Job Description

Psychology or Psychotherapy specialist post in Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders. The TDS specialises in the assessment and treatment of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative disorders. We are a national specialist service offering consultations, assessments, second opinions and new forms of treatment for people with complex presentations. The TDS is part of the Psychological Medicine Older Adults Directorate (PMOA). The service takes referrals from senior clinician's only (e.g. Heads of Service and CMHTs) nationally and locally and Self-Funded referrals.



To provide a highly specialist psychotherapy/psychological therapy assessment service to patients with PTSD, complex PTSD and dissociative disorders as well as associated psychological difficulties. This includes specialist assessment, second opinion assessments, outreach assessments, care planning, implementation and producing assessment reports. To co-facilitate Sensorimotor Groups. To offer individual therapy (using a variety of therapeutic models as required by the service). To contribute to enabling other staff, service users and carers from diverse backgrounds to

flourish by working to create a psychologically safe environment.

To undertake service evaluation, audit and research. To work as an autonomous professional within BACP/UKCP/BPC/APC/HCPC/BABCP guidelines

and codes of conduct and guided by principles and policies or procedures of the service, taking

responsibility for interpreting policies within defined parameters.

To agree outcomes/results with clinical/professional lead and to decide how they are best

achieved.



The staff are based at the Maudsley Hospital with some remote working. The staff team consists of a Consultant Psychiatrist, Principle Clinical Psychologist, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Honorary Therapists, Business Manager and administrator.

Key Responsibilities:

KR 1 Clinical and Client Care

To provide highly specialist psychotherapy/psychological therapy assessments, second opinions, and group/individual therapy for clients in the PTSD/Trauma pathway nationally including NICE recommended therapies and other relevant interventions. This may include: psychological stabilisation, EMDR, Tf-CBT, Sensorimotor Therapy, experience of relational based therapies appropriate for complex PTSD, experience of individual and group work. To provide culturally appropriate psychological or psychotherapeutic interventions with carers or families of referred clients when required. To assess and monitor risk and draw up appropriate risk management plans. To provide reports, including relevant formulation, opinion and interventions, in order to inform referrers and, where appropriate, service users and their families. To select and deliver evidence-based specialist therapeutic interventions, drawing from a spectrum of ideas and models, monitoring outcome and modifying and adapting interventions as necessary, based on the highly complex factors concerning historical and developmental processes that have shaped the individual, couple, family or group. To promote psychological support for carers (or families as appropriate) of referred clients. To act as the keyworker taking responsibility for initiating planning and reviewing care plans as appropriate.

KR 2 Contributing to team or service clinical functioning

To contribute to the effective working of the team or service and to a psychotherapeutically informed framework for the service. To contribute to the team or service's delivery of accessible and acceptable services to diverse local communities. To be proactive in challenging discrimination and support the development of culturally competent services. To advise other members of the service on specialist psychotherapeutic care of patients. To liaise with referrers, GPs and other professionals concerned with clients in order to develop and review care plans. To utilise theory, evidence-based literature and research to support evidence based practice and/or currently understood best practice-based evidence, in individual work and work with other team members. To liaise with the service/s MDT and other professionals.

KR 3 Policy and service development

To implement policies and procedures in own area of work, and to propose improvements or beneficial changes. To contribute to service development through undertaking and participating in appropriate projects. To contribute to the consultation and engagement of service users in planning and delivering services which meet the needs of local communities.

KR 4 Care or management of resources

To take care of, and use carefully, the Trust's equipment and physical resources. To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed. To ensure the cleanliness and safe functioning and use of equipment that will be used by clients or other persons. To monitor and advise clients on the safe use of materials and processes. To ensure adequate confidential and safe storage for artefacts produced during the therapy process in line with professional guidelines. To be responsible for obtaining, storing and maintaining all materials and equipment for the provision of therapy in work setting within budgetary constraints. To ensure that the post-holder has sufficient resources by estimating future needs and requesting or ordering supplies as needed. To identify any aspects of the service within own service area, which need to be improved and to advise service and professional managers accordingly. To authorise client travel expenses (if required)

KR 5 Management and supervision

To be responsible for the allocation and/or clinical supervision of the work of more junior psychological practitioners with support from a more senior practitioner when necessary. To supervise trainee psychological practitioners within own area of specialism having completed the relevant Supervision Training when necessary. To contribute to the appraisal of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate. To contribute to the recruitment of more junior psychological practitioners as appropriate. Consultation as required by service need, such as phone call advice to potential referrers or other enquiries to the service.

KR 6 Teaching and Training

To undertake occasional teaching and training of pre and post- qualification psychological practitioners, and specialised training to other professions as appropriate. To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills base within the service by maintaining an active awareness of current developments in psychological therapy and by implementing knowledge gained in practice. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles. To disseminate research and service evaluation findings through presentations and published articles.

KR 7 Record-keeping and Information Governance

To ensure that all information generated by own work is recorded as required by Trust policies and local procedures. To maintain the highest standards of clinical record keeping and report writing, according to professional and Trust guidelines, including electronic data entry.

KR 8 Research and development

To initiate, undertake, support and supervise regular complex service evaluation and audits. To provide expertise in a specialist research area which will contribute to the pathway for PTSD/Trauma. To initiate and implement the development of outcome measurement and assessment and assist other staff in the implementation of same.

KR 9 Maintaining professional standards and continuing professional development

To receive regular clinical and professional supervision from a more senior psychotherapist/psychological therapist according to BACP/UKCP/APC/BPC/HCPC /BABCP and Trust guidelines. To ensure own Continuing Professional Development in line with BACP/UKCP/APC/BCP/HPCP/BABCP and Trust Personal Development Plan requirements. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current developments in professional and clinical practice and of relevant legislation and policies. To comply with BACP//UKCP//APC/BCP/HCPC/BABCP Standards of Ethics and Proficiency, and ensure professional development in line with these. To adhere to the BACP/UKCP/APC/BPC/HCPC/BABCP. Professional Practice Guidelines and Trust policies and procedures.

KR10 General

To travel to Trust premises for service meetings, training, home visits as appropriate and when required. To be aware of risk relating to aggressive and challenging behaviour amongst the client group, and follow trust policies relating to its management. * To respond appropriately and professionally to emotionally distressing situations and to support others involved in such situations.