Clinical/Counselling Psychologist / Psychological Therapist

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000

Job description

Clinical/Counselling Psychologist / Psychological Therapist

Within Devon community perinatal services we have carefully thought about the structure of our service and have increased the resource. We hope this demonstrates a deep appreciation and valuing of psychology and reflects our intention to create a stable and well-resourced perinatal psychology team.

As a service, we have been able to offer a wide range of training, clinical and leadership opportunities that have been fundamental to the strong career trajectory that psychologists have held whilst working in the service.

We are continuing to grow and develop as a psychology team that sits within the wider MDT. For example, Exeter perinatal psychology and the Perinatal Loss and Trauma Therapy Service, which is part of the wider community perinatal service, have acquired their own estates for two days a week. These estates act as a hub for psychologists across Devon to meet face to face within working hours. This space has also allowed for us to meet with clients in a way that is therapeutically congruent with how we would want to welcome those we work alongside.

A principal purpose of this job is to improve the psychological health and wellbeing of women and birthing people, who present with severe and complex mental health needs during the perinatal period, and their babies and families. Psychology also supports to create a trauma-informed environment.

Main duties of the job

This will be achieved in this post through undertaking the following areas of responsibility:

1. Providing a Clinical/Counselling Psychology or Psychological Therapy service to people using the Perinatal Mental Health service, as a key component of services provided by Devon Partnership Trust.
2. Carrying a specialist caseload of clients, and providing advice and consultancy to clients, family members, carers and professionals.
3. Providing clinical supervision for trainees and volunteers employed by, or attached to, the Perinatal Mental Health Teams, and to the Psychology Service, as required.
4. Supported by senior colleagues within their specialist field, the post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical skills with this client group.
5. Working autonomously within professional guidelines and exercising responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice within professional and Trust guidelines.
6. Receiving regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance with Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body.
7. Observing, and abiding by all relevant Professional Codes of Conduct and Practice. The post holder will be fully registered with the appropriate recognized professional body.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge and familiarity of specialist mental health services and of the services in the NHS where psychology and psychological therapies are commonly applied.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures relating to Child Protection.
• Knowledge of specialist services for mothers and babies within the perinatal period.
• Knowledge of the policy context of specialist psychological services within the organisation and of clinical leadership arrangements in this setting.

Experience

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, community, primary care and inpatient settings.
• Experience, and/or training in diversity awareness and social inequality.
• Experience of working under supervision in secondary care adult mental health services.
• Experience of working with perinatal and postnatal women with severe and complex mental health difficulties.
• Experience of teaching, training and/or supervision.

Qualifications

• Qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychologist (D.Clin.Psychol. or equivalent), eligible for Chartered Clinical or Counselling Psychologist Status with the British Psychological Society and Registered with HCPC. Psychological Therapists need to be trained to Masters level or equivalent in a specific psychological therapy and registered with an appropriate recognised professional body e.g. UKCP, BABCP.
• We also welcome applications from current trainees who are due to complete their qualifications this academic year.
• Further training or experience in Perinatal Mental Health.
• Further training in related area.
• Further training in at least one (other) psychological therapy.
• IT Skills.

Skills & Abilities

• Communication and Working Relationship Skills;
• Excellent verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical & Judgemental Skills;
• Ability to integrate complex data; make highly skilled evaluations and decisions; and take a long-term perspective.
• Planning and Organisational Skills;
• Proven organisational, planning and time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with deadlines.
• Physical Skills;
• Presentable.
• Calm, methodical approach, friendly but concise.
• Good communication skills when presenting / facilitating to varying groups of people.
• Other;
• An Enhanced DBS Check will be required for this role.
• Ability to work independently and use initiative within a service consisting of a network of teams.
• Ability to work as a member of a clinical team.
• Ability to tolerate ambiguity and maintain own morale and motivation in challenging service delivery contexts.
• Ability to travel within the geographical area covered by the Devon Perinatal Community Mental Health Teams.

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.