severe depression, anxiety and trauma.
• Demonstratable experience of working with people experiencing a suicidal crisis
• Demonstrable experience of working within inpatient adult multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience of clinical leadership within a previous role
• Demonstratable experience of providing clinical supervision to psychologists, psychological practitioners or other core health professions
• Demonstratable experience of providing teaching/ training upon clinical interventions.
• Demonstratable experience of managing demand for psychological services within a form of stepped-care framework (i.e., an approach based upon the provision of direct care, and supporting other professionals in their provision of psychosocial work)
• Experience of clinical leadership
• Ability to demonstrate further specialist clinical experience and training
• Experience of audit and service evaluation within psychological therapy services
• Research experience within an area relevant to work within an adult service
• Demonstratable experience of the application of psychological therapy in diverse cultural and ethnic contexts

Knowledge

• Understanding of the national and regional legislation, guidance and policy directives in relation to the development and delivery of psychological therapies within inpatient services.
• Evidence of post-qualification CPD as recommended by the HCPC and, or BPS, or other professional body.
• Up to date knowledge of the needs of people with complex mental health problems, and of psychological approaches to recovery.
• Awareness of the principles of a trauma informed care approach.
• Familiarity with computing technology, including keyboard skills and use of word-processing, e-mail and internet software.
• Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and approaches for adults with complex mental health problems.
• Publication of training, service evaluation, clinical audit and research material

Skills and abilities

• Ability to work with service users, carers and families to engage with their needs and provide them with appropriate psychological support and intervention
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non professional groups
• Well developed, effective communication skills, both oral and in writing, enabling complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to be shared with service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues within the NMHS and other agencies
• Ability to prioritise work, operate a waiting list, meet short deadlines and an unpredictable work pattern that requires regular revision of plans
• Ability to sit in a constrained position for service user assessment, formulation and individual and group therapy sessions and for computer work
• Ability to work at a high level of professional autonomy and responsibility, in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment and also as a lone worker in circumstances where there may be exposure to verbal and sometimes physical aggression.
• Able to sustain the intense concentration necessary for service user assessment and formulation, individual and group therapy sessions
• Ability to work and communicate highly sensitive, contentious information effectively in a highly emotive or hostile atmosphere, and to overcome barriers to acceptance/ psychological resistance to potentially threatening information
• Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to staff and carers exposed to highly distressing situations
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour.
• Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multi-media materials, suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings
• Ability to demonstrate an area of special interest/ skill in therapeutic intervention
• Ability to move equipment (including case files, neuropsychological tests, self-help materials, audiovisual equipment) between office base and other work settings.

Work related circumstances

• 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 Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
• Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.

We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the government website.

Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.

If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email

To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line withNHS Employment Check Standards . These include:

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.

Pennine Care are committed to the ‘Pledge to Flex’ initiative as flexible working is a day one right for all colleagues. “We can work flexibly, doing whatever work pattern fits our needs, regardless of the type of role we’re in. As a modern and model employer, flexible and less than full-time working isn’t a barrier to progress in the NHS – it is commonplace” This policy brings this part of the People Promise to life. It will provide you with the information you need, support you to have conversations and take steps towards working in a way that suits you best.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.

If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.

Please note:

• We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Dr Louisa McNair Job title Consultant Clinical Psychologist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 07917 503634

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
225 Old Street
225 Old Street
OL6 7SR
Telephone [phone]