Practitioner Psychologist, Bariatric Surgery Service

at  University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This is an exciting opportunity to join the UCLH Centre for Weight Management, Metabolic and Endocrine Surgery. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic psychologist to join the Multi-Disciplinary Team (consisting of surgeons, dietitians, clinical nurse specialists, specialist physician, anaesthetist). This is an incredibly rewarding area to work in, providing support to a population of people who have often experienced stigma and shame because of their weight.
We hope to provide a compassionate and understanding service, working with people both pre- and post-operatively to start making changes towards caring for themselves in a way that is in line with their values. This is within a context of exploring motivations for, and understanding of, surgery, supporting reflective decision-making and setting and achieving goals in line with preparing for and living with weight loss surgery.
The post holder will contribute to the assessment and treatment of individuals referred for bariatric surgery and patients requiring further support in the pre- or post-operative period, under the supervision of an 8a psychologist. Experience of working with people affected by obesity in a weight management or bariatric surgery service, surgical services more generally or with people who have struggled with disordered eating or eating disorders, is essential.
The post holder will also contribute to service development and evaluation initiatives, including service user involvement.
Please be advised that we will only accept applications from candidates qualified to use the protected title of Clinical or Counselling Psychologist.
To provide specialist psychological assessment in relation to mental health, history of obesity and eating difficulties in people referred for bariatric surgery and using a range of assessment methods as appropriate, making recommendations to the multi-disciplinary team.
To formulate and devise psychological treatment and management plans for referred clients and to provide psychological treatment using a range of specialist psychological interventions (group and individual).
To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals e.g. dieticians and clinical nurse specialists, to assist in the formulation, diagnosis and treatment of clients.
To exercise autonomous professional responsibility for the psychological assessment and treatment of patients within the service, referring to the Senior Psychologist for guidance where appropriate.
To provide reports and communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients. To communicate across language and cultural barriers (utilising interpreters) remaining respectful of difference and responding to these appropriately within clinical contexts.
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology .
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

UCLH top trust to work at in England – for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England – for the second year in a row.

UCLH top trust to work at in England – for the second year running ! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust .
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work .
This vacancy has been advertised in accordance with the new NHS pay rate which will take effect from autumn 2024. Please note if your employment starts before the 24/25 pay scales are implemented you will be paid under the 23/24 pay scales and any backpay will be adjusted accordingly. Further information can be found at https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/pay-scales-20242

Please refer the Job description for details