Clinical Psychologist
To provide specialist psychological assessments requiring advancedtheoretical and practical knowledge to a broad range of pain patientsincluding inpatients and outpatients, referred to the Pain Team. This will bebased upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of complexdata from a variety of sources including psychological tests, self-reportmeasures, rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations andsemi-structured interviews with patients, family members and others whomay be involved in the patients care.
To formulate and implement specialist psychological intervention plans forthe formal treatment and/or management of a patients physical andpsychological health problems, based upon an appropriate conceptualframework of the patients difficulties employing evidence-based methodsof efficacy, across the full range of health-care settings.To be responsible for implementing a range of psychological interventionsfor individuals, including members of staff, carers, families and groups,within and across teams, adjusting and refining psychological formulations,drawing upon different explanatory models and maintaining a number ofprovisional hypotheses.
To evaluate and decide on treatment options utilising physical andpsychological theoretical and therapeutic models (e.g. systemic, cognitivebehavioural therapy) and highly complex factors, based on pastpsychological and mental health history and ongoing psychologicaldevelopmental processes that have shaped the individual, family or group.
To decide upon appropriate courses of action (consulting as appropriatewith supervisor / peers) and exercise autonomous professionalresponsibility for the assessment, treatment and discharge of patientswhose problems are managed by psychologically based treatment plansaccording to a professional code of conduct.
To provide specialist psychological advice, guidance and consultation toother professionals contributing directly to a patients formulation, diagnosisand treatment plan. To facilitate a psychologically based framework of understanding and careto the benefit of all patients of the service, across all settings and agenciesserving the patient group.
To undertake risk assessment and risk management for individual patientsand to provide advice to other professions on psychological aspects of riskassessment and risk management. To advise on psychological management and reviewing psychological carefor the individual with their family, carers, referring agents and othersinvolved in the network of care.
To communicate highly complex information in a highly developed, skilledand sensitive manner (respectful of patient confidentiality as appropriate)concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of patientsand their families/carers.
This is to include situations that may present withhostility and high emotion or that involve overcoming major barriers toacceptance, and to monitor and review progress during the course of bothuni- and multi-disciplinary care. To provide clinical assessment and therapy which will involve sitting still forsubstantial periods of time requiring intense concentration and which mayinvolve exposure to aggression and highly emotive or distressing situations.To work face-to-face without staff nearby and with the associated risk ofdealing with people with mental health problems such as aggression andself-neglect.
This is in addition to the regular hazards of seeing inpatients,including exposure to infectious agents (such as MRSA) and offensiveodours. To have an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of clinical healthpsychology services provided by the NHS and other agencies for patientswith a broad range of health difficulties including cancer, pain managementand trauma.Teaching, Training, and Supervision In common with all Clinical Psychologists, to receive regular clinicalprofessional supervision in accordance with good practice guidelines froma more senior Clinical Psychologist. To continue with the development (and recording) of acquiring highlyspecialist experience and skills relevant to areas of interest in clinicalpsychology and/or the service through protected CPD (as agreed followingBPS/DCP guidelines up to one session per week pro rata).
To undertake and continue developing skills in the teaching/training ofpsychologically related workshops to health professionals as appropriateon a range of related clinical topics on an individual or group basis. To contribute to, and continue developing skills, in the teaching/training ofpsychologically related workshops to patients e.g. back in action course.Pain management programme. To contribute to the pre- and post-qualification teaching of clinical and/orcounselling psychology as appropriate.
Management, Recruitment, Policy and Service Development To participate as a clinician in the development, evaluation and monitoringof the psychology/pain teams operational policies and services, throughthe deployment of professional skills in research, service evaluation andaudit.To support the working practices of non-clinical staff (students andpostgraduates) within the framework of the service policies andprocedures. To participate, as appropriate, in the shortlisting and interviewing processas a member of the interview panel for assistant and trainee clinicalpsychologists.
Research and Service Evaluation To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to supportevidence based practice in individual work and work with other teammembers. To undertake appropriate research and provide research advice to otherstaff undertaking research.
To undertake project management, including complex audit and serviceevaluation, with colleagues within the service to help develop serviceprovision. To work in collaboration with Universities as appropriate.