Clinical or Counselling Psychologist

Job summary

This post offers an exciting opportunity to work in the Pain Management Centre within University College London NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will work alongside other clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, nursing, medical and administrative colleagues within a vibrant and supportive multidisciplinary team to improve the quality of life of individuals experiencing persistent pain.

The post involves providing evidence based interventions which draw on a broad cognitive behavioural framework with a focus on processes which promote psychological flexibility in particular.

The job offers an excellent opportunity to develop teamworking, managerial and leadership skills as well as greater clinical expertise through regular internal and external Continued Professional Development opportunities.

Experience of working with people with persistent pain in pain management programmes is desirable. Supervision is provided by a Senior Clinical Psychologist.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic psychologist with well-developed skills in engaging people, communication and team working. The ability to develop patient-centred treatment plans is essential as is the capacity to respond adaptively to feedback and address obstacles and setbacks creatively.

We are looking for an individual who is interested in reflective practice both in their daily clinical work and as regards continued professional development with the team.

The focus of clinical work includes engaging therapeutically with individuals to improve their quality of life in the presence of pain in individual sessions, assessments and within Pain Management Programmes.

The post involves responsibility for line managing and supervising clinical psychologists at band 7 level and/or trainee clinical/counselling psychologists.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• BA Hons or BSc Hons in Psychology recognised by the BPS and HCPC
• Doctorate in Clinical or Counselling Psychology
• Health and Care Professions Council registration as a Practitioner Psychologist

Desirable

• Working towards further postgraduate qualifications

Experience

Essential

• Multi-professional team working
• Working with people with physical health problems
• Working within a multi-cultural framework
• Change management and problem-solving
• Contribution to initiatives to improve patient experiences

Desirable

• Working with people with persistent pain
• Postgraduate teaching and training

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to use and understand Excel spreadsheets
• Ability to understand NHS health and safety and quality issues
• Ability to apply psychological approaches to medical populations

Desirable

• Experience of dictating clinical letters/reports

Communication

Essential

• Experience with communicating complex and/or sensitive information to patients with pain
• Experience with managing angry and frustrated patients
• Experience with communicating confidently within a large multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to initiate regular feedback from colleagues regarding performance
• Ability to recognise the need for and seek appropriate advice
• Proven ability to communicate using various methods to a range of professionals
• Ability to present complex psychological issues to non-psychologists

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Able to work under pressure to strict timescales
• Highly organised with effective time management
• Ability to respond to changing service needs with flexibility and innovation

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.
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 .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see.