Clinical/Counselling Psychologist

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a full time Clinical/Counselling Psychologist role within the Richmond and Wandsworth Community Drug and Alcohol Service (RWCDAS) homeless pathway. This specialist NHS addictions service is run by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), as lead provider in partnership with non-statutory organisations: We are With You, St Mungo’s and Community Drug & Alcohol Recovery Services (CDARS). RWCDAS provides trauma informed community substance use disorders treatment for the residents of Richmond and Wandsworth.

The client group experience multiple disadvantage and have high levels of complex trauma and interpersonal difficulties coupled with substance misuse issues and risk-taking behaviour. There is growing recognition that trauma informed care should underpin the treatment of substance use disorders. The postholder will support clients and staff deliver a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) approach that is tailored to the individual needs of our local and diverse communities. This model of trauma informed care (TIC) takes into consideration how the psychological and emotional needs of the clients are affected by the environments they encounter and how services support them. This post involves specialist assessment, treatment, planning, implementation and monitoring of outcomes, clinical consultation, supervision and training as appropriate to third sector staff and to contribute to service development, audit and research.

Main duties of the job

This role sits within a growing and well-functioning psychology team within the service. There are close ties to the wider SLaM Addictions Clinical Academic Group (CAG) and links with experts in the field at the IOPPN. There is opportunity for CPD, teaching on MSC and DClinPsy courses as well as leadership within the role such as taking up trauma informed service development initiatives and supervising third sector colleagues. We would be delighted to welcome applications from soon to be or newly qualified counselling/clinical psychologists.

We champion Freedom To Speak Up locally, as well as actively ensuring an inclusive and anti-racist stance within the workplace and the work we do.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To provide specialist assessment and clinical formulation to clients with mental health needs as well as substance misuse issues (including but not limited to complex trauma, personality disorder, anxiety and depression, OCD, psychosis).
• To select and administer specialist in a highly skilled manner, to the required standard, psychological and neuropsychological assessments and clinical psychometrics (including specialised psychometric assessment, cognitive assessments, neuropsychological assessment, self- report measures, as appropriate), structured observations, clinical interviews, and to interpret and integrate this highly complex data.
• To select and deliver evidence-based specialist psychological treatments (1:1 and group interventions), monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions, drawing on a range of theoretical options.
• To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans.
• To contribute to the effective working of the team and to a psychologically informed framework for the service both within the teams and service environments.
• To take a role in supporting the development of patient health and social care pathways to ensure appropriate and timely interventions and access to mainstream services, where appropriate, for an excluded population.
• To communicate skilfully and sensitively complex and sensitive information taking account of sensory and cultural barriers to communication.
• To identify any aspects of the service which could be improved and contribute to the service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects.
• To contribute to the development of services through undertaking service evaluation and audit. Carrying out appropriate research to improve the assessment, treatment, and quality of care of patients. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.
• To create meaningful professional relationships with our partners that we can enhance joint working and trauma informed / PIE approaches across systems.
• To work as an autonomous professional within BPS guidelines and the policies and procedures of the service, taking full responsibility for own work including treatment and discharge decisions. Leadership: Teaching, Training, Consultation and Supervision
• To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychologist according to HCPC and Trust guidelines.
• To provide specialist training in psychological and trauma-informed approaches as well as psychosocial interventions to care for other professionals (incl. training other psychologists, third sector staff, peer support workers, addiction workers).
• To provide clinical supervision for psychological work undertaken by assistant psychologists, placement students and other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
• To manage agreed workload of assistant psychologists, under supervision from a more senior psychologist.
• To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within RWCDAS and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust services.
• To contribute to developments in psychology, mental health and addictions by contributing to teaching and training programmes including doctoral training courses.
• Develop and promote new ways of working across pathway from the emerging evidence base.

Research and service evaluation

• To support and participate in the formal evaluation of projects, including gathering and analysing output and outcome data, as required.
• To carry out appropriate research to improve the quality of care and provide research advice to other staff undertaking research within the service.
• To contribute to the development of systematic outcome measurement, assessment, implementation and assisting other staff in the implementation of same.
• To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

General Responsibilities

• To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with HCPC, BPS and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements.
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of key legislation in relation to the client group, current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies.
• To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.
• To comply with the HCPC ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’ and ensure professional development in line with the HCPC ‘Standards for Continuing Professional Development’ and ‘Standards of Proficiency’. To adhere to the BPS Psychology’s Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.
• To ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities served by the service.