Clinical Psychologist

Job overview

Across Learning Disability Services in Gloucestershire there are several qualified and pre-qualification Psychologists who work closely together to promote a psychologically informed approach to supporting people with a learning disability. A broad range of psychological models are drawn upon and valued across the service and clinicians are encouraged to develop areas of special interest. We have a good track record of supporting ongoing CPD and there are regular meetings of Psychologists across teams and specialities to consider professional issues, service innovation and joint working. As a Trust we have close links with the Doctorate Training Course at Bath University and regularly take trainees on placement, also inputting to the course curriculum.

You will join a strong and welcoming multi-disciplinary team, working to deliver an applied psychology model that promotes and supports effective psychological outcomes through direct and indirect models of working and therefore consultation, teaching and staff support will form an essential component of the post alongside direct clinical work.

Good relational skills, leadership qualities, a positive approach in work, and a solid understanding of psychological approaches for the client-group are all essential requirements for this post. We welcome applications from interested applicants with relevant post-qualification experience and expertise in learning disabilities and autism, along with appropriate HCPC registration.

Main duties of the job

• To be responsible for promoting the psychological health and well-being of people with a Learning Disability referred to the Community Learning Disabilities Team.
• To directly provide and at band 8a co-ordinate highly specialist psychological assessment and intervention services to individuals/ groups/organisations, using a variety of applied psychology models.
• To provide clinical supervision for pre-qualified psychology staff according to experience and general/specialist psychological model and at band 8a to provide placements and supervision to Doctoral Clinical Psychology trainees and other psychological practitioners in training.
• To participate in relevant research and audit activity and at band 8a to utilise research skills for audit, policy and service development
• To provide clinical services within the service area covered by the community team and wider LD Psychology service. The  CLDT's comprise of another qualified Psychologist and a range of multi-disciplinary staff.
• Service delivered in a wide range of settings and locations: client homes, residential services, day care, educational facilities, GP practices, office / clinic, hospital wards.

Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will join a strong and welcoming multi-disciplinary CLDT that is co-located with Teams that work with other client groups. The role requires effective work within this context in order to provide a service to service-users with Learning Disabilities, their families, and carers.

There are 6 other qualified Psychologists working within the Learning Disability Service in Gloucestershire. Working relationships are excellent and you will be well supported. A broad range of psychological models are drawn upon and valued. Clinicians are encouraged to develop areas of special interest and we have a good track record of supporting CPD. We have close links with the Doctorate Training Course at Bath University and regularly support a number of training placements. There are regular meetings of Psychologists across teams to consider professional issues, service innovation, and joint working initiatives.

You will be able to demonstrate professional and clinical skills directly relevant to the specialism including the use of psychological assessment methods and formulation based interventions. This post would appeal to those who have a ‘can do’ attitude, and who would relish the opportunity to continue developing the service. The role requires an adaptable, flexible, resilient, hard-working team member who has excellent organisational skills and the ability to use their own initiative.

We welcome discussion/applications both from those with the relevant experience and HCPC registration, and also from those who are about to qualify / have more recently completed training. In the latter case we would discuss amendments to role with a view to appointing at Band 8a, or Band 7,  supporting progression to Band 8a role.

The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.