Highly Specialist Practitioner Psychologist (Clinical/Counselling) Manchester
Job description
The post-holder will join a new pathway commissioned to meet the needs of those with Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS). In response to the healthcare needs reported by a proportion of people following infection with COVID-19, a national five-point plan has been published which includes the development of bespoke care pathways to complement existing primary, community and rehabilitation services.
A new service pathway has been developed across Manchester, Wigan, Salford, Bolton and Trafford which aims to address the well-being and mental health needs of people with PCS, many of whom will be living with significant functional impairment, uncertainty, and distress. This is an innovative role, working in partnership with Wigan, Wrightington & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), to improve how people affected by PCS can access high quality and evidence-based psychological therapies across Wigan and to contribute to a holistic care approach as part of WWL Post-COVID services.
The post-holder will join the existing GMMH PCS service that primarily delivers psychological therapies. The PCS team consists mostly of psychological wellbeing practitioners, cognitive-behavioural therapists and psychological therapists and incorporates a ‘hub’ of professionals representing Clinical Health Psychology, Neuropsychology and Pharmacy.
The post holder will be supported by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist to deliver a PCS Psychology service within the WWL footprint. They will be providing highly specialist psychological assessment for people affected by PCS with co-morbid and often complex psychological needs as well as group therapy.
The post holder will be offering clinical supervision within the GMMH PCS service and will be providing psychological expertise to WWL keyworkers. They will provide expert advice and consultation to members of the primary health care team and secondary care services in the application of psychological theories, models and approaches. As required, they will be expected to undertake audit, research, and service development activities. The post holder will adhere to service standards for clinical activity and work within the procedures, protocols and guidelines for the service. They will provide psychological services in line with national clinical guidelines and in accordance with professional guidelines for conduct, performance and ethics.
The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary, and should be committed to equal opportunities. The service is committed to improving access for clients and offering flexible working hours for staff.
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact Denise Gleave, Recruitment & Retention Advisor 0161 358 1448 / [email protected]
- To carry an independent caseload and to deliver multi-theoretical psychological assessment/interventions to individuals and groups through the application of knowledge and skills acquired through Doctoral (or equivalent) training, ongoing CPD activities and clinical supervision.
- To effectively manage a caseload of people experiencing a range of ‘common’ and more complex mental health and psychological needs in the context of fluctuating and persistent health conditions, often resulting in emotional adjustment difficulties, health management problems and high levels of emotional distress,
- To provide highly specialised psychological assessments of presenting needs, based on appropriate use, interpretation, and integration of complex psychological data from a variety of sources, including brief neuropsychological and psychometric tests, self-report measures, rating scales and semi-structured interviews with service users, family members and others involved in the service user’s care.
- To undertake routine risk assessment in line with the agreed service protocol and to offer risk management for service users as necessary. To provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management.
- To make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to service referral protocols, and where indicated refer unsuitable service users on to a relevant service or back to the referrer.
- To develop and communicate the formulation of a service user’s presenting needs that takes account of an array of physical health, psychological and social factors. To arrive at an appropriate and informed intervention plan where there is likely to be a number of options available.
- To be responsible for implementing and evaluating a range of psychological interventions for individuals and groups using evidence-based approaches.
- To assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process.
- To exercise an appropriate degree of autonomous professional responsibility for the assessment and treatment of service users in line with service standards and best practice guidance.
- To adhere to service performance standards and expectations regarding clinical activity and demonstrated effectiveness.
- To adhere to WWL NHS FT, GMMH NHS FT, Commissioning, and service requirements re: data collection.
- To attend relevant meetings relating to performance monitoring and service developments.
- To keep timely and coherent electronic records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.
- To work closely with other members of the wider GMMH PCS team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
- To work closely with key stakeholders in WWL and providers across the Wigan footprint. To provide holistic care as part of a joint or multi-disciplinary team approach and to represent a psychological perspective in care planning through attending appropriate clinical meetings across physical health and mental health settings.
- To carry out clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.
- To liaise with other health and social care staff from a range of agencies in the care provided to service users as appropriate.
- To provide specialist advice and consultation to other professionals/ individuals/groups /committees across Mental Health Trusts, Primary Care Trust and other voluntary agencies regarding service matters related to the practice and delivery of specific agreed therapeutic modalities and service provision.
- To organise day-to-day activities in line with agreed job plan, to prioritise clinical workload and achieve expected service standards.
- To contribute to the teaching and training of health professionals (across mental health and physical health) where appropriate.· To provide regular individual or group clinical supervision to qualified clinical psychologists, high and low intensity psychological therapists, trainee therapists and other roles (e.g. WWL keyworkers) as appropriate.· To ensure the maintenance and development of own skills in the areas of professional pre- and post-graduate teaching, training and clinical supervision.· To employ a broad theoretical knowledge of psychology/mental health and specialist skills to develop and support the skills of others through the development and delivery of within service teaching and training.· To ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to GMMH NHS Foundation Trust and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. HCPC, BABCP), and keep up to date on relevant national and international recommendations/guidelines (e.g. National Institute for Clinical Excellence, NHS England, World Health Organisation).· To be aware of and keep up to date with advances in applied psychology, psychological therapies and mental health across the lifespan. · To attend relevant forums, networks and webinars relevant to practitioner psychologists working in Post-COVID settings. · To ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with Line Manager as part of the appraisal process, job planning and continuing professional development (CPD).· To attend both clinical and managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Line Manager.· To participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.· To keep up to date CPD records and ensure that the personal development plan maintains specialist knowledge of the latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.· To undertake such CPD activities as are required to maintain and enhance clinical skills necessary for the delivery of high-quality psychological therapy services.· To participate in service improvement by highlighting issues and implementing changes in practice.· To contribute, as appropriate, to innovative approaches and the development of best practice within the service.
- To undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate Trust Operational Manager or Clinical Lead.
- To understand and comply with all Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.
- To understand the Trusts Strategic Goals and how they can be supported.
- To understand the need to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and adhere to all principles in effective safeguarding.
- To carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity and dignity in care/work policies and principles.
- To avoid unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and all stakeholders.
- To only access information (whether paper, electronic, or, in another media) which is authorised as part of the duties of the role.
- Not to communicate, inside or outside the NHS, information relating to patients, services users, staff, contractors or any information of a commercially sensitive nature, unless done in the normal course of carrying out the duties of the post and with appropriate permission.
- To maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date.
- To ensure day-to-day activities embrace sustainability and reduce the impact upon the environment by minimising waste and maximising recycling; saving energy; minimising water usage and reporting electrical faults, water leakages or other environmental concerns to the facilities department or line manager.
- To take reasonable care of personal health and safety and the health and safety of others at work.
- To contribute to the control of risk and to report any incident, accident or near miss.
- To protect service users, visitors and employees against the risk of acquiring health care associated infections.
- To take responsibility for your own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn in line with appraisal and supervision.
Staff benefits
Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
Excellent pension
Cycle to work scheme
Salary sacrifice car scheme
Wellbeing programme
Blue Light Card Discounts
