Practitioner Psychologist in Neurofibromatosis
Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it.Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’.Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS.We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
Are you a psychologist who loves diversity in your work in clinical health? Are you keen to join a friendly, neurology-led MDT and use your skills to support patients who are living with visible difference, pain, and the uncertainty of a long-term condition?
This is a part time permanent post working in the Neurofibromatosis Service. It is an interesting and rewarding role, working with patients aged 16+ and their families, who have Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), type 2 (NF2), or Schwannomatosis.We offer support for a range of issues from concerns about appearance, pain, uncertainty about the future, and cognitive difficulties as well. You will work with an 8a lead psychologist, embedded in a large and friendly MDT with particularly close working with our specialist nurses, social worker and physiotherapist.
We offer interventions including CBT, ACT and some systemic work, face-to-face or virtually, with flexibility around the timing and length of the intervention. The clinical team is led by neurologists, with neurosurgeons, ENT, psychiatry, plastic surgery, ophthalmology and genetics, so there is scope to develop your knowledge and skills, and the psychology contribution to this team is really valued.
Alongside clinical work this role offers the chance to oversee service audit and evaluation, research, teaching and staff support, as well as supervise students from our partner universities.
Main duties of the job
In joining our team you will offer evidence-based interventions to patients with NF1, NF2 or Schwannomatosis, whose condition is impacting on their mental health and quality of life. You’ll be embedded in the NF team, so the role can include consultation, teaching and joint work.The psychology service collects outcome data, so you’ll be encouraged to do regular audits, to answer specific research questions and make the case for further developments. The team itself is passionate about service improvement so you will be able to collaborate on initiatives such as developing more transition resources, and encouraging a broad range of patients to come to our service-user forum every month – depending on your own interests.
Some of our patients have specific learning difficulties, Learning Disability and sensory and mobility impairments, so you’ll be supported to adapt your way of working to best meet their needs.- An interest in brain-behaviour relationships and some experience of working with people with cognitive difficulties is helpful.
- We are looking for someone with:
- Good clinical skills in more than one therapeutic approach
- An interest in brain and behaviour relationships
- Confidence in working with and consulting to other professionals in the MDT
- An ability to adapt and be creative to meet the sensory and cognitive needs of our patients and families
- A flexible approach to how psychological interventions can be delivered as part of a busy and multi-factorial clinic
Working for our organisation
The NF service is one of two UK national centres for NF1, and four for NF2, with patients coming from a wide geographical area. We are a close team, with most of the professions sharing office and clinical space, and we have excellent admin support.The service is led by neurologists and takes a holistic approach to patient care, with patients able to see doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers in the one setting. The psychologists play a role in supporting the main neurology clinics, being available for short and ad hoc chats with patients and families as well as consulting other team members, and we run our own clinics and groups as well, with support from the rest of the team.
We contribute to national and international NF networks so there are many opportunities to collaborate with colleagues from other centres and to attend meetings worldwide. The wider Trust has a large and well-connected psychology workforce and CPD is encouraged so you will also be able to enhance your own practice via professional development and contact with other psychologists across the Trust.We also value our individual team members and try to ensure you have chances to meet your own development needs and progress your career as part of your work with us.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached documents for a full job description and person specification.
Clinical- To provide evidence-based psychological assessments and interventions for patients and families using the NF service.
- To work as an independent and autonomous professional within British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) guidelines and Trust policies and procedures taking full responsibility for own work within the service.
- To select and administer specialist psychological assessments (including psychometric measures, self-report measures as appropriate), structured observations, clinical interviews and to interpret and integrate this highly complex data.
- To formulate psychological treatment plans which are specific to the client, based upon the evidence gathered and drawing on appropriate theoretical models.
- To deliver evidence-based psychological treatments within the service, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions drawing on a range of theoretical opinions.
- To assess and monitor risk, draw up appropriate risk management plans and escalating where necessary according to Trust policy.
