Specialist Child Clinical/Counselling/Health Psychologist

at  Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Please refer to Job Description and Person Specification for full details The post holder exercises full responsibility and autonomy for the psychological assessment, psychological treatment and discharge of children and young people referred to the Paediatric Diabetes Psychology Service, and their carers and families, where the presenting difficulties and concerns can be managed as a psychologically based intervention. They are required to act as case coordinator/lead professional for children and young people under the care of the service. The post holder provides psychological input to countywide multi-disciplinary ULHT Paediatric diabetes clinics. They also provide the individualised psychological input required where there are specific concerns identified about psychological and/or emotional issues for the child, young person and/or carers regarding the diagnosis and management of the child / young persons diabetes.
The post holder develops and provides a range of specialist psychology assessments and interventions/intervention packages for children and young people and their carers and families referred to the Paediatric Diabetes Psychology Service. The ability to provide assessment and intervention whilst working jointly with other professionals and in group settings is required. Specific areas of expertise include: working with children and young people and their families with complex medical and psychological needs including learning difficulties; working with children and young people and their families experiencing difficulties managing type 1, type 2 or MODY diabetes, working with children and young people and their families with multiple medical diagnoses or comorbid physical and mental health or developmental diagnoses, psychological assessment and planning for a change in medical treatment e.g. insulin pump therapy, and supporting young people with health conditions and families with life transitions e.g.
to secondary school or moving away from home. The post holder carries out specialist developmental assessments, psychometric and cognitive assessments with children and young people when required as part of paediatric psychology assessments and interventions. The post holder has the experience and ability to deliver at least three of the following specialist therapies: systemic family approaches solution focused approaches narrative therapy compassion focused therapy acceptance and commitment therapy behaviour therapy cognitive-behavioural therapy motivational interviewing The post holder is able to deliver interventions using the following methods: psychoeducation creative and play based methods mindfulness relaxation and visualization techniques group therapy The post holder devises and facilitates therapeutic and educational groups as required as part of the treatment approach, and inputs to the planning and delivery of ULHT delivered activity days and residential group activities for children with type 1 diabetes. The post holder inputs to development of psychological aspects of the education curriculum for paediatric diabetes that is delivered by the diabetes team.
The post holder exercises full responsibility for communicating on a regular basis with staff from the diabetes team and other services and individuals involved with patients, taking into account guidance on client confidentiality. The post holder provides specialist psychology expertise, knowledge, advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals working both within and outside LPFT and ULHT, contributing directly to the formulation of an understanding of a childs / young persons presenting difficulties and the development of an evidence based intervention plan. The post holder contributes psychological expertise to the medical decision making process as regards treatment options for individuals and their families where appropriate. The post holder undertakes complex risk assessments and risk management for individual patients and provides advice to the diabetes team and other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and risk management

Please refer the Job description for details