About this role
Job summary
Principal Clinical/Counselling Psychologist/Psychotherapist
Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Unit
0.6wte
This is an exciting opportunity for a senior clinical/counselling psychologist/psychotherapist to join the Inpatient Psychological Therapies Service at the H&F Mental Health Unit.
Based on our male PICU, the postholder will work collaboratively with the ward's multidisciplinary team providing a comprehensive psychological service. Reflective practice, team formulation, consultation and post-incident support are an integral part of the role.
As a senior clinician, you will provide clinical supervision and line management to both qualified and unqualified psychological therapists and hold leadership responsibility for unit-wide projects aimed at developing psychological skills in the acute mental health workforce and a trauma-informed approach to care.
We welcome applications from experienced psychologists/psychotherapists with previous experience working in acute mental health services.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will:
Provide a comprehensive psychological service, offering assessment, formulation and brief evidence-based psychological interventions.
Develop the multidisciplinary team's psychological understanding through teaching,team formulation andconsultation.
Provide post-incident support to the ward teams to support staff wellbeing and psychological safety.
Lead unit-wide projects aimed at developing psychological skills in the acute mental health workforce and a trauma-informed approach to care. This centres on the implementation of RAID, an approach to managing behaviours that challenge, and the introduction of stabilisation skills training and supervision.
Clinically supervise and line manage staff within the psychology team and/or MDT colleagues where appropriate.
Be responsible for the clinical governance, quality and appropriateness of the work of the inpatient psychological therapies service.
Opportunity for service development and research.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative
Job description Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Doctoral level training in clinical or counselling psychology or its equivalent, including specifically models of psychopathology, clinical psychometrics and neuropsychology, two or more distinct psychological therapies and lifespan developmental psychology as accredited by the BPS and/or UKCP Registered / BACP (accred.) psychotherapist with a Level 7 psychotherapy qualification and aligned with Column C of PCB. Professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and/or UKCP/BACP. Training in clinical supervision for doctoral, and equivalent, trainees. Extensive experience working as a Band 8a
Desirable
Evidence of post-doctoral training in psychological therapies relevant to severe and enduring mental health difficulties including for example DBT/ CBT-P/ Systemic Practice. Training in the supervision of psychological therapies.
Experience Essential
Substantial post qualification experience of working in mental health settings delivering specialist psychological assessment, formulation and interventions across a range of settings including community, primary care, inpatient, crisis services. Extensive experience working in acute inpatient services. Experience of working with a wide range of client groups across the whole life course presenting with a range of psychological problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team. Substantial post qualification experience and/or training in working with adults affected by psychological trauma. Experience of providing clinical supervision to assistant/trainee and qualified psychologists/psychotherapists. Experience of the application of psychology/psychotherapy in different cultural contexts including working with interpreters. Experience of delivering teaching and training. Experience of facilitating reflective practice. Experience of service development/change leadership.
Desirable
Experience of having facilitated/co-facilitated psychological therapy groups. Experience of having facilitated/co-facilitated psychological interventions with carers and/or families. Experience working in other acute mental health services (HTT, crisis intervention services, psychiatric liaison). Experience of working on a PICU. Experience of line managing members of staff.
Knowledge & Skills Essential
Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and management. High level knowledge of the theory and practice of at least two specialised psychological therapies. Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS. Post-graduate knowledge of research methodology, research design and complex, multivariate data analysis as practiced within the clinical fields of psychology/psychotherapy. Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BPS/UKCP/BACP Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies in specific psychological problems (e.g. personality disorder and dual diagnosis). Knowledge and awareness of the trauma informed approach. Knowledge of racial and other diversity issues and factors impacting access to mental health care and the use of restrictive practices. Skills in providing consultation to other professionals. Knowledge of relevant legislation. Able to provide and receive complex and sensitive information with empathy and transparency.
Desirable
Skills in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, e.g. complex psychometric testing and specialist neuropsychological testing Knowledge of Culture of Care, RAID and TRiM. Knowledge of quality improvement methodology. Knowledge of the NHS Leadership Framework and Positive Leadership Models.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name West London NHS Trust
Address Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Unit
Claybrook Road
London
W6 8NF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)