- To work effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.
- To review the literature and develop guided self-help resources for patients with NF.
- To provide specialist psychological consultation and supervision to colleagues and others and to contribute to a psychologically-informed framework within the service.
- To communicate skilfully, tactfully and sensitively highly complex and sensitive information with patients, relatives and colleagues, both orally and in writing.
- To work empathetically and sensitively with patients, relatives and colleagues, particularly in highly emotive situations.
- To conduct staff support and reflective practice groups at regular intervals, as agreed with senior team members.
- To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry and recording.
- To initiate, attend and record regular clinical supervision, and use this and other support services to manage the complex and at times emotionally-challenging nature of the work.
- To ensure that all services provided are acceptable and accessible to the diverse communities which make up the service.
- Undertake other appropriate duties to meet the needs of the service, patients and carers, and the wider Trust.
- To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a senior psychologist according to HCPC, BPS and Trust guidelines.
- To undertake continuing professional development (CPD) in line with HCPC requirements and BPS guidelines, and to take responsibility for identifying training needs and opportunities that are appropriate to the role.
- To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the NF team by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychology and by contributing to teaching, training and staff development programmes accordingly.
- To provide advice, consultation, training and supervision to staff working with NF patients within the Trust.
- To provide supervision for the psychological work of other multi-disciplinary staff as appropriate.
- To provide clinical and/or research supervision for specific pieces of psychological work undertaken by assistant psychologists under the direction of a more senior psychologist, and work towards joint supervision of trainee psychologists.
- To develop and consolidate clinical research skills relevant to work with patients affected by NF and their families through personal development plans agreed with the manager.
- To maintain up-to-date knowledge of current developments in the field and of legislation and policies relevant to this work.
- To examine independently and critically all aspects of work to ensure they comply with the British Psychological Society’s Code of Conduct and Trust policies and procedures.
- To contribute to the development and improvement of the service through generating ideas and participating in projects, under supervision from a more senior psychologist and other members of the team.
- To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users.
- To participate in clinical governance initiatives as agreed by the service.
- IT and information resources
- To be competent in the use of relevant and appropriate Trust IT systems and software (e.g. record-keeping and patient booking software, general word-processing, spreadsheet and statistical software).
- To use technology appropriately (e.g. Skype, text messaging) to make the service accessible to a wide range of patients, for example those who live far away and those who have difficulty hearing.
- To undertake literature reviews and carry out research relevant to the service and client population and provide advice, consultation and supervision to other staff undertaking these.
- To participate in the audit cycle of the post-holder’s and the wider service by identifying service standards, systematically evaluating clinical outcomes, collating results, disseminating findings and implementing change as needed.
- To contribute to the development of outcome measurement and participate in the implementation of the use of same.
- To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through service feedback, published articles and presentations both within the team and at relevant UK and international NF meetings.
- To use theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence-based practice in own work and in work with other team members.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Post graduate doctorate or its equivalent in Clinical, Health or Counselling Psychology, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
Experience
Essential criteria- Delivering evidence-based interventions to adults with physical health problems, with a range of complexities and psychological needs.
- Working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Working with patients with a neurological condition and/or caregivers.
- Delivering structured psycho-educational group sessions to patients and/or caregivers.
- Working with people with visual or hearing impairment.
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Practitioner-level knowledge of cognitive behavioural therapy and at least one other model of psychological therapy appropriate to adults, and knowledge of the theoretical and evidence base for them.
- Specialist knowledge relevant to working in a neurological setting, such as commonly-used neurological terms and a basic understanding of brain-behaviour relationships (e.g. the functional specificity of different brain/spinal regions and the potential consequences of damage to those regions)
Skills
Essential criteria- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, including communicating complex, highly technical and sensitive information to clients, families and colleagues.
- Conducting clinically-relevant research and audit.
- Competence in consultancy to other staff groups.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service.We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.
Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."