Principal Psychologist for Waltham Forest Psychiatric Liaison Service

at  NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting secondment opportunity has arisen to join the Psychiatric Liaison Service in Waltham Forest, within the Acute and Rehabilitation Directorate of NELFT. We are looking for a dynamic Principal Clinical or Counselling Psychologist to take up an innovative and exciting leadership post with the Psychiatric Liaison Service, based at Whipps Cross University Hospital. This will involve working with inpatients across the medical wards, ICU and A&E among other areas.

Clinical Skills

• To act as an autonomous, registered psychologist who is legally and professionally accountable for own unsupervised actions guided by the professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines and protocols.
• The post holder will have professional HCPC registration.
• To deliver clinical input to high risk cases, that is of a high quality and is evidence-based, utilising psychological theory.
• To be responsible, and accountable, for service delivery to clients/ patients.
• To be able to assess and develop plans of care to meet the complex needs of patients with a variety of presentations but all of whom present with high levels of risk.
• To ensure practice is supported by research, evidence based practice, literature and peer review.
• To cover other tasks as necessary which are consistent with the role of a Principal Psychologist

AIM OF THE ROLE:

The expectation of this post holder will be to support their team, department and organisation to achieve the Trust’s Values in their day-to-day work. These are the 5P’s:

• Putting people first
• Prioritising quality
• Being progressive, innovative and continually improve
• Being professional and honest
• Promoting what is possible – independence, opportunity and choice

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Skills

• To act as an autonomous, registered psychologist who is legally and professionally accountable for own unsupervised actions guided by the professional code of conduct and Trust guidelines and protocols.
• The post holder will have professional HCPC registration.
• To deliver clinical input to high risk cases, that is of a high quality and is evidence-based, utilising psychological theory.
• To be responsible, and accountable, for service delivery to clients/ patients.
• To be able to assess and develop plans of care to meet the complex needs of patients with a variety of presentations but all of whom present with high levels of risk.
• To ensure practice is supported by research, evidence based practice, literature and peer review.
• To cover other tasks as necessary which are consistent with the role of a Principal Psychologist.

Leadership

• To participate in the development of an effective team and the development of productive working relationships throughout the Trust.
• To facilitate the development of a positive and ‘supportive’ team culture by taking responsibility for dealing effectively with potential conflict.
• To participate in the audit process, linking in with the clinical governance agenda.
• To advise, encourage and share knowledge utilising the latest research and practice development, through literature and peer reviews.
• To lead on research projects as relevant for the post and in agreement with senior professional leads.

Computer/ Administration

To be computer literate and encourage implementation of the Trust’s IM&T Strategy.

• To ensure accurate recording of actions, and updating patient’s records, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• To take part, and assist, in the planning and administration relating to day to day running of the caseload.

Communication

• To have a wide range of knowledge in approaches to communicating and managing patient care.
• To be able to effectively communicate with colleagues, peers, senior managers and clinical leads within the Trust.
• To be able to communicate complex service user related information facilitating positive outcomes and ensuring collaborative working.
• Participate in the review and development of clinical policies and identifies improvements to service provision.

To provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information where there might be barriers to acceptance from the service user, carers and families or other professionals resulting in a hostile or highly emotive atmosphere. This might be working with interpreters or advocates and so requires ensuring the safe management of everyone within the system.

Teaching, Training and Supervision

• To act as mentor to qualified psychologists and trainees, providing effective education, facilitating their development and promoting high standards of care.
• To ensure own continued professional development and support a culture of lifelong learning in self and others.
• To undertake, and assist, in the planning of own mandatory training and workshops and those for others in the team.
• To undertake a regular appraisal, developing a personal development plan that includes clinical competencies reflecting the health needs of the local population and relates to Trust strategy.
• To support new staff and their integration within the team.
• To support training as part of the role including changes to professional development and implementation of new policies and guidelines.