Job Description

The principal purpose of the job is to improve the psychological health & wellbeing of people with Eating Disorders and their support network with particular focus on early interventions. This will be achieved in this post by: 1. Providing a psychological service to CEDS in Devon as a key component of integrated mental health and wellbeing services to DPT and to community mental health services. 2.



Implements specific assessments, clinical care, psychological interventions, and providing advice and consultancy to clients, family members, carers and professionals under the supervision and management of Professional Lead and line manager. 3. The post holder will be supported by senior colleagues within CEDS. The post holder will be expected to make good use of the expertise of others within the service to further develop their clinical skills with this client group 4.



The post holder will support and provide guidance to other assistant psychologists as required within the team 5. To work independently within a defined managed and occupational context. To work within professional guidelines and DPT procedures and protocols 6. The post holder will receive 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.



7. The post holders role will be conducted in accordance with a value system of person-centered care, the enhancement of client autonomy, social inclusion and dignity. Supervision To take part in regular clinical supervision provided by the service clinical psychologist. In addition to the above to take part in group and peer supervision and reflective practice as required.

Teaching and Training:

To undertake relevant training as might be required to maintain an appropriate level of expertise. To deliver teaching and training for other members of the multidisciplinary team and staff in other agencies, in collaboration with or under the guidance of qualified clinical psychologists. To assist in the production of materials used for the purpose of teaching, training and group work. Research and Audit To assist with the audit and evaluation of the service including focus groups as required in collaboration with qualified clinical psychologists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.



To carry our literature searches and reviews as required. To participate in audit and personal review activities as required. Duties and Responsibilities Communication and Working Relationship Skills Clients, family and carers: To communicate in a highly skilled and sensitive manner with clients who may have specific difficulties in understand and/or communicating and who may be hostile, antagonistic or highly emotionally disturbed. Multidisciplinary team colleagues: To work closely with colleagues in the multi-professional integrated mental health and wellbeing service on a day to day basis.

Health & social care staff:

To communicate with a wide range of health & social care staff in hospital and in community settings in a skilled and sensitive manner, complex and sensitive information concerning the assessment, formulation and treatment plans of clients under the services care. To provide support & guidance in the application of psychological principles and techniques, and to foster reflective practice. Senior managers & professional staff: To maintain and build good working relationships with senior professional staff and managers in Eating Disorder Services and in DPT, to foster a positive approach to the integrated mental health and wellbeing service and to enable effective negotiation. Analytical and Judgemental Skills To be able to integrate complex data and make evaluation and formulations decisions.



Planning and Organisational Skills To plan and prioritise own workload, balancing the demands of patient care, support and guidance of carers and professionals, and service research and development activities. To provide psychology knowledge to the multi-professional planning, development and marketing of mental health and wellbeing services Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy Assessment & intervention: To make assessments, and deliver treatment plans within a supervised context for individuals, carers, families and groups, and to demonstrate awareness of diversity issues. Consultation & guidance: To provide advice, guidance and consultation on psychological aspects of patient care to colleagues, other service providers, patients, supporters and families. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation The post holder is responsible for their own professional actions, acting within Trust policies and procedures and Professional Practice Guidelines, working within clearly defined occupational procedures.



To follow policy guidance in own role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments. Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources Careful use of equipment. Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management Leadership & supervision: To assist the work of less experienced assistants &/or trainees as required.



To provide supervision to health and social care colleagues. Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To maintain accurate records To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication. Responsibility for Research and Development To undertake service-relevant research and development activity agreed within the Eating Disorder Service, and to organise personal or service led R & D activities as required. Freedom to Act Undertakes standard operating procedures, and is available for reference.



Shall work within guidelines for the service and will receive regular supervision. Any Other Specific Tasks Required To ensure all clinical care and treatment provided by psychologists is carried out under appropriate supervision and leadership. To ensure that all psychologists continuously update the skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work.