Principal Practitioner Psychologist

at  Devon Partnership NHS Trust

The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with long term health conditions presenting within the community Health and Social Care Team services. This will be achieved in this post through undertaking the following key areas of responsibility: Providing a timely and appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive, emotional and behavioural dysfunction experienced by patients with stroke or other acquired neurological conditions. Working proactively in partnership with other health and social care professionals and carers in order to support individuals to understand, adjust and cope with their condition Provide clinical leadership and supervision for less experienced staff, trainees and volunteers employed by or attached to the defined services. Carry and manage a specialist caseload of clients, and providing advice and consultancy to clients and professionals.
Ensuring all healthcare records and documentation is at a high quality standard in line with British Psychological Society, Devon Partnership Trust Policies and Northern Devon Healthcare Trust Policies. Ensuring that patient data is appropriately recorded. Working within the policies, protocols and guidance of Devon Partnership Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare Trust. Working autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice within professional and DPT guidelines as lead specialist.
Receiving regular professional and clinical supervision in accordance to Trust policy and to Professional Practice Guidelines set out by the British Psychological Society or appropriate designated Professional Body. Observe, and abide by all relevant Professional Codes of Conduct and Practice including the British Psychological Society. The post holder will be fully registered with the Health Professions Council as a condition of employment Service Background The strategic aim of this agreement is to secure the provision of a reliable comprehensive Psychological Therapy service to improve the psychological health and wellbeing of the people of North Devon who are served by the 6 Health and Social Care Community Teams and related specialist community health services across Northern Devon (North Devon and Torridge) in relation to their Health and Social Care needs. There is evidence of high levels of psychological need within the population of people who access health and social care community services, both as a result of and as a contributing factor to their presenting issues and needs.
The national evidence also shows that the specialist application of psychological models and of specific psychological therapies can improve clinical outcomes and be cost effective. The provision of psychological care within community health and social care settings is considered an essential component of good professional / clinical practice. Provision of specialist neuropsychological assessments, interventions, reviews and psychological therapies for North Devon patients within health and social care community services will be a key component of the service. There is also a need to facilitate consultation with community health and social care staff within-in order to support them in their support and treatment of those people with long term conditions or end of life care.
This may be in the form of 1-1 discussions with the health or social care professional or team meetings. In addition to this the related community specialist health services require provision of advice and support to other agencies working with patients with neuro-disabilities, e.g. Social care and private care facilities. The Psychology Therapy service will be integrated within the Health and Social Care Community services Northern Devon with the aim of: Providing direct and/or indirect support to people with complex or multiple long term conditions who may require frequent hospital admissions or help from social care staff.
Supporting older adults to live as independently as possible in their preferred or agreed residence within their local community. Detail of Services to be provided The Clinical Psychologist (or equivalent psychological professional) will undertake (at a range of venues, across Northern Devon,) specialist psychological assessment, consultation and intervention services to people who have accessed health and social care and related service and are experiencing problems in relation to challenging behaviours / presentations or psychological distress associated with their health conditions or social care needs. The Psychologist will take referrals from rehab clinicians, allied health professionals, and social care professionals, via the 6 Complex Care Team Co-ordinators. The psychology service will work in partnership with other health and social care professionals to provide; a holistic approach to care.
liaise with community health and social care team leads to monitor referral flow determine priorities. provide a resource for other staff working within rehabilitation services, including supervisory groups and individual consultation. The service will provide timely psychological assessment; treatment, advice and brief evidence based therapeutic intervention to health and social care professionals, the individuals referred and their circle of support / significant others as appropriate. The service will provide a mixture of neuropsychological assessment, individual therapeutic work, group work and consultation.
The aforementioned list is a general description of the types of work and would therefore not exclude other interventions that could be appropriate and cost effective to provide within the auspices of this agreement. Where significant mental health problems in addition to the referred health and social care needs are identified, the service will facilitate signposting and referral to local Mental Health Services. The psychology clinical notes will be stored in the appropriate patient record systems held within the local health and Social Care Teams in line with Northern Devon Healthcare Trust and/or Devon County Council Policies. Operational Guidelines & Key Performance Indicators for the Service (2 days per week, 0.4 WTE note that this role forms half of the overall service.
Where numbers of contacts are specified, these relate to the entire service of 0.8 WTE) The clinical service will be delivered to inpatients and outpatients at North Devon District Hospital and within the patients residence as required. The service will be required to: Manage an anticipated minimum caseload of 80 patients per annum. There should be the aim to assess 1 new client every week, with a minimum of 30 new clients assessed in the service per year Provide a minimum of 10 direct (with client) and indirect (consultation with NDHT Professional, Attendance at Client MDT/safeguarding meeting etc) client contacts per week. Contact defined as 15 minutes or more and is inclusive of Clinical Psychology Trainee contacts Work towards a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks (Waiting times measured from the date of referral to 1st appointment).
Provide outcome data and user satisfaction data using a QOL measure and appropriate psychological measures as determined by the clinician and agreed with the authorised Officer for H&SC Community Services, The Service User Satisfaction questionnaire should be available to no less than 80% of patients The service will move towards using the NDHT MDT notes for all clients and notes will meet professional standards. All appointments should be reconciled within 24 hours of the client contact. Aim to complete clinical assessment and discharge letters and other reports within two weeks of clinical activity. Aim to complete a basic, brief risk assessment of all new referrals for recording in local records and provide basic risk assessments for communication to Mental Health Services during the referral process.
There should be regular documentation audit of clinical records, carried out with the line manager The service should work towards a maximum nonattendance rate (DNA) of 10% Governance & Activity reporting and monitoring will be carried out as follows: Clinicians will monitor and maintain activity data on local NDHT dashboard as required Monthly activity data report. NDHT to email this to the DPT line manager on a monthly basis for reporting to the DPT Governance Board. Quarterly line management meetings carried out jointly with DPT and NDHT Information regarding supervision, absence, appraisal, training, continual professional development, client feedback and service achievements will be monitored and recorded by DPT and available to NDHCT at quarterly meetings. This will be recorded on a monthly basis by the clinicians and the DPT line manager.
Location of Service: The Psychology service will be delivered: Through clinics held at North Devon District Hospital Patients place of residence This may be subject to change depending on service developments and with the redevelopment of the clinical area

Please refer the Job description for details