Clinical Psychologist

Job summary

The Walton Centre is seeking one permanent Band 7 Clinical Psychologist to provide psychological support to patients and families within the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network. The CMRN holds an outstanding reputation for the delivery of specialist rehabilitation services across a pathway from hyper-acute to community services. The CMRN uniquely provides support to a diverse range of individuals with complex physical and/or brain injuries, based upon patient need, rather than diagnosis.

The post holder would join an established, warm and supportive network-wide Psychology team, led by a Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist with QiCN registration.

The post holder will be based in our Complex Rehabilitation Unit (CRU)

Psychological input is extremely varied and can include direct work with patients and families, including therapeutic work, neuropsychological assessment and working as part of a highly skilled clinical team. There is the opportunity to draw from a number of psychological models. There is a strong emphasis on person-centred approaches and MDT consultation/systemic work.

The post provides opportunity for development in neuropsychological working, with access to specialist supervision with a QCiN registered Consultant Neuropsychologist, where required.

Main duties of the job

1. To provide clinical and neuropsychological input for patients with complex rehabilitation needs as a part of the Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN).
2. To conduct specialist neuropsychological and psychological assessments with patients and manage own specialist caseload.
3. To deliver evidence-based interventions based upon clinical formulation.
4. To engage in effective MDT working and provide consultation and support to other clinical members of the team, where required.
5. To work autonomously within the professional guideline and undertake regular supervision, with the opportunity for clinical supervision of others.

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Doctor of Clinical Psychology as accredited by HCPC including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology.
• Competence in two or more distinct psychological approaches to assessment, formulation and treatment.
• Registration with The Health & Care Professions Council as a 'Practitioner Psychologist'.

Desirable

• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Formal training in supervision of other psychologists.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Experience of Neuropsychological assessment and intervention with neurological conditions/acquired brain injury.
• Possess communication skills to convey sensitive information.
• Significant experience of representing psychology within the context of multidisciplinary care.
• Ability to work cohesively with a wider MDT.
• Able to use clinical judgement to assess clinical risk and patient safety.
• Possess and apply advanced range of psychological theories in the areas of health psychology, clinical psychology counselling psychology and Neuropsychology.
• Ability to identify and promote appropriate means of support to carers and staff exposed to highly distressing situations and challenging behaviours.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching, training and/or professional and facilitating clinical supervision.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professionals and non-professional groups.

Other

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to undertake frequent episodes of intense concentration.
• Able to facilitate the integrations of psychological techniques within a neurological environment and identify areas for service development.
• Able to organise and facilitate patient care within a flexible framework using interpersonal skills.