Clinical Psychologist

Job summary

PALMS is expanding again and we are seeking to appointamotivated, committed, flexible and forward thinkingClinical Psychologistto contribute to the development of an Intensive Intervention Team (IIT) for the PALMS' population.

The PALMS' IIT will include an Administrator, Clinical Psychologist, Consultant Psychiatrist, Outreach Workers, PALMS' Urgent Responders and/or Mental Health Practitioners and a Specialist Positive Behaviour Analyst. This MDT will work collaboratively and in collaboration with the wider PALMS' MDT to support these CYP as well as working with colleagues in the existing Hertfordshire crisis service C-CATT (CAMHS Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team).

This post attracts a Recruitment and Retention Premium of 3000 pro rata, to be paid in 3 instalments: 1000 (pro rata) after 6 months (upon completion of successful probationary period) and a further 1000 (pro rata) 6 months after probation; and a final payment of 1000 (pro rata) 6 months after this. Not applicable for internal candidates.

Main duties of the job

The ideal candidate will be:

Passionate about and have a desire to contribute to change in a vibrant NHS team

Dedicated to supporting CYP with autism and/or learning disability and their families.

Collaborative in their approach to work with families, networks, and others services

Able to work both in a team environment and autonomously

Able to maintain a high degree of professionalism when working in settings where there is a highly emotive atmosphere.

Flexible in their approach and have resilience under pressure

Have professional registration for your speciality

About us

We can offer you:

Regular clinical and professional supervision including opportunities to meet as a team including peer reflection and Intervision

Regular appraisal, personal development planning and opportunities for continuing professional development. This includes specific support with regards to fulfilling the PALMS' role.

Opportunities to work closely with a multi-disciplinary team and learn from other evidence based frameworks and approaches.

Opportunities to provide clinical supervision and line management to other members of the PALMS team as appropriate.

Opportunities to connect with local and national networks

Involvement in providing training

Job description

Job responsibilities

PALMS has longstanding commissioning arrangements to provide input toCYP on three distinct pathways of tailored intervention: standard, heavy and intensive. There has been an increase in the number of CYP presenting in/at risk of going into crisis; These children and families require a significant amount of clinical input to enable de-escalation, reduce risks and decrease the likelihood of being placed out of county.

Throughout 2020/21 PALMS have been able to collect robust data on the time and skills required to meet the needs of CYP presenting in crisis and demonstrated significant positive outcomes for CYP and their families. In addition, PALMS has been able to evidence the importance of a MDT approach to support these CYP. Simultaneously, Hertfordshire is committed to realising the vision of the long term plan. PALMS have therefore been provided with additional funding to support the PALMS population who are at risk of, or at, crisis.

Alongside supporting these CYP and their families, the work of the team will provide decision makers with evidence informed options and clear recommendation for developing and delivering an effective multiagency crisis service that is responsive to needs within Hertfordshire and which fully meets the vision of the long term plan.

The post is permanent; Roleswithin the IIT are flexible in terms of base as most of the work will be within the community across the county and as such a full valid driving license and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

We are committed to supporting flexible working options for staff, wherever possible, and welcome discussions on flexible working patterns to support our staff to maintain a healthy work life balance.

Interviews will be run either in person at one of our bases or using Microsoft Teams, full details and instructions will be provided to successful candidates.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

1a)Degree or equivalent in relevant field Professional Qualification (RMN, DipSW, OT or equivalent) supplemented by post graduate diploma specialist training, experience, short courses plus further specialist training to master's equivalent level.

1b) Doctoral level training in clinical psychology (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996), including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology.

Experience in relevant mental health/learning disability setting.

Specialist knowledge within the field of clinical skills gained through theoretical and practical training and experience.

Membership of relevant professional bodies

Desirable

Approved mental health professional (AMHP)

Further training in relevant areas of Autism, Learning Disability and mental health.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

Significant experience of risk assessment within a mental health or learning disability setting.

Comprehensive assessment skills

Significant experience of working clinically in a mental health and/or learning disability setting assessing, containing and managing complex cases in a multi-disciplinary setting

Experience of working with people who have a learning disability and/or autistic spectrum disorder.

Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole course of presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the treat of physical abuse

Knowledge of child development, child and adolescent mental health and a range of therapeutic models

Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised therapies and assessment methodologies

Multi-Disciplinary Team and multi-agency working

Experience of dealing with Safeguarding Incidents.

Knowledge of relevant legislation and national policies

Multi-Disciplinary Team and multi-agency working

Experience of dealing with Safeguarding Incidents.

Knowledge of relevant legislation and national policies

Knowledge of evidence based practice

An understanding of the impact of Learning Disability, Autism and mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour on family life.

Desirable

• To have good knowledge of local community services
• Provision of effective clinical/practice supervision
• Experience of developing and delivering training and/or groups

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to lead professionally and managerially.
• Ability to identify appropriate evidence based interventions for mental health and/or challenging behaviou
• Ability to communicate effectively when under pressure and dealing with challenging phone calls.
• Ability to perform under pressure, to be able to analyse information effectively, therefore ensuring correct conclusion for action.
• Ability to prioritise workload. Evidence of well-developed critical decision-making skills Ability to access various sources of information.
• An ability to make autonomous clinical judgements involving highly complex facts and situations
• High level of communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate effectively complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to a range of audiences.
• An ability and commitment to work as a member of a team and effectively communicate with the team
• Excellent IT skills including use of databases and spreadsheets
• Ability to concentrate for prolonged periods
• Ability to use supervision appropriately and effectively.
• Ability to recognise the emotional consequences of working with children with distressing and life changing disorders and seek support if needed.
• Ability to recognise signs of stress and to seek appropriate support.
• Ability to work as part of a 'virtual team'.
• Ability to think clearly and express self.
• Ability to work with children & young people whose behaviour is personally challenging.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships
• Ability to manage potentially distressing telephone calls and situations.
• An ability to work effectively in a range of direct care settings with families, carers and staff
• Ability to work independently, reliably and consistently
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly including evenings and weekends as required.

Other

Essential

A full valid driving licence and access to a car to use for business purposes is essential (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Willingness to travel to alternate locations to provide services.

Eligible to live and work in the UK

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship