Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist inMilton Keynes inMilton Keynes PUBLISHED 31 AUG 2024

Job Overview


We are seeking a highly motivated, adaptable and innovative Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to join a friendly multi-disciplinary team to develop the psychological care for Assertive Outreach with in the Community Mental Health Hub (the Hub). Applicants should have experience in Assertive Outreach or strong transferable skills in working systemically.

The Hub offers an accessible service to people with mental health problems in Milton Keynes. The service is needs-led, offering medical, social and psychological interventions to all on a stepped care model. Therapists offer a range of evidence-based interventions for a wide range of mental health problems.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be key in developing a new offer of psychological therapies to service users who are hard to engage, predominantly with a diagnoses of psychosis The expectation within Assertive Outreach (AO) is that families and carers are also supported and the post holder will be expected to play a role in developing systemic formulations with staff. They will need to be flexible, adaptable and willing to work in difficult circumstances so the role will suit a psychologist with experience working in unique settings in novel ways.

Alongside working in AO the post holder will be able to contribute to the broader remit of therapists in the Hub, maintaining their therapeutic skills working with a range of clients. They will be involved in screening and assessing referrals, managing wait lists, and providing psychological consultation to colleagues and other services. The post holder will receive regular supervision and support from the Clinical Lead and Operational manager, as well as peer support and guidance from other team members. They will have the opportunity to become involved with quality improvement projects and other initiatives that enhance the service user experience. They will also be linked in with Trust – wide psychological professions’ initiatives and events.

Working for our organisation

As a Trust we are committed to investing in our staff through a range of initiatives, both profession-specific and organisation wide. Psychological professions staff are able to access a range of trust-wide CPD initiatives including an offer from partners Bespoke and Contextual Consulting CNWL also has seven established staff networks supporting a range of individual needs.

Hear directly from our leaders and their vision for psychological professions in the Trust here.

Learn more about working in Milton Keynes here.

Welcome to Psychological Therapies at Milton Keynes Mental Health Services :: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (cnwl.nhs.uk)


Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• assessment and risk management for all service-users in attendance within the service, including the protective and risk factors present in the network of significant relationships.
• To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner, information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of service-users under their care and to monitor and evaluate progress during the course of their MDT care.
• To liaise with other professionals, and work jointly with those involved with individuals and provide updates as appropriate.
• The post holder will develop close working relationships with other providers of mental health support within MK.
• To attend review meetings, case conferences, CPAs and network meetings as appropriate and to oversee similar activity within the team.
• To maintain adequate clinical notes of all work undertaken including current electronic systems and to ensure appropriate written communication is maintained with GPs, and other parties.
  
  

Person specification


Qualifications


Essential criteria

• Training in supervision
• Post doctoral training and qualification in one or more specialist therapies
• Doctoral level training in clinical psychology, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuro-psychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies development psychology as accredited by the BPS
• To be registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Qualification in CBT for Psychosis
• Qualification in family therapy
  
  

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management frequently requiring sustained and intense concentration.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of legislation and NICE guidance in relation to this client group
  
  

Skills


Essential criteria

• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information with clients, carers and colleagues overcoming barriers to communication including sensory, and emotional difficulties, cultural differences and hostility to or rejection of information
• Skills in providing consultation and supervision to other professional and non-professional groups and assistants
  
  

Experience


Essential criteria

• Experience of specialist psychological assessment and treatment of clients with complex psychosis and/or trauma
• Experience of working in MDT settings in particular the demonstrated ability to work jointly in assessment interventions with multidisciplinary team members
• Theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and the evidence base for the relevant treatment
• Experience of work with care-givers/families