Job Description

We are seeking a Highly Specialist Clinical/ Counselling Psychologist to work in the Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service in Barking & Dagenham. This post is a fixed term, full-time 8a role, covering a maternity leave. An interest in and experience working with trauma and psychosis is required.



You would join a well-established and supportive EIP service for people aged between 14-65 who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis and their families. You would work alongside an 8b Clinical Psychology Pathway lead and lead for Trauma Informed Care across the NELFT EIP teams, an 8a and Band 7 psychologists and an assistant psychologist who offers a carers wellbeing package. You would work closely with MDT colleagues, offering support on psychological approaches to working with psychosis.



The team offer NICE concordant care, including an emphasis on access to CBT and Family Interventions for psychosis (FIp), and trauma focused interventions where appropriate, particularly using NET and EMDR. The role offers numerous supervision opportunities, including individual, group FIp and specialist trauma supervision. The trust has strong links with UCL, UEL and Royal Holloway clinical psychology courses. The post holder would be supported to participate in teaching and research opportunities should they wish.



The NELFT EIP teams have a community psychology lead, and you would have opportunities to develop strategies to improve the experience of racially minoritised clients.



This post will suit an enthusiastic clinical/counselling psychologist with an interest in developing their skills in applying evidence-based psychological therapies for people with psychosis and complex trauma, and their families.



Additional responsibilities include participation in supervision focused on evidence based interventions for psychosis; routine collection of outcome measures and outcome monitoring; supporting our assistant psychologist who offers a well-being and support package to carers; supervision of trainee psychologists where appropriate; supporting the multidisciplinary team to work in psychologically informed ways, and contributing to service evaluation projects, with a particular focus on addressing racial inequalities. There are numerous CPD opportunities and the successful candidate will be supported to develop their own area of interest within early intervention in psychosis.



Our Values 2025 - 2030



Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.

They are:

We are kind.



We are respectful.



We work together with our communities.



These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.



Probationary Period



This post will be subject to a probationary period.



NELFT place great importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks, including mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop in sessions focussing in engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.



High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London



This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of 4,313 to a maximum of 5,436 p.a. pro rata for part time).



High Cost Area Supplement - Fringe



This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 5% of the basic salary (with a minimum of 1,192 to a maximum of 2,011 p.a. pro rata for part time).



ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING



1. Provide specialist psychological assessments to service-users referred to the NELFT Early Intervention in psychosis service based upon the appropriate use, interpretation and integration of highly complex, sensitive and data.



2. Provide assessments of the needs of families and carers of service users referred to EI team.



Undertake risk assessment and risk management for relevant individual clients and provide both general and specialist advice for psychologists and other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management.



4. To provide specialist diagnostic psychometric and cognitive testing where appropriate



To formulate evidence-based treatment plans, based on sound and current theoretical knowledge and good practice.



6. Make highly skilled evaluations and decisions about a range of treatment options taking into account both theoretical and therapeutic models and highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, family, or group.



7. To involve service users and their careers in planning and delivery of care.



INTERVENTIONS AND TREATMENTS



1. To provide psychological intervention to service users referred to the EI service and their families and carers.



2. To provide interventions in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based practice.



PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT



Ensure that own knowledge and skills are constantly updated.

Actively participate in clinical supervision.

Be aware of the KSF outline for the post and develop and maintain a portfolio of evidence for KSF review meetings.

Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within the agreed time scale.

Attend mandatory training as required.



HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY



1. Take steps to maintain the safety and welfare of staff and patients in all clinical environments.



2. Annually attend the mandatory fire lecture and be familiar with the fire drill.



3. To comply with the safe manual handling of patients and loads. Is conversant with and promotes correct Manual Handling procedures.



4. You are required to make positive efforts to maintain your own personal safety and that of others by taking reasonable care, carrying out requirements of the law and following recognised codes of practice. You are also required to be aware of and comply with Trust policies on health and safety, etc.



5. Must be aware of the standard procedure to prevent and control infection.



SERVICE IMPROVEMENT



1. Work alongside service users and carers/relatives to continually work towards improving and maintaining high standards.



2. To initiate and develop new ideas and methods in consultation with senior psychologists in the service.



3. Participate in research, audit reviews and other initiatives in accordance to Clinical Governance.



4. Actively contribute to the development and review of policies and procedures based upon best practice.



5. To provide clinical skills to the multi-disciplinary team to support psychologically minded practice across the service.



6. To actively seek user feedback and ensure that such feedback is used to enhance and develop service delivery.



7. To actively participate in the setting of quality standards, including auditing, monitoring and reviewing treatment interventions and outcomes.



8. To assist in the development and implementation of service policies and procedures.



9. To support the team in understanding and value others' roles and contributions. To enable others to contribute effectively, acknowledging the nature of and context of their work, sharing and taking account own and others' knowledge and skills, and differences in working and professional practice.



QUALITY



1. To understand and practice all relevant Trust and local policies and procedures.



2. Raise quality issues and related risks with team manager or senior manager.



3. Evaluate the quality of own work, making improvements when necessary.



4. Have a good understanding of the Trust's Service User Led Standards and how it impacts on the performance of their team.



5. Be responsible for ensuring that accurate legible records are kept in accordance with Trust policies and legal requirements.



6. Report all complaints and or incidents in accordance with Trust procedures and ensure that the line manager is informed.



7. Cooperate with any investigation within the Trust.



8. To contribute to the operation of the Care Programme Approach process ensuring a full and comprehensive assessment including risk, the development of a care plan and reviews.



9. To be responsible for the management and prioritization of own work.



10. To participate in the setting of clinical standards of care in line with Clinical Governance.



11. To ensure all clinical policies and procedures are adhered to.



12. Assist in ensuring clinical audit becomes part of everyday practice.



EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY



1. To actively identify full range of needs pertaining to equality and diversity issues that may arise for service users and their carers.



2. Ensure equality and diversity issues are reflected in the course of clinical practice and in carrying out all other duties pertaining to the post.



3. To be aware of any religious/cultural needs of service users and ensure this is reflected in the care that is provided.



4. To treat service users, relatives and carers with dignity and respect at all times.



5. To act in a way which facilitates service users rights to make their own decisions and also recognise their responsibilities



6. Ensure that service users are aware of the support available to them to aid their recovery.



INFORMATION COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS



1. To collect and collate information effectively using a set of systems and consistent with legislation, policies and procedures



2. Reports the data / information clearly in the required format at the time agreed



LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT



1. To undertake a role in supporting the learning and development of multi-disciplinary colleagues.



DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION



1. To identify new developments that may enhance own work or the work of others



2. To critically evaluate and review these developments



3. To propose the adoption of relevant developments within own